How will the Classification Authority Block change when a document is ready for declassification?

When a document is ready for declassification, it is standard practice for a new declassification block to be added that reflects the specific date of declassification. This new block serves as an official acknowledgment that the sensitivity of the information has expired, thereby allowing it to be accessed by individuals who do not have the requisite clearance.

Introducing a declassification block not only provides transparency about when the document can be released but also helps in maintaining organized records of classified materials. This practice ensures that users can easily see which documents have transitioned from a classified status to an unclassified one.

In contrast, other options do not accurately reflect the procedures involved in handling classified information. For example, keeping the existing block unchanged would create confusion over the status of the document. Changing only the OCA's name would fail to communicate the declassification status fully, and updating the date of creation does not pertain to the process of declassification itself. Thus, the addition of a new declassification block with a specific date is the correct procedure when a document transitions to an unclassified status.