50 U.S.C. 1803 FISA · Chapter 36: FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE
50 U.S.C. 1803 FISA: Designation of judges
United States Code, current through Public Law 119-136 (October 22, 2026). Retrieved 30 October 2026.
Official text
Court to hear applications and grant orders; record of denial; transmittal to court of review
The Chief Justice of the United States shall publicly designate 11 district court judges from at least seven of the United States judicial circuits of whom no fewer than 3 shall reside within 20 miles of the District of Columbia who shall constitute a court which shall have jurisdiction to hear applications for and grant orders approving electronic surveillance anywhere within the United States under the procedures set forth in this chapter, except that no judge designated under this subsection (except when sitting en banc under paragraph (2)) shall hear the same application for electronic surveillance under this chapter which has been denied previously by another judge designated under this subsection. If any judge so designated denies an application for an order authorizing electronic surveillance under this chapter, such judge shall provide immediately for the record a written statement of each reason for his decision and, on motion of the United States, the record shall be transmitted, under seal, to the court of review established in subsection (b).
(A) The court established under this subsection may, on its own initiative, or upon the request of the Government in any proceeding or a party under section 1861(f) 1 of this title or paragraph (4) or (5) of section 1881a(i) of this title, hold a hearing or rehearing, en banc, when ordered by a majority of the judges that constitute such court upon a determination that—
en banc consideration is necessary to secure or maintain uniformity of the court’s decisions; or
the proceeding involves a question of exceptional importance.
Any authority granted by this chapter to a judge of the court established under this subsection may be exercised by the court en banc. When exercising such authority, the court en banc shall comply with any requirements of this chapter on the exercise of such authority.
For purposes of this paragraph, the court en banc shall consist of all judges who constitute the court established under this subsection.
Court of review; record, transmittal to Supreme Court
The Chief Justice shall publicly designate three judges, one of whom shall be publicly designated as the presiding judge, from the United States district courts or courts of appeals who together shall comprise a court of review which shall have jurisdiction to review the denial of any application made under this chapter. If such court determines that the application was properly denied, the court shall provide for the record a written statement of each reason for its decision and, on petition of the United States for a writ of certiorari, the record shall be transmitted under seal to the Supreme Court, which shall have jurisdiction to review such decision.
Expeditious conduct of proceedings; security measures for maintenance of records
Proceedings under this chapter shall be conducted as expeditiously as possible, and hearings shall be transcribed. The record of proceedings under this chapter, including applications made, transcriptions of hearings, and orders granted, shall be maintained under security measures established by the Chief Justice in consultation with the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence. Transcriptions and any related records, including testimony and affidavits, shall be stored in a file associated with the relevant application or order.
Tenure
Each judge designated under this section shall so serve for a maximum of seven years and shall not be eligible for redesignation, except that the judges first designated under subsection (a) shall be designated for terms of from one to seven years so that one term expires each year, and that judges first designated under subsection (b) shall be designated for terms of three, five, and seven years.
Jurisdiction and procedures for review of petitions
Three judges designated under subsection (a) who reside within 20 miles of the District of Columbia, or, if all of such judges are unavailable, other judges of the court established under subsection (a) as may be designated by the presiding judge of such court, shall comprise a petition review pool which shall have jurisdiction to review petitions filed pursuant to section 1861(f)(1) 1 or 1881a(i)(4) of this title.
Not later than 60 days after March 9, 2006, the court established under subsection (a) shall adopt and, consistent with the protection of national security, publish procedures for the review of petitions filed pursuant to section 1861(f)(1) 1 or 1881a(i)(4) of this title by the panel established under paragraph (1). Such procedures shall provide that review of a petition shall be conducted in camera and shall also provide for the designation of an acting presiding judge.
Stay of order
A judge of the court established under subsection (a), the court established under subsection (b) or a judge of that court, or the Supreme Court of the United States or a justice of that court, may, in accordance with the rules of their respective courts, enter a stay of an order or an order modifying an order of the court established under subsection (a) or the court established under subsection (b) entered under any subchapter of this chapter, while the court established under subsection (a) conducts a rehearing, while an appeal is pending to the court established under subsection (b), or while a petition of certiorari is pending in the Supreme Court of the United States, or during the pendency of any review by that court.
The authority described in paragraph (1) shall apply to an order entered under any provision of this chapter.
Establishment and transmittal of rules and procedures
The courts established pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) may establish such rules and procedures, and take such actions, as are reasonably necessary to administer their responsibilities under this chapter.
The rules and procedures established under paragraph (1), and any modifications of such rules and procedures, shall be recorded, and shall be transmitted to the following:
All of the judges on the court established pursuant to subsection (a).
