[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 22, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 22CFR9.7]

[Page 35]
 
                       TITLE 22--FOREIGN RELATIONS
 
                     CHAPTER I--DEPARTMENT OF STATE
 
PART 9--SECURITY INFORMATION REGULATIONS--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 9.7  Classification authority.

    (a) In the Department of State authority for original classification 
of information as ``Top Secret'' may be exercised only by the Secretary 
of State and those officials delegated this authority in writing, by 
position or by name, by the Secretary or the DAS/CDC, as the senior 
official, on the basis of their frequent need to exercise such 
authority. Normally these will not be below the level of Deputy 
Assistant Secretary in the Department; or Chief of Mission, Charge 
d'Affairs, or principal officer at an autonomous consular post overseas.
    (b) Authority for original classification of information as 
``Secret'' may be exercised by officials with Top Secret authority, the 
Administrator of AID, and the Director of USIA. This authority may be 
delegated to such subordinate officials as the senior official in the 
Department, the administrator of AID or the Director of USIA may 
designate in writing, by position or by name, on the basis of their 
frequent need to exercise such authority. Normally, these will not be 
below the level of office director, section head (in a mission abroad), 
country public affairs officer, or equivalent.
    (c) Authority for original classification of information as 
``Confidential'' may be exercised by officials with Top Secret or Secret 
classification authority, and the President of the Overseas Private 
Investment Corporation; and may be delegated to such subordinate 
officials as the senior official in the Department, the Administrator of 
AID, the Director of USIA, or the President of OPIC may designate in 
writing, by position or by name, on the basis of their frequent need to 
exercise such authority.
    (d) Delegated original classification authority at any level may not 
be redelegated.
    (e) In the absence of an authorized classifier, the person 
designated to act for that official may exercise the classifying 
authority.
    (f) In the Department of State the Classification/Declassification 
Center, and in AID and USIA the Office of Security, shall maintain a 
current listing, by classification designation, of the positions or 
officials carrying original classification authority. The listing shall 
be reviewed as needed to ensure that such delegations have been held to 
a minimum, and that officials so designated have a continuing need to 
exercise such authority.