Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

1. Determine whether your request is necessary. Check whether the record you are searching for is already publicly available. The most frequently requested documents are often available on an agency's website in their electronic reading room. Here's an example from the CIA. Here’s a link to the Reading Room at the National Archives. You can also read this 2019 column by Lisa DeLuca in College & Research Libraries News on where to find previously requested FOIA information.


2. Identify the proper federal agency to submit your request to. FOIA.gov hosts a search platform to help identify the proper agency. You can also scan a list of public agencies here: https://foia.wiki/wiki/Agencies_Landing_Page. Each federal agency is a separate entity. There is no central office. You have to figure out if you need information from the Department of Education or whether you are looking for local information about schools. The University of California San Diego created this Guide to federal agency FOIA websites. A subject librarian can help you identify the right agency.


3. Determine how to submit the request. A good place to start is FOIA.gov. Some agencies allow you to submit your request through the FOIA.gov website; other agencies have their own policies. Here's a video with more information.


4. Write the Request. Request only the specific documents you need. If you are requesting immigration records for multiple people, even if they are related, you must submit a separate request for each person's record. You must include:

• a description of the records requested (including subject matter)
• an offer to pay reasonable charges for actual search time and for photocopies
• a statement setting an upper limit on the amount of money you are willing to pay for the agency's response
• a request for response within 20 working days (the statutory deadline absent "unusual circumstances")
• If you are requesting a batch of records, build out a template to plug in words based on the specific request. For example: “I am requesting [INSERT RECORD TYPE i.e: emails, meeting minutes] the [DEPARTMENT, AGENCY, OFFICE, ETC.] has collected on [INSERT SPECIFIC, SEARCHABLE TERM] related to [INSERT TOPIC OF INTEREST]. I aim to obtain records documenting [INSERT MORE CONTEXT/RELEVANT DETAILS ON THE SEARCHABLE TERM] to related to [TOPIC] from [Month Date Year to Month Date Year].”

Sample Request Letters

• Sample of FOIA Request Letter and Appeal Letter (National Freedom of Information Coalition)
• Sample of FOIA Request Letter (First Amendment Coalition)