Administrative Record

An administrative record is the collection of materials an agency considered or relied on when making a decision. When a court reviews certain agency actions, it often examines the administrative record to determine whether the agency followed the law and gave a reasoned explanation. The record’s contents depend on the type of decision and applicable review rules.

Example: In Citizens to Preserve Overton Park v. Volpe (1971), the Supreme Court reviewed a federal transportation decision and discussed the materials needed for judicial review of the agency’s action.

Common misconception: The administrative record always includes every document an agency possesses. It generally concerns the materials relevant to the decision under review, subject to the applicable legal standard.

Sources: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-401/pdf/USREPORTS-401-402.pdf; https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/court-role-and-structure