Which document is used for accountability purposes when retirement records are identified and prepared for federal records centers, staging areas or to transfer records to another organization?

The correct choice is Standard Form 135. This document is specifically designed for the management and transfer of federal records, ensuring proper accountability when records are retired or transferred to different organizations or federal records centers. It serves as a control mechanism to track records and their locations throughout the archival process.

Standard Form 135 provides critical information about the records being transferred, including descriptions, retention periods, and the reasons for retirement. This enables agencies to maintain accurate records of what has been archived and ensures compliance with federal record-keeping regulations.

Other documents, such as AF Form 55 and AF Form 457, are focused on different areas, like safety and hazard reporting, respectively, making them unsuitable for the purpose of record accountability during retirement processes. Standard Form 50 relates to personnel actions, which does not involve the transfer or accountability of record management. Thus, Standard Form 135 is the appropriate choice for the task at hand.