Us Code § 3121 - Protection of identities of certain United States undercover intelligence officers, agents, informants, and sources

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 3121 — Protection of identities of certain United States undercover intelligence officers, agents, informants, and sources, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 3121. Protection of identities of certain United States undercover intelligence officers, agents, informants, and sources

(a) Disclosure of information by persons having or having had access to classified information that identifies covert agent

Whoever, having or having had authorized access to classified information that identifies a covert agent, intentionally discloses any information identifying such covert agent to any individual not authorized to receive classified information, knowing that the information disclosed so identifies such covert agent and that the United States is taking affirmative measures to conceal such covert agent's intelligence relationship to the United States, shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both.

(b) Disclosure of information by persons who learn identity of covert agents as result of having access to classified information

Whoever, as a result of having authorized access to classified information, learns the identity of a covert agent and intentionally discloses any information identifying such covert agent to any individual not authorized to receive classified information, knowing that the information disclosed so identifies such covert agent and that the United States is taking affirmative measures to conceal such covert agent's intelligence relationship to the United States, shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.

(c) Disclosure of information by persons in course of pattern of activities intended to identify and expose covert agents

Whoever, in the course of a pattern of activities intended to identify and expose covert agents and with reason to believe that such activities would impair or impede the foreign intelligence activities of the United States, discloses any information that identifies an individual as a covert agent to any individual not authorized to receive classified information, knowing that the information disclosed so identifies such individual and that the United States is taking affirmative measures to conceal such individual's classified intelligence relationship to the United States, shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

(d) Imposition of consecutive sentences

A term of imprisonment imposed under this section shall be consecutive to any other sentence of imprisonment.

(July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title VI, §601, as added Pub. L. 97–200, §2(a), June 23, 1982, 96 Stat. 122; amended Pub. L. 106–120, title III, §304(b), Dec. 3, 1999, 113 Stat. 1611; Pub. L. 111–259, title III, §363(a), Oct. 7, 2010, 124 Stat. 2701.)


Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 421 of this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Amendments

2010—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–259, §363(a)(1), substituted "15 years" for "ten years".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–259, §363(a)(2), substituted "10 years" for "five years".

1999—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106–120, §304(b)(2)(A), substituted "shall be fined under title 18" for "shall be fined not more than $50,000".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 106–120, §304(b)(2)(B), substituted "shall be fined under title 18" for "shall be fined not more than $25,000".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 106–120, §304(b)(2)(C), substituted "shall be fined under title 18" for "shall be fined not more than $15,000".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 106–120, §304(b)(1), added subsec. (d).

About This Section

50 U.S.C. § 3121 is part of Title 50 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 50 U.S.C. § 3121. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 3121

What does United States Code § 3121 cover?

Section 3121 ("Protection of identities of certain United States undercover intelligence officers, agents, informants, and sources") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 3121?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 3121" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 3121 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

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