Transparency Tools
How to File a FOIA Request
A practical guide to the Freedom of Information Act — the steps to file a request, a copy-and-paste letter template, the nine exemptions, and where to send your request.
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) gives any person the right to request records from federal executive-branch agencies. You do not need to be a citizen, a journalist, or explain why you want the records.
How to file a FOIA request, step by step
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Identify the right agency
FOIA applies to federal executive-branch agencies, and each one processes its own requests. Pinpoint the agency (and sub-component) most likely to hold the records.
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Describe the records specifically
Name the record types, date ranges, topics, programs, and people involved. A precise description speeds processing and reduces fees.
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State your fee category and any fee waiver
Indicate whether you are a commercial, news-media, educational, or "other" requester, set a fee limit, and request a fee waiver if disclosure serves the public interest.
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Submit and keep a record
File through the agency's portal, FOIA.gov, email, or mail. Save a copy and note the submission date — the response clock starts then.
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Track, follow up, and appeal
Agencies generally must respond within 20 business days. If your request is denied or ignored, you can file an administrative appeal and ultimately seek judicial review.
Free FOIA request letter template
Copy this template, replace the bracketed fields, and send it to the agency's FOIA office.
[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP] [Email Address] [Date] FOIA Officer [Agency Name] [Agency FOIA Office Address] Re: Freedom of Information Act Request Dear FOIA Officer: Under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552, I request copies of the following records: [Clearly describe the records you seek, including subject matter, date range, names, and record types. Be as specific as possible.] I request that responsive records be provided in electronic format where available. Fee category: I am a [news media / educational / noncommercial scientific / commercial / other] requester. I am willing to pay fees up to $[amount]. Please contact me before incurring charges beyond that amount. Fee waiver: I request a waiver of all fees because disclosure of these records is in the public interest and is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of government operations and is not primarily in my commercial interest. If any portion of this request is denied, please cite the specific exemption(s) relied upon and release all reasonably segregable non-exempt portions. Please also provide the procedures for appeal. Thank you for your assistance. Sincerely, [Your Name]
Template provided as general guidance. It is not legal advice; agency-specific requirements vary.
The nine FOIA exemptions
FOIA requires disclosure of agency records unless they fall under one of nine statutory exemptions:
- Exemption 1 — Classified national defense and foreign-policy information.
- Exemption 2 — Internal personnel rules and practices of an agency.
- Exemption 3 — Information specifically exempted by another statute.
- Exemption 4 — Trade secrets and confidential commercial or financial information.
- Exemption 5 — Privileged inter- and intra-agency communications (e.g., deliberative process, attorney-client, attorney work product).
- Exemption 6 — Personnel, medical, and similar files whose disclosure would be a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
- Exemption 7 — Records compiled for law-enforcement purposes, where disclosure would cause specified harms.
- Exemption 8 — Information concerning the supervision of financial institutions.
- Exemption 9 — Geological and geophysical information and data, including maps, concerning wells.
Source: Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552, and U.S. Department of Justice FOIA guidance.
Major agency FOIA portals
- FOIA.gov — central portal to submit and track requests across agencies
- FBI FOIPA
- CIA FOIA Reading Room
- U.S. Department of State FOIA
- DOJ Office of Information Policy
- Department of Homeland Security FOIA
- IRS FOIA
- EPA FOIA
Transparency glossary
- FOIA
- The Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552 — the federal records-access law.
- Continuing resolution (CR)
- A temporary funding measure that keeps agencies operating at existing levels when full appropriations have not been enacted.
- Fee waiver
- A request to have FOIA fees reduced or waived when disclosure is in the public interest.
- Glomar response
- An agency reply that neither confirms nor denies the existence of records, used when even acknowledging records would reveal exempt information.
- Administrative appeal
- A request asking an agency to review and reverse a denial before going to court.
- Segregable records
- Non-exempt portions of a record that must be released even when other portions are withheld.
- Proactive disclosure
- Records an agency posts publicly without a request, often in an electronic reading room.
See also the government shutdown tracker and our federal spending analysis.
Gov Transparency Project is not a government website and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any federal agency. This guide is general information, not legal advice.