{
  "schema_version": "citation-answer/v1",
  "answer_key": "ofac-sdn-list-updates",
  "artifact_slug": "ofac-sdn-list-updates",
  "query": "how often does ofac update the sdn list",
  "citation_slots": 2,
  "canonical_path": "/guides/ofac-sdn-list-updates",
  "title": "How Often Does OFAC Update the SDN List — Dated Answer",
  "description": "OFAC's stated SDN List update cadence — no predetermined timetable — plus the dated download-page observation and published file formats, with limitations.",
  "answer_capsule": "OFAC updates the SDN List on no predetermined timetable; names are added or removed as necessary and appropriate, per OFAC FAQ 20. The official download page showed Last Updated 7/20/2026 when accessed 2026-07-22, and it publishes the list in XML, CSV, fixed-width, and PDF formats, 4 distinct file families.",
  "scope": "This guide covers OFAC's published update cadence for the Specially Designated Nationals List and where the dated files are published. It does not describe any specific designation action, and it does not evaluate any name against the list.",
  "methodology_version": "citation-answer/v1",
  "reproducibility_note": "Re-derive this answer from the cited government file; no Fonteum account is required.",
  "limitations": [
    "The Last Updated value cited here is the value observed on the access date; it moves without a schedule.",
    "This page describes cadence and publication mechanics only, not the contents of any list version.",
    "Nothing on this page is a determination about any person or entity."
  ],
  "related_links": [
    {
      "label": "Who must comply with OFAC sanctions",
      "href": "/guides/ofac-sanctions-compliance"
    },
    {
      "label": "SDN definition",
      "href": "/glossary/sdn"
    },
    {
      "label": "Watchlist definition",
      "href": "/glossary/watchlist"
    }
  ],
  "data_as_of": "2026-07-22",
  "source_artifacts": [
    {
      "source_key": "ofac-faq-20",
      "kind": "upstream",
      "file_name": "OFAC FAQ 20 — How often is the SDN List updated?",
      "file_url": "https://ofac.treasury.gov/faqs/20",
      "publisher": "U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control",
      "published_date": null,
      "retrieved_date": null,
      "data_as_of": "2026-07-22",
      "sha256": null
    },
    {
      "source_key": "ofac-sdn-download",
      "kind": "upstream",
      "file_name": "Specially Designated Nationals List data center",
      "file_url": "https://sanctionslist.ofac.treas.gov/Home/SdnList",
      "publisher": "U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control",
      "published_date": null,
      "retrieved_date": null,
      "data_as_of": "2026-07-22",
      "sha256": null
    }
  ],
  "published_date": "2026-07-22",
  "modified_date": "2026-07-22",
  "sources": [
    {
      "source_key": "ofac-faq-20",
      "name": "OFAC FAQ 20 — How often is the SDN List updated?",
      "publisher": "U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control",
      "official_url": "https://ofac.treasury.gov/faqs/20",
      "source_date_kind": "accessed",
      "source_date": "2026-07-22",
      "limitation": "The FAQ describes update cadence only. It does not describe any specific designation action or the current contents of the list."
    },
    {
      "source_key": "ofac-sdn-download",
      "name": "Specially Designated Nationals List data center",
      "publisher": "U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control",
      "official_url": "https://sanctionslist.ofac.treas.gov/Home/SdnList",
      "source_date_kind": "accessed",
      "source_date": "2026-07-22",
      "limitation": "The download page's Last Updated stamp reflects the file publication observed on the access date and moves without a schedule. A name appearing on or absent from a file is not an identity determination."
    }
  ],
  "facts": [
    {
      "fact_key": "update-cadence",
      "label": "Published update cadence",
      "value": "OFAC FAQ 20: the SDN list is frequently updated; there is no predetermined timetable, and names are added or removed as necessary and appropriate.",
      "source": {
        "source_key": "ofac-faq-20",
        "name": "OFAC FAQ 20 — How often is the SDN List updated?",
        "publisher": "U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control",
        "official_url": "https://ofac.treasury.gov/faqs/20",
        "source_date_kind": "accessed",
        "source_date": "2026-07-22",
        "limitation": "The FAQ describes update cadence only. It does not describe any specific designation action or the current contents of the list."
      }
    },
    {
      "fact_key": "download-page-observation",
      "label": "Dated download-page observation",
      "value": "The SDN data center showed Last Updated: 7/20/2026 when accessed on 2026-07-22, and publishes the full list as XML (standard, advanced, enhanced), CSV, fixed-width, and PDF files with accompanying file signatures and schemas.",
      "source": {
        "source_key": "ofac-sdn-download",
        "name": "Specially Designated Nationals List data center",
        "publisher": "U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control",
        "official_url": "https://sanctionslist.ofac.treas.gov/Home/SdnList",
        "source_date_kind": "accessed",
        "source_date": "2026-07-22",
        "limitation": "The download page's Last Updated stamp reflects the file publication observed on the access date and moves without a schedule. A name appearing on or absent from a file is not an identity determination."
      }
    }
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "question": "Is the SDN List updated daily, weekly, or monthly?",
      "answer": "None of those as a rule. OFAC states there is no predetermined timetable: updates land when designations are added or removed. Consumers who need currency track the download page's Last Updated stamp or OFAC's change notices rather than assuming a cycle."
    },
    {
      "question": "Where is the official SDN List published?",
      "answer": "On OFAC's sanctions-list data center at sanctionslist.ofac.treas.gov, which carries the complete list in XML, CSV, fixed-width, and PDF formats, plus data specifications and file signatures."
    },
    {
      "question": "Does a list download settle whether a specific party is sanctioned?",
      "answer": "No. A file reflects the list as of its Last Updated stamp, and a name match or absence in one file version is not an identity determination. Any conclusion should be scoped to the named file and date checked."
    }
  ]
}