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FOIA Requests

Online FOIA Request | Sample FOIA Letter

How to Request Records Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

This guide is a simple explanation of how to use the FOIA to request records from the U.S. Government.

Before requesting records under the FOIA, look for it on the Internet. An incredible amount of information is available on thousands of government Web sites, with volumes more being added every day. So, before going to all the trouble of writing and sending a FOIA request, just log on and visit the agency's Web site or search the Internet. Most agency Web sites can be found by entering www.[agencyname].gov (www.gsa.gov, www.usda.gov, etc.).

What agencies are and are not covered by the FOIA?

The FOIA applies to documents created by or in the possession of executive branch agencies including:

• Cabinet agencies
• Military branches
• Government corporations
• Government controlled corporations
• Independent regulatory agencies
• Other executive branch offices and commissions

The FOIA does NOT apply to:

• Any elected official of the US Government (i.e., Congress)
• Officers of the Federal Judiciary Branch (i.e., Judges)
• Private citizens
• Private companies or associations
• Government contractors
• Government grant holders
• State or local governments

What information can be requested under the FOIA? 

Freedom of Information Act Handbook
You may mail, e-mail or fax requests for any records created by or in the possession of an agency. However, certain records are not releasable under a FOIA request if one or more of the following exemptions apply:

1. Classified defense and foreign policy information
2. Internal agency rules and practices
3. Information prohibited from disclosure under other laws
4. Trade secrets and confidential business practices
5. Inter or intra-agency communications protected under law
6. Information involving matters of personal privacy
7. Certain information regarding law enforcement
8. Information on supervision of financial institutions
9. Geological information on wells

To whom should FOIA requests be sent?

FOIA requests must be sent directly to the agency that has the records you want. Other Agencies Contacts R6 FOIA Request Form

How should FOIA information (i.e., records) be requested?

FOIA requests should be made in a letter form and mailed, e-mailed or faxed to the FOIA Officer of the agency.

FOIA Requests:
Adobe PDF File | Word Document Template | Online Form

If mailing, you should also mark both the letter and the outside of the envelope, "Freedom of Information Act Request", to speed its handling by the agency.

It is vital that you identify in the letter the information or records you want as clearly and specifically as possible.

How long does this take?

By law, agencies must respond to FOIA requests within 20 working days of receipt. Agencies may extend this time if necessary, but they must send the requestor written notice of the extension.

Online FOIA Request | Sample FOIA Letter