Washington (CNN) Hillary Clinton's office said "nothing nefarious was at play" when the former secretary of state used her personal email address, rather than one provided by the State Department, during her four years as America's top diplomat.

Using personal email as a sole method of communication appears to skirt rules outlined by the National Archives and Records Administration in 2013 - after Clinton left the State Department. The government agency stipulates that personal email can only be used in "emergency situations," and when used, the emails "are captured and managed in accordance with agency record-keeping practices." The New York Times first reported Clinton's exclusive use of a personal email account on Monday night.

After conceding the presidency to Trump in a phone call earlier, Clinton addresses supporters and campaign workers in New York on Wednesday, November 9. Her defeat marked a stunning end to a campaign that appeared poised to make her the first woman elected US president.

Clinton addresses a campaign rally in Cleveland on November 6, two days before Election Day. She went on to lose Ohio -- and the election -- to her Republican opponent, Donald Trump.

Clinton addresses a campaign rally in Cleveland on November 6, two days before Election Day. She went on to lose Ohio -- and the election -- to her Republican opponent, Donald Trump.

Clinton arrives at a 9/11 commemoration ceremony in New York on September 11. Clinton, who was diagnosed with pneumonia two days before, left early after feeling ill. A video appeared to show her stumble as Secret Service agents helped her into a van.

Obama hugs Clinton after he gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. The president said Clinton was ready to be commander in chief. "For four years, I had a front-row seat to her intelligence, her judgment and her discipline," he said, referring to her stint as his secretary of state.

Obama hugs Clinton after he gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. The president said Clinton was ready to be commander in chief. "For four years, I had a front-row seat to her intelligence, her judgment and her discipline," he said, referring to her stint as his secretary of state.

After Clinton became the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee, this photo was posted to her official Twitter account. "To every little girl who dreams big: Yes, you can be anything you want -- even president," Clinton said. "Tonight is for you."

After Clinton became the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee, this photo was posted to her official Twitter account. "To every little girl who dreams big: Yes, you can be anything you want -- even president," Clinton said. "Tonight is for you."

Clinton walks on her stage with her family after winning the New York primary in April.

Clinton walks on her stage with her family after winning the New York primary in April.

Clinton is reflected in a teleprompter during a campaign rally in Alexandria, Virginia, in October 2015.

Clinton is reflected in a teleprompter during a campaign rally in Alexandria, Virginia, in October 2015.

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders shares a lighthearted moment with Clinton during a Democratic presidential debate in October 2015. It came after Sanders gave his take on the Clinton email scandal. "The American people are sick and tired of hearing about the damn emails," Sanders said. "Enough of the emails. Let's talk about the real issues facing the United States of America."

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders shares a lighthearted moment with Clinton during a Democratic presidential debate in October 2015. It came after Sanders gave his take on the Clinton email scandal. "The American people are sick and tired of hearing about the damn emails," Sanders said. "Enough of the emails. Let's talk about the real issues facing the United States of America."

Clinton testifies about the Benghazi attack during a House committee meeting in October 2015. "I would imagine I have thought more about what happened than all of you put together," she said during the 11-hour hearing. "I have lost more sleep than all of you put together. I have been wracking my brain about what more could have been done or should have been done." Months earlier, Clinton had acknowledged a "systemic breakdown" as cited by an Accountability Review Board, and she said that her department was taking additional steps to increase security at U.S. diplomatic facilities.

Clinton testifies about the Benghazi attack during a House committee meeting in October 2015. "I would imagine I have thought more about what happened than all of you put together," she said during the 11-hour hearing. "I have lost more sleep than all of you put together. I have been wracking my brain about what more could have been done or should have been done." Months earlier, Clinton had acknowledged a "systemic breakdown" as cited by an Accountability Review Board, and she said that her department was taking additional steps to increase security at U.S. diplomatic facilities.

Clinton, now running for President again, performs with Jimmy Fallon during a "Tonight Show" skit in September 2015.

Clinton, now running for President again, performs with Jimmy Fallon during a "Tonight Show" skit in September 2015.

