Foreign Agent Registration (FARA)
When must someone working for a foreign principal file with the Justice Department, and what happens if they do not?
The Foreign Agents Registration Act requires agents of foreign principals engaged in political or certain other activities to file a registration statement with the Attorney General and disclose the relationship. The Justice Department's National Security Division administers the Act; it may seek a court order compelling registration or prosecute willful violations.
- DecidesDepartment of Justice, National Security Division, FARA Unit.
- First clock10 daysregistration due after becoming an agent
- Precedents31111 taken or upheld1 revoked, set aside or not sustained1 review or procedure
- Statute22 U.S.C. 612, 22 U.S.C. 618
3 precedents, each linked to its primary source; 1 ended with the action revoked, set aside or not sustained.
Statute
- 22 U.S.C. 612Registration statement (FARA)official text as fetched
- 22 U.S.C. 618Enforcement and penalties (FARA)official text as fetched
Implementing Rule
- 28 CFR 5.2FARA: inquiries concerning application of the ActCFR 2025 annual edition
- 28 CFR 5.200FARA: registrationCFR 2025 annual edition
- 90 FR 40Amending and Clarifying Foreign Agents Registration Act Regulations (January 2, 2025)
Timelines
- 10 days
registration due after becoming an agent
“every person who becomes an agent of a foreign principal shall, within ten days thereafter, file with the Attorney General”
- 30 days
NSD response to an advisory-opinion request
“The National Security Division shall respond to any review request within 30 days after receipt of the review request”
- 7 months
supplemental statement due 30 days after each 6-month period
“within thirty days after the expiration of each period of six months succeeding such filing, file with the Attorney General a supplement”
Who Acts
decides, administers, reviews
- Administers
- Department of Justice, National Security Division, FARA Unit.
- Enforces
- Attorney General: civil injunction under 22 U.S.C. 618(f) or criminal prosecution.
- Advises
- NSD issues advisory opinions on request under 28 CFR 5.2.
How a Matter Reaches the Agency
2 steps
- Initiation. The FARA Unit reviews public information and referrals and may send a letter of inquiry. Filings are public in the FARA eFile system.
- Civil route. The Attorney General may ask a district court to order registration or enjoin activity.
Statute and Rule Text
2 quoted clauses, verbatim
“be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000 or by imprisonment for not more than five years, or both”22 U.S.C. 618
“the Attorney General may make application to the appropriate United States district court for an order enjoining such acts”22 U.S.C. 618
Federal Register Cadence
2 notices by year
Precedents
3 precedents
Review or procedure
Amending and Clarifying Foreign Agents Registration Act Regulations Federal Register
Justice Department proposed amendments clarifying FARA regulations and exemptions.
Source Justice Department, “Amending and Clarifying Foreign Agents Registration Act Regulations,” Federal Register 90 (January 2, 2025): 40, doc. 2024-30871. #
Revoked, set aside or not sustained
Attorney General of the United States v. Wynn Opinion, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (govinfo)
D.C. Circuit affirmed dismissal of the Attorney General's suit to compel registration after the alleged agency relationship had ended.
Source Attorney General of the United States v. Wynn (D.C. Cir. 2024). #
Taken or upheld
Attorney General of the United States of America v. Irish Northern Aid Committee Opinion, Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Second Circuit affirmed summary judgment that the committee is an agent of the Irish Republican Army under FARA.
Source Attorney General of the United States of America v. Irish Northern Aid Committee, 668 F.2d 159 (2d Cir. 1982). #