The three stages of a records lifecycle are: creation (or receipt), maintenance and use, and disposition.

Stage 1: Creation or Receipt

This is when a record is first generated or received by an organization, such as an email, contract, invoice, or report. At this point it is captured, classified, and stored so it can be identified and retrieved when needed.

Stage 2: Maintenance and Use

In this stage the record is actively used to support operations, decisions, or compliance, and may be updated, moved, or accessed frequently. Controls during this period focus on ensuring the record remains accurate, accessible, and protected while it has ongoing business value.

Stage 3: Disposition

Disposition is the final stage, where records are either securely destroyed once their retention period ends or transferred to an archives for long‑term preservation if they have enduring value. This stage reduces storage and legal risk while ensuring that historically or legally important records remain available.