Records should be kept only as long as they are needed for administrative, legal, and historical purposes. Records that are outdated or no longer needed should be destroyed in such a way that the information cannot be retrieved or reconstructed.
Many countries have enacted data protection laws that regulate the processing of personal data, such as the information that is contained in membership records and other records that identify individuals. To determine the extent to which such laws govern local management of Church records, or to obtain direction in specific instances, leaders may contact the Church data privacy officer at the following email address: dataprivacyofficer@ldschurch.org.
The presiding officer should destroy copies of paper and electronic records relating to a membership restriction immediately after the ward receives an updated membership record or other notification of action on the membership record. If a membership council has imposed a membership restriction, the presiding officer retains the records of the council until the matter is resolved.
The stake or mission president should destroy copies of records relating to the submission of an Application to the First Presidency immediately after a decision is made by the First Presidency.
Financial Records
Also see File and Retain Expense Records.
Historical Records
Records that have potential historical value should not be discarded, destroyed, or placed in the meetinghouse library. Questions about the historical value of records may be addressed to:
Also see Church History Guides.