Clinton ducks after a woman threw a shoe at her while she was delivering remarks at a recycling trade conference in Las Vegas in 2014.

Clinton ducks after a woman threw a shoe at her while she was delivering remarks at a recycling trade conference in Las Vegas in 2014.

Obama and Clinton bow during the transfer-of-remains ceremony marking the return of four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens, who were killed in Benghazi, Libya, in September 2012.

Obama and Clinton bow during the transfer-of-remains ceremony marking the return of four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens, who were killed in Benghazi, Libya, in September 2012.

Clinton arrives for a group photo before a forum with the Gulf Cooperation Council in March 2012. The forum was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Clinton arrives for a group photo before a forum with the Gulf Cooperation Council in March 2012. The forum was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Clinton checks her Blackberry inside a military plane after leaving Malta in October 2011. In 2015, The New York Times reported that Clinton exclusively used a personal email account during her time as secretary of state. The account, fed through its own server, raises security and preservation concerns. Clinton later said she used a private domain out of "convenience," but admits in retrospect "it would have been better" to use multiple emails.

Clinton checks her Blackberry inside a military plane after leaving Malta in October 2011. In 2015, The New York Times reported that Clinton exclusively used a personal email account during her time as secretary of state. The account, fed through its own server, raises security and preservation concerns. Clinton later said she used a private domain out of "convenience," but admits in retrospect "it would have been better" to use multiple emails.

In this photo provided by the White House, Obama, Clinton, Biden and other members of the national security team receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in May 2011.

In this photo provided by the White House, Obama, Clinton, Biden and other members of the national security team receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in May 2011.

The Clintons pose on the day of Chelsea's wedding to Marc Mezvinsky in July 2010.

The Clintons pose on the day of Chelsea's wedding to Marc Mezvinsky in July 2010.

Clinton, as secretary of state, greets Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during a meeting just outside Moscow in March 2010.

Clinton, as secretary of state, greets Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during a meeting just outside Moscow in March 2010.

Obama is flanked by Clinton and Vice President-elect Joe Biden at a news conference in Chicago in December 2008. He had designated Clinton to be his secretary of state.

Obama is flanked by Clinton and Vice President-elect Joe Biden at a news conference in Chicago in December 2008. He had designated Clinton to be his secretary of state.

Obama and Clinton talk on the plane on their way to a rally in Unity, New Hampshire, in June 2008. She had recently ended her presidential campaign and endorsed Obama.

Obama and Clinton talk on the plane on their way to a rally in Unity, New Hampshire, in June 2008. She had recently ended her presidential campaign and endorsed Obama.

Clinton and another presidential hopeful, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, applaud at the start of a Democratic debate in 2007.

Clinton and another presidential hopeful, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, applaud at the start of a Democratic debate in 2007.

Sen. Clinton comforts Maren Sarkarat, a woman who lost her husband in the September 11 terrorist attacks, during a ground-zero memorial in October 2001.

Sen. Clinton comforts Maren Sarkarat, a woman who lost her husband in the September 11 terrorist attacks, during a ground-zero memorial in October 2001.

Clinton announces in February 2000 that she will seek the U.S. Senate seat in New York. She was elected later that year.

Clinton announces in February 2000 that she will seek the U.S. Senate seat in New York. She was elected later that year.

President Clinton makes a statement at the White House in December 1998, thanking members of Congress who voted against his impeachment. The Senate trial ended with an acquittal in February 1999.

President Clinton makes a statement at the White House in December 1998, thanking members of Congress who voted against his impeachment. The Senate trial ended with an acquittal in February 1999.

The first family walks with their dog, Buddy, as they leave the White House for a vacation in August 1998.

The first family walks with their dog, Buddy, as they leave the White House for a vacation in August 1998.

Clinton looks on as her husband discusses the Monica Lewinsky scandal in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on January 26, 1998. Clinton declared, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman." In August of that year, Clinton testified before a grand jury and admitted to having "inappropriate intimate contact" with Lewinsky, but he said it did not constitute sexual relations because they had not had intercourse. He was impeached in December on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.

