Which type of records should not be altered once finalized?

Final records are the definitive versions of documents that have completed the review and approval process. Once finalized, these records are considered official and serve as the authoritative source of information. Altering them can compromise their integrity and reliability, making it difficult to verify the history of decisions or actions taken based on that documentation.

In contrast, draft records are typically works in progress and can undergo multiple revisions before they reach the final stage. Archived records, while important for historical and legal reasons, may still reflect amendments in their ongoing context, but the originals should not be modified after they are designated for archiving. Current records, representing ongoing activities, are subject to change as new information emerges or processes evolve.

Thus, the integrity of final records is paramount in records management, ensuring that they remain unchanged to uphold their authenticity and utility for future reference or legal purposes.