What follows is a subject guide to thousands of FBI files (and their file numbers) that are now publicly accessible. In many cases, these files have never been seen outside the FBI.

This is a transcription of a list developed by the National Archives and Records Administration of “exceptional” FBI files—historic, notable, high-profile, or otherwise interesting cases.

Getting any of the files listed here should be comparatively simple. One of the most complex parts of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process—the search through an agency’s holdings for requested information—can be eliminated because you’re able to provide the FBI’s own file number.

This is not intended to be a comprehensive index to every file the FBI holds. Rather, SECRET NO MORE represents a tiny fraction of FBI files, a tiny fraction even of the files that are accessible under FOIA. The index is a listing of some cases thought to be of historical, social, or journalistic interest.

The alphanumeric file numbers themselves are made up of three components: ­ a location abbreviation, an offense code, and a file number. The location abbreviations indicate the FBI field office (HQ is FBI Headquarters, CG is Chicago, etc.). The investigated offense codes are the first three numbers of the file. The file number provides further internal identification for the file. Here is some background information on FBI jargon and other terms, acronyms, and abbreviations. To obtain FBI files from field offices, write the FBI Field Office directly.

Details on how to obtain these files follow the alphabetical index.