Clinton looks on as her husband discusses the Monica Lewinsky scandal in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on January 26, 1998. Clinton declared, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman." In August of that year, Clinton testified before a grand jury and admitted to having "inappropriate intimate contact" with Lewinsky, but he said it did not constitute sexual relations because they had not had intercourse. He was impeached in December on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.

The Clintons dance on a beach in the U.S. Virgin Islands in January 1998. Later that month, Bill Clinton was accused of having a sexual relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

The Clintons dance on a beach in the U.S. Virgin Islands in January 1998. Later that month, Bill Clinton was accused of having a sexual relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

The first lady holds up a Grammy Award, which she won for her audiobook "It Takes a Village" in 1997.

The first lady holds up a Grammy Award, which she won for her audiobook "It Takes a Village" in 1997.

The Clintons hug as Bill is sworn in for a second term as President.

The Clintons hug as Bill is sworn in for a second term as President.

Clinton waves to the media in January 1996 as she arrives for an appearance before a grand jury in Washington. The first lady was subpoenaed to testify as a witness in the investigation of the Whitewater land deal in Arkansas. The Clintons' business investment was investigated, but ultimately they were cleared of any wrongdoing.

Clinton waves to the media in January 1996 as she arrives for an appearance before a grand jury in Washington. The first lady was subpoenaed to testify as a witness in the investigation of the Whitewater land deal in Arkansas. The Clintons' business investment was investigated, but ultimately they were cleared of any wrongdoing.

Clinton accompanies her husband as he takes the oath of office in January 1993.

Clinton accompanies her husband as he takes the oath of office in January 1993.

During the 1992 presidential campaign, Clinton jokes with her husband's running mate, Al Gore, and Gore's wife, Tipper, aboard a campaign bus.

During the 1992 presidential campaign, Clinton jokes with her husband's running mate, Al Gore, and Gore's wife, Tipper, aboard a campaign bus.

In June 1992, Clinton uses a sewing machine designed to eliminate back and wrist strain. She had just given a speech at a convention of the International Ladies' Garment Workers Union.

In June 1992, Clinton uses a sewing machine designed to eliminate back and wrist strain. She had just given a speech at a convention of the International Ladies' Garment Workers Union.

Bill Clinton comforts his wife on the set of "60 Minutes" after a stage light broke loose from the ceiling and knocked her down in January 1992.

Bill Clinton comforts his wife on the set of "60 Minutes" after a stage light broke loose from the ceiling and knocked her down in January 1992.

The Clintons celebrate Bill's inauguration in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1991. He was governor from 1983 to 1992, when he was elected President.

The Clintons celebrate Bill's inauguration in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1991. He was governor from 1983 to 1992, when he was elected President.

Arkansas' first lady, now using the name Hillary Rodham Clinton, wears her inaugural ball gown in 1985.

Arkansas' first lady, now using the name Hillary Rodham Clinton, wears her inaugural ball gown in 1985.

In 1975, Rodham married Bill Clinton, whom she met at Yale Law School. He became the governor of Arkansas in 1978. In 1980, the couple had a daughter, Chelsea.

In 1975, Rodham married Bill Clinton, whom she met at Yale Law School. He became the governor of Arkansas in 1978. In 1980, the couple had a daughter, Chelsea.

Rodham was a lawyer on the House Judiciary Committee, whose work led to impeachment charges against President Richard Nixon in 1974.

Rodham was a lawyer on the House Judiciary Committee, whose work led to impeachment charges against President Richard Nixon in 1974.

Before marrying Bill Clinton, she was Hillary Rodham. Here she attends Wellesley College in Massachusetts. Her commencement speech at Wellesley's graduation ceremony in 1969 attracted national attention. After graduating, she attended Yale Law School.

Before marrying Bill Clinton, she was Hillary Rodham. Here she attends Wellesley College in Massachusetts. Her commencement speech at Wellesley's graduation ceremony in 1969 attracted national attention. After graduating, she attended Yale Law School.

Hillary Clinton accepts the Democratic Party's nomination for president at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 28, 2016. The former first lady, U.S. senator and secretary of state was the first woman to lead the presidential ticket of a major political party.