All of the judges on the court of review established pursuant to subsection (b).
The Chief Justice of the United States.
The Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate.
The Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.
The Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives.
The Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.
The transmissions required by paragraph (2) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
Compliance with orders, rules, and procedures
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to reduce or contravene the inherent authority of a court established under this section to determine or enforce compliance with an order or a rule of such court or with a procedure approved by such court.
Amicus curiae
Designation
The presiding judges of the courts established under subsections (a) and (b) shall, not later than 180 days after June 2, 2015, jointly designate not fewer than 5 individuals to be eligible to serve as amicus curiae, who shall serve pursuant to rules the presiding judges may establish. In designating such individuals, the presiding judges may consider individuals recommended by any source, including members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, the judges determine appropriate.
Authorization
In general
A court established under subsection (a) or (b), consistent with the requirement of subsection (c) and any other statutory requirement that the court act expeditiously or within a stated time—
shall appoint one or more individuals who have been designated under paragraph (1) to serve as amicus curiae to assist such court in the consideration of any application for an order or review that, in the opinion of the court, presents a novel or significant interpretation of the law, unless the court issues a finding that such appointment is not appropriate;
may appoint one or more individuals or organizations to serve as amicus curiae, including to provide technical expertise, in any instance as such court deems appropriate or, upon motion, permit an individual or organization leave to file an amicus curiae brief; and
shall appoint one or more individuals who have been designated under paragraph (1) to serve as amicus curiae to assist such court in the consideration of any certification or procedures submitted for review pursuant to section 1881a of this title, including any amendments to such certifications or procedures, if the court established under subsection (a) has not appointed an individual under clause (i) or (ii), unless the court issues a finding that such appointment is not appropriate or is likely to result in undue delay.
Expertise
In appointing one or more individuals under subparagraph (A)(iii), the court shall, to the maximum extent practicable, appoint an individual who possesses expertise in both privacy and civil liberties and intelligence collection.
Timing
In the event that the court appoints one or more individuals or organizations pursuant to this paragraph to assist such court in a proceeding under section 1881a of this title, notwithstanding subsection (j)(1)(B) of such section, the court shall issue an order pursuant to subsection (j)(3) of such section as expeditiously as possible consistent with subsection (k)(1) of such section, but in no event later than 60 days after the date on which such certification, procedures, or amendments are submitted for the court’s review, or later than 60 days after the court has issued an order appointing one or more individuals pursuant to this paragraph, whichever is earlier, unless a judge of that court issues an order finding that extraordinary circumstances necessitate additional time for review and that such extension of time is consistent with the national security.
Qualifications of amicus curiae
Expertise
Individuals designated under paragraph (1) shall be persons who possess expertise in privacy and civil liberties, intelligence collection, communications technology, or any other area that may lend legal or technical expertise to a court established under subsection (a) or (b).
Security clearance
Individuals designated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be persons who are determined to be eligible for access to classified information necessary to participate in matters before the courts. Amicus curiae appointed by the court pursuant to paragraph (2) shall be persons who are determined to be eligible for access to classified information, if such access is necessary to participate in the matters in which they may be appointed.
Duties
If a court established under subsection (a) or (b) appoints an amicus curiae under paragraph (2), the amicus curiae shall—
be limited to addressing the specific issues identified by the court; and
provide to the court, as appropriate—
legal arguments that advance the protection of individual privacy and civil liberties of United States persons;
information related to intelligence collection or communications technology; or
legal arguments or information regarding any other area relevant to the issue presented to the court.
Assistance
An amicus curiae appointed under paragraph (2)(A) may request that the court designate or appoint additional amici curiae pursuant to paragraph (1) or paragraph (2), to be available to assist the amicus curiae.
Access to information
In general
If a court established under subsection (a) or (b) appoints an amicus curiae under paragraph (2), the amicus curiae—
shall have access to any legal precedent, application, certification, petition, motion, or such other materials that the court determines are relevant to the duties of the amicus curiae; and
may, if the court determines that it is relevant to the duties of the amicus curiae, consult with any other individuals designated pursuant to paragraph (1) regarding information relevant to any assigned proceeding.
Briefings
The Attorney General may periodically brief or provide relevant materials to individuals designated pursuant to paragraph (1) regarding constructions and interpretations of this chapter and legal, technological, and other issues related to actions authorized by this chapter.
Classified information
An amicus curiae designated or appointed by the court may have access to classified documents, information, and other materials or proceedings only if that individual is eligible for access to classified information and to the extent consistent with the national security of the United States.
Rule of construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the Government to provide information to an amicus curiae appointed by the court that is privileged from disclosure.
