A farley file is a set of records kept by politicians on people they have met previously.

The term is named for James Aloysius Farley, who was Franklin Delano Roosevelt's campaign manager. Farley, who went on to become the chairman of the Democratic National Committee and a Postmaster General, kept a file on everyone who ever met Roosevelt. Whenever anyone was scheduled to meet again with Roosevelt, Roosevelt would review their file, allowing him to meet them again knowing their spouse, their children's names and ages — anything which had come out of earlier meetings, and any other intelligence Farley added to to file. The effect was powerful, and intimate. James (Jim) Aloysius Farley (May 30, 1888–June 9, 1976) was an American politican who served as head of the Democratic National Committee and Postmaster General. ... Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January 30, 1882–April 12, 1945), 32nd President of the United States, the longest-serving holder of the office and the only man to be elected President more than twice, was one of the central figures of 20th century history. ... Former Vermont Governor Dr. Howard Dean is the current Chairman of the DNC. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is the principal campaign and fund-raising organization affiliated with the United States Democratic Party. ... A Postmaster General is the national politician in charge of the postal system of a country. ...

Such "farley files" are now commonly kept by other politicians and businesspeople.

The late science fiction author Robert Heinlein mentions Farley File in his short novel "Double Star."