Hillary Clinton accepts the Democratic Party's nomination for president at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 28, 2016. The former first lady, U.S. senator and secretary of state was the first woman to lead the presidential ticket of a major political party.

Clinton continued to use her personal Blackberry after heading to Foggy Bottom, but broke no laws and never discussed classified information, a Clinton aide said Tuesday.

In a statement from Paul Wester, chief records officer for the archives administration, said that since 2009 - while Clinton served a secretary of state - 'Agencies that allow employees to send and receive official electronic mail messages using a system not operated by the agency must ensure that Federal records sent or received on such systems are preserved in the appropriate agency record-keeping system."

According to the Times report, Clinton's "aides took no actions to have her personal emails preserved on department servers at the time."

Nick Merrill, Clinton's spokesman, told CNN on Tuesday morning that, "like Secretaries of State before her, she used her own email account when engaging with any Department officials."

"For government business, she emailed them on their Department accounts, with every expectation they would be retained," he said in an emailed statement. "When the Department asked former Secretaries last year for help ensuring their emails were in fact retained, we immediately said yes."

A Clinton aide said when the State Department sought to update its records and reached out to all former secretaries of state, Clinton turned over 55,000 pages of emails to the State Department in 2014 -- or nine out of every 10 emails she sent during her tenure. Left out were personal notes.

"So if she emailed with her daughter about flower arrangements for her wedding, that didn't go in, but if she emailed one of the 100 State Department officials she regularly corresponded with, State had it in their servers already" and Clinton's office replicated it, too.

The Clinton aide also compared her use of email as secretary of state to Colin Powell's, who wrote in a book that he installed a laptop with his personal email account in his office.

"I started shooting emails to my principal assistants, to individual ambassadors and increasingly to my foreign-minister colleagues who like me were trying to bring their ministries into the 186,000-miles-per-second world," Powell wrote.

Merrill says her records were kept and turned over to State.

"Both the letter and spirit of the rules permitted State Department officials to use non-government email, as long as appropriate records were preserved," Merrill concluded.

JUST WATCHED GOP revs up anti-Hillary machine Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH GOP revs up anti-Hillary machine 04:03

On Tuesday, Marie Harf, a deputy State Department spokeswoman, said that the department has "no indication that Secretary Clinton used her personal email account for anything but unclassified purposes."

"While Secretary Clinton did not have a classified email system, she did have multiple other ways of communicating in a classified manner, including assistants printing documents for her, secure phone calls, and secure video conferences," Harf added.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest would not say on Tuesday that Clinton broke the law -- referring questions to the State Department -- but did say that "when there are situations where personal e-mail accounts are used, it is important for those records to be preserved consistent with the Federal Records Act."

"The policy as a general matter allows individuals to use their personal e-mail address as long as those e-mails are maintained and sent to the State Department, which if you ask Secretary Clinton's team, that's what they completed in the last month or two," Earnest said.

Democrats have also tried to defend Clinton, nothing that other top government officials have used personal emails in the past. A senior state department official noted on Monday that previous secretaries of state had used personal emails to communicate with staff, including Secretary Colin Powell.

"As a result, our policies are continuing to evolve, including how those policies pertain to leadership officials," the official said. "And we all know that implementing changes in the federal government can be an onerous process."

The National Archives and Records Administration outlined new rules for federal agencies in 2013 that "reaffirm that agencies and agency employees must manage federal records appropriately and protect them from unauthorized removal from agency custody."

This bulletin stipulated that email messages are federal record.

Late last year -- long after Clinton left the State Department -- that President Barack Obama signed an update to the Federal Records Law that clarified how private email was allowed to be used.

Jason R. Baron, a lawyer at Drinker Biddle & Reath and the former director of litigation at the National Archives and Records Administration, said in an interview on Tuesday that is doesn't appear Clinton "violated" the law because "the Federal Records Act is amorphous enough."

Baron did say, however, that the exclusive use of a person email system is out of the ordinary.

"I was in the government for 34 years and in my experience, as director of litigation, I cannot recall an instance where a high level official -- or anyone -- solely used a private email account for the transaction of government business," he said.