Notification
A presiding judge of a court established under subsection (a) or (b) shall notify the Attorney General of each exercise of the authority to appoint an individual to serve as amicus curiae under paragraph (2).
Assistance
A court established under subsection (a) or (b) may request and receive (including on a nonreimbursable basis) the assistance of the executive branch in the implementation of this subsection.
Administration
A court established under subsection (a) or (b) may provide for the designation, appointment, removal, training, or other support for an individual designated to serve as amicus curiae under paragraph (1) or appointed to serve as amicus curiae under paragraph (2) in a manner that is not inconsistent with this subsection.
Receipt of information
Nothing in this subsection shall limit the ability of a court established under subsection (a) or (b) to request or receive information or materials from, or otherwise communicate with, the Government or amicus curiae appointed under paragraph (2) on an ex parte basis, nor limit any special or heightened obligation in any ex parte communication or proceeding.
Compensation
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a court established under subsection (a) or (b) may compensate an amicus curiae appointed under paragraph (2) for assistance provided under such paragraph as the court considers appropriate and at such rate as the court considers appropriate.
Review of FISA court decisions
Following issuance of an order under this chapter, a court established under subsection (a) shall certify for review to the court established under subsection (b) any question of law that may affect resolution of the matter in controversy that the court determines warrants such review because of a need for uniformity or because consideration by the court established under subsection (b) would serve the interests of justice. Upon certification of a question of law under this subsection, the court established under subsection (b) may give binding instructions or require the entire record to be sent up for decision of the entire matter in controversy.
Review of FISA court of review decisions
Certification
For purposes of section 1254(2) of title 28, the court of review established under subsection (b) shall be considered to be a court of appeals.
Amicus curiae briefing
Upon certification of an application under paragraph (1), the Supreme Court of the United States may appoint an amicus curiae designated under subsection (i)(1), or any other person, to provide briefing or other assistance.
Designation of counsel for certain applications
To assist the court in the consideration of any application for an order pursuant to section 1804 of this title that targets a United States person, the presiding judge designated under subsection (a) shall designate one or more attorneys to review such applications, and provide a written analysis to the judge considering the application, of—
the sufficiency of the evidence used to make the probable cause determination under section 1805(a)(2) of this title;
any material weaknesses, flaws, or other concerns in the application; and
a recommendation as to the following, which the judge shall consider during a proceeding on the application in which such attorney is present, as appropriate—
that the application should be approved, denied, or modified;
that the Government should supply additional information in connection with such application; or
that any requirements or conditions should be imposed on the Government for the approval of such application.
Removal or suspension of Federal officers for misconduct before courts
An officer or employee of the United States Government who engages in intentional misconduct with respect to proceedings before the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court or the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review shall be subject to appropriate adverse actions, including, at minimum, suspension without pay or removal, up to and including termination.
Notes in the official text
- (1) See References in Text note below.
Source: United States Code, title 50, published by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives (uscode.house.gov), release point 119-136. The editorial and statutory notes are not reproduced.
Source credit: ( Pub. L. 95-511, title I, § 103 , Oct. 25, 1978 , 92 Stat. 1788 ; Pub. L. 107-56, title II, § 208 , Oct. 26, 2001 , 115 Stat. 283 ; Pub. L. 108-458, title I, § 1071(e) , Dec. 17, 2004 , 118 Stat. 3691 ; Pub. L. 109-177, title I , §§ 106(f)(1), 109(d), Mar. 9, 2006 , 120 Stat. 197 , 205; Pub. L. 110-55, § 5(a) , Aug. 5, 2007 , 121 Stat. 556 ; Pub. L. 110-261, title I, § 109(a) –(b)(2)(A), (c), (d), title IV, § 403(a)(1)(B)(ii), July 10, 2008 , 122 Stat. 2464 , 2465, 2474; Pub. L. 111-259, title VIII , §§ 801(2), 806(a)(2), Oct. 7, 2010 , 124 Stat. 2746 , 2748; Pub. L. 114-23, title IV, § 401 , June 2, 2015 , 129 Stat. 279 ; Pub. L. 115-118, title I , §§ 101(b)(2)(A), 106, title II, § 205(a)(1), (b)(1), Jan. 19, 2018 , 132 Stat. 8 , 13, 21, 22; Pub. L. 118-49 , §§ 5(b), (c), 8(a), 17(a), Apr. 20, 2024 , 138 Stat. 868 , 869, 874, 884.)
50 U.S.C. 1803 on the Office of the Law Revision Counsel
United States Code, current through Public Law 119-136 (October 22, 2026). Retrieved 30 October 2026.
This is reference material, not legal advice.