Section 501.8 - Appeal of initial denial of a request for amendment or correction(a) The initial denial of a request for amendment or correction may be appealed by submitting to the Director the following appeal papers:(1) A copy of the original request for amendment or correction;(2) A copy of the initial denial; and(3) A precise statement of the reasons for the individual's belief that the denial is in error, referring specifically to the criteria contained in § 501.7(c)(1) through (8) .The appeal must be signed by the individual. While these papers normally will constitute the entire Record on Appeal, the Director may add additional information, from sources other than the individual, where necessary to facilitate a final determination. Any such additional information added to the record shall promptly be disclosed to the individual to the greatest extent possible, and an opportunity for comment thereon shall be afforded prior to the final determination. Appeals should be submitted to the Director within 90 days after the date of the initial denial.
(b) The Director shall issue a final determination on appeal within thirty days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) from the date on which a completed Record on Appeal (including any additional information deemed necessary) is received. Review, and final determination by the Director, shall be based upon the criteria specified in § 501.7(c)(1) through (8) .(c) If the appeal is resolved favorably to the individual, the final determination shall specify the amendments or corrections to be made. Copies of the final determination shall be transmitted promptly to the individual and to the Privacy Officer. The Privacy Officer shall make the requested amendment or correction and advise the individual in writing of such action.(d) If the appeal is denied, the final determination shall state, with particularity, the reasons for denial, including a citation to an appropriate section of the Act and of these Rules. The final determination shall be forwarded promptly to the individual, together with a notice which shall inform the individual of his or her right to submit to the Privacy Officer, for inclusion in the record, a concise statement of grounds for disagreement with the final determination. Receipt of any such statement shall be acknowledged by the Privacy Officer, and all subsequent and prior users of the record shall be provided copies of the statement. The notice shall also inform the individual of his or her right, under 5 U.S.C. 552a(g)(1) , to obtain judicial review of the final determination.40 FR 49276, Oct. 21, 1975, as amended at 41 FR 5, Jan. 2, 1976