Regulations last checked for updates: Nov 24, 2024

Title 32 - National Defense last revised: Nov 18, 2024
§ 1904.1 - Scope and purpose.

(a) This part sets forth the limits of authority of CIA personnel to accept service of process on behalf of the CIA or any CIA employee.

(b) This part is intended to ensure the orderly execution of the Agency's affairs and not to impede any legal proceeding.

(c) CIA regulations concerning employee responses to demands for production of official information in proceedings before federal, state, or local government entities are set out in part 1905 of this chapter.

§ 1904.2 - Definitions.

(a) Agency or CIA means the Central Intelligence Agency and include all staff elements of the Director of Central Intelligence.

(b) Process means a summons, complaint, subpoena, or other official paper (except garnishment orders) issued in conjunction with a proceeding or hearing being conducted by a federal, state, or local governmental entity of competent jurisdiction.

(c) Employee means any CIA officer, any staff, contract, or other employee of CIA, any person including independent contractors associated with or acting for or on behalf of CIA, and any person formerly having such a relationship with CIA.

(d) General Counsel includes the Deputy General Counsel or Acting General Counsel.

§ 1904.3 - Procedures governing acceptance of service of process.

(a) Service of Process Upon the CIA or a CIA Employee in An Official Capacity—(1) Personal service. Unless otherwise expressly authorized by the General Counsel, or designee, personal service of process may be accepted only by attorneys of the Office of General Counsel at CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia.

(2) Mail service. Where service of process by registered or certified mail is authorized by law, unless expressly directed otherwise by the General Counsel or designee, such process may only be accepted by attorneys of the Office of General Counsel. Process by mail should be addressed as follows: Litigation Division, Office of General Counsel, Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC 20505.

(b) Service of Process Upon a CIA Employee Solely in An Individual Capacity—(1) General. Consistent with section 6 of the CIA Act of 1949, as amended, 50 U.S.C. 403g,CIA,even.

(2) Personal Service. Subject to the sole discretion of appropriate officials of the CIA, process servers generally will not be allowed to enter CIA facilities or premises for the purpose of serving process upon any CIA employee solely in his or her individual capacity. The Office of General Counsel is not authorized to accept service of process on behalf of a CIA employee—except the Director and Deputy Director of Central Intelligence—in his or her individual capacity.

(3) Mail Service. Unless otherwise expressly authorized by the General Counsel, or designee, CIA personnel are not authorized to accept or forward mailed service of process directed to any CIA employee in his or her individual capacity. Any such process will be returned to the sender via appropriate postal channels.

(c) Service of Process Upon a CIA Employee in A Combined Official and Individual Capacity. Unless expressly directed otherwise by the General Counsel, or designee, any process to be served upon a CIA employee in his or her combined official and individual capacity, in person or by mail, can be accepted only by attorneys of the Office of General Counsel at CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia.

(d) The documents for which service is accepted in official capacity only shall be stamped “Service Accepted in Official Capacity Only.” Acceptance of service of process shall not constitute an admission or waiver with respect to jurisdiction, propriety of service, improper venue, or any other defense in law or equity available under the laws or rules applicable to the service of process.

§ 1904.4 - Notification to CIA Office of General Counsel.

A CIA employee who receives or has reason to expect service of process in an individual, official, or combined individual and official capacity, in a matter that may involve testimony or the furnishing of documents and that could reasonably be expected to involve Agency interests, shall promptly notify the Litigation Division, Office of General Counsel (703-874-3118). Such notification should be given prior to providing the requestor, counsel or other representative any Agency information, and prior to accepting service of process.

§ 1904.5 - Authority of General Counsel.

Any questions concerning interpretation of this regulation shall be referred to the Office of General Counsel for resolution.

authority: 50 U.S.C. 403g; 50 U.S.C. 403(d)(3); E.O. 12333 sections 1.8(h), 1.8(i), 3.2
source: 56 FR 41458, Aug. 21, 1991, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 32 CFR 1904.2