Clinton's emails have been at the center of debate around the House's select committee investigating the Benghazi attack that resulted in four dead Americans. Republicans have demanded the State Department hand over emails from Clinton and other top officials. The committee has received some of those emails, but the State Department is still processing the request.

Photos: Hillary Clinton's potential challengers Photos: Hillary Clinton's potential challengers Hillary Clinton's potential challengers – Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has repeatedly said she's not running for president, but the Democrat -- a favorite among progressives -- has been urged to run by populists in her party. A first-term senator elected in 2012, Warren is known for her attempts to take on Wall Street -- both as a senator and as the creator of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau during President Obama's first term. Hide Caption 1 of 5 Photos: Hillary Clinton's potential challengers Hillary Clinton's potential challengers – Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has been laying the groundwork for a potential presidential campaign, headlining 80 fundraisers and 40 campaign events around the country. A two-term governor, his time in office ends in January. The Democrat's resume as governor includes legalizing same-sex marriage, repealing the death penalty and enacting strict gun-control laws. Hide Caption 2 of 5 Photos: Hillary Clinton's potential challengers Hillary Clinton's potential challengers – Vice President Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton faced off in the early 2008 Democratic primaries, and both are weighing 2016 bids. A 2016 run would mark Biden's third bid for president; he also ran in 1988. Before becoming vice president, Biden served as a U.S. senator from Delaware for 36 years. He has already made visits to early primary states this cycle on official White House business. And if Clinton runs, Biden said her decision wouldn't affect his own. Hide Caption 3 of 5 Photos: Hillary Clinton's potential challengers Hillary Clinton's potential challengers – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, has been testing the waters for a 2016 bid. He's hoping to push an agenda that focuses on income inequality, climate change and campaign finance reform. Sanders has already traveled to early primary states such as Iowa and New Hampshire. Hide Caption 4 of 5 Photos: Hillary Clinton's potential challengers Hillary Clinton's potential challengers – Former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb has said he's "seriously looking" into a 2016 bid for the Democratic nomination. Webb left the U.S. Senate at the end of his first term in January 2013. He's a veteran of the Vietnam War who also served as Navy secretary and assistant defense secretary. Hide Caption 5 of 5

Clinton agreed to testify to the committee late in 2014 , according to Democrats on the panel, but Rep. Trey Gowdy, the committee chairman, has said he would wait to call her until all the emails are received.

Jen Psaki, a state department spokeswoman, said in a statement on Monday that ever since the select committee asked for emails, "the State Department has been proactively and consistently engaged in responding to the Committee's many requests," including "providing more than 40,000 pages of documents."

Last year, Psaki said, the department asked former secretaries to "submit any records in their possession for proper preservation," including personal emails used while leader the State Department.

"In response to our request, Secretary Clinton provided the department with emails spanning her time at the department," Psaki said. "After the State Department reviewed those emails, we produced about 300 emails responsive to recent requests from the Select Committee.

The Times also reported that Clinton's personal email account was discovered by Gowdy's House committee when State -- through Clinton -- provided those emails to the committee.

However, Gawker reported in 2013 , based on emails obtained by a Romanian hacker named "Guccifer," that Clinton was using a "clintonemail.com" domain name in emails to advisers and friends.

"When it comes to the Clintons, they want us to disclose everything," Donna Brazile, a longtime Clinton aide, said on CNN. "She has disclosed this information and she has complied."

Republicans have already seized on The New York Times report.

"This latest development raises serious questions," said Michael Short, Republican National Committee spokesman, in a press release, adding it "begs the question: what was Hillary Clinton trying to hide?"

Potential rival Jeb Bush, who recently released thousands of emails from his time as Florida governor, also used the revelation as an opportunity to draw a contrast.

Transparency matters. Unclassified @HillaryClinton emails should be released. You can see mine, here. http://t.co/wZbtwd8O2j — Jeb Bush (@JebBush) March 3, 2015

"Hillary Clinton should release her emails. Hopefully she hasn't already destroyed them," said Bush spokeswoman Kristy Campbell in an email to CNN. "Gov. Bush believes transparency is a critical part of public service and of governing. That's why he recently launched www.jebemails.com ."

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