Freedom of Information Act · Public Resource
FederalFOIA.com is a free educational resource dedicated to helping individuals, journalists, researchers, and advocates understand and exercise their rights under the Freedom of Information Act.
Process
Filing a request is simpler than most people expect. Here's the basic flow from identifying what you need through receiving the agency's response.
Determine which federal agency holds the records you're seeking. Each agency processes its own FOIA requests independently.
Describe the records you want with reasonable specificity. Use our free templates to ensure your request is complete and clear.
Submit through the agency's portal, by mail, or via email. Keep records of all correspondence and your submission confirmation.
Agencies have 20 business days to respond. Records may be released in full, partially redacted, or withheld with a stated legal basis.
If records are withheld or you receive no response, you have the right to file an administrative appeal — or seek judicial review.
Guides & Tools
From first-time filers to experienced researchers — practical guides and ready-to-use materials covering every stage of the FOIA process.
Ready-to-customize letter templates for general records, law enforcement files, employment records, and more.
Download Free →Plain-language explanations of all nine FOIA exemptions — what they cover, how agencies use them, and how to challenge improper withholding.
Read Guide →Understand the 20-day response clock, unusual circumstances extensions, expedited processing, and what triggers constructive denial.
View Timelines →News media, educational institutions, and noncommercial requesters may qualify for reduced or waived fees. Learn how to request them.
Learn More →A step-by-step guide to filing an appeal when your request is denied in whole or in part — and what to expect from the process.
Start Appeal Guide →When administrative remedies are exhausted, federal district courts can compel disclosure. An introduction to FOIA litigation fundamentals.
Read Overview →Agency Directory
Direct links to FOIA portals, contact information, and request submission instructions for major federal departments and agencies.
Common Questions
Any person — including citizens, non-citizens, corporations, and organizations — may file a FOIA request with a federal agency. There is no requirement to state a reason or demonstrate a need.
No. The federal FOIA only covers federal executive branch agencies. States have their own open records laws (often called "sunshine laws") that vary significantly by state.
Federal agencies must acknowledge your request within 20 business days. However, actual production of records can take weeks to years depending on the agency and complexity of the request.
Yes. Requests for records about yourself are processed under both FOIA and the Privacy Act of 1974. Invoking both statutes in your request may give you broader access rights.
Records may be withheld under one of nine statutory exemptions, covering areas such as national security, internal personnel rules, trade secrets, law enforcement investigations, and personal privacy.
Agencies may charge for search, duplication, and review. However, fee waivers are available to news media, educational institutions, and others whose requests serve the public interest.
Requesters facing imminent threat to life or safety, or news media with urgency in informing the public, may qualify for expedited processing — moving their request to the front of the queue.
If an agency fails to respond within the statutory deadline, you may file an administrative appeal based on constructive denial — or in some cases, proceed directly to federal district court.
Start with our free template builder — no account required.