The Rosenholz files ended up with the CIA during the German reunification under unclear circumstances; they were initially analysed by the USA only, but finally returned to Germany in 2003 after long negotiations. The exact reason for the duration of the negotiations is still debated among scholars.

After being returned, the files were checked for mistranslation and other errors by the BStU; since March 2004, the files have been open to the general public and can be viewed following an appropriate request (Antrag auf persönliche Akteneinsicht).

According to the annals of the former Moscow CIA station chief Milton Bearden, the Rosenholz files were not seized on January 15 1990, when demonstrators stormed the Ministry of State Security (GDR) in Berlin, but instead only when former US president George H. W. Bush personally contacted the chief of the Berlin CIA station. Bearden later on lobbied for the return of the Rosenholz files to Germany while CIA station chief in Bonn, and received the Bundesverdienstkreuz for this.

In Finland, the files have caused quite a scandal, having been unexpectedly classified by the Finnish security police (Suojelupoliisi) and described by the press as including the names of some of today's top politicians in Finland.