for the record

for the record

1. For the purpose of being recorded, especially when already known.

   I will ask you, for the record, to state your name and address.

   Now, just for the record, you have served time for drug dealing, haven't you?

   • 2004, John N. Maclean, Fire and Ashes: On the Front Lines Battling Wildfires, Henry Holt and Company, →ISBN, page 13:

     During brief courtroom appearances, Pattan restricted his comments for the record to “Guilty, sir” for each of the two counts of the indictment.

2. (by extension) For the purpose of following correct procedure, especially when otherwise redundant and repetitive.

   The court almost certainly knows your answer to this already, but, for the record, do you plea guilty or not guilty?

   I can definitely send you those documents, but you'll need to send the request in writing just for the record.

3. Used to emphasize a point in an attempt to make it known or noticed.

   For the record, I think these policies are weird and unnecessary.