Abstract: A method for providing access to documents and data files that are inherently valuable, and also documents that contain sensitive information, is configured with robust user identification and document control capabilities and facilitates document submission by, for or on behalf of a user who perhaps is the subject of the document. The document is processed, optionally character recognized and steganographically marked, and is stored in a fixed format together with descriptive identifiers and database indexing values to facilitate control and searching. The level of security encourages users to entrust documents to storage and the system is programmed to control disclosure of documents (or parts of them) according to the user's dictates. Correspondingly strict user identification and document controls apply to those who log on for purposes of document review or serve as authenticators.