Provided are techniques for linked record declaration of related content items. A graph of nodes representing content items is generated with edges connecting the nodes and representing relationships between the content items. A content item represented by a node in the graph of nodes is selected. In response to selection of the content item, the edges of the graph of nodes are traversed starting from the selected content item to identify other content items. A record is declared in a records management system for the selected content item and the identified content items. A lifecycle policy is associated with the record. The lifecycle policy is applied to the selected content item and the identified content items when processing the record.