How long does it take to get FOIA information?

Time Limits Under the law, all federal agencies are required to respond to a FOIA request within 20 business days, unless there are “unusual circumstances.” This time period generally begins when the request is received by the FOIA office of the Department of Justice component that maintains the records sought.

Where do I send FOIA request?

Then, send your request by:

Fax at 816-350-5785;
Email; or.
Mail to. National Records Center (NRC) FOIA/PA Office. P.O. Box 648010. Lee’s Summit, MO 64064-8010.

How long does a FOIA request take online?

These can be processed in one to five workdays. Normal – These are usually processed in six to twenty workdays. Complex – requests that involve the entire contents of a case file, or that require extensive search, review, referral, consultation, and analysis. These can be processed in twenty-one to sixty workdays.

Can anyone file a FOIA request?

Any person can file a FOIA request, including U.S. citizens, foreign nationals, organizations, universities, businesses, and state and local governments. Federal employees may not use government time or equipment when requesting information under the FOIA.

Can you FOIA yourself?

The answer is yes. You can file a FOIA request on yourself using the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act. You can write a request letter or fill out an online request form if the agency provides one. After you finish writing the letter, you should submit it to the government agency that has your records.

What material can be excluded from the information released by a FOIA request?

The exemption covers two broad categories of information in federal agency records: (1) trade secrets; and (2) information that is (a) commercial or financial, and (b) obtained from a person, and (c) privileged or confidential.

How do I give myself a FOIA?

You can file a FOIA request on yourself using the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act. You can write a request letter or fill out an online request form if the agency provides one. After you finish writing the letter, you should submit it to the government agency that has your records.

Can you submit a FOIA request over the phone?

How do I make the FOI request? All requests under the Act have to be made in writing and be legible. You can’t phone a public authority to make an FOI request. The request itself doesn’t have to say it is a request under the Freedom of Information Act, but this may help authorities to be confident that it is.

What are ways to make a FOIA request