LibGuides: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA): Requests of Federal Agencies

Context

Federal agencies must offer the public a process for requesting documents.

As you visit the websites of federal agencies, they will offer information on submitting FOIA requests.
You are also encouraged to look at available agency documents to ensure that you are not requesting materials that are already freely available.
Many FOIA request can be submitted through the FOIA.gov website. However, some submissions still have to be done directly through the agency. In short, not all FOIA requests are funneled through a single system.

Below are websites with FOIA information. This list is not exhaustive.

Federal Agency Websites

Federal Bureau of Prisons
A resource for gaining access to the Bureau's public records and information.
National Archives
A reference guide from NARA on accessing records.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service
Information on requesting records from the agency.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Information regarding how to submit FOIA requests at the agency.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Receives the most FOIA request of any U.S. Federal Agency. This site outlines how to search for available record, make a request, submit a request, and check the status. See already released records.
U.S. Department of Justice
FAQs pertaining to the FOIA request process to the DoJ.
U.S. Department of State
Provides information on requesting Dept. of State information including visa records. Requests may also include Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR).
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
Information on submitting FOIA requests through its web portal.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Information on making a FOI or Privacy Act Request.

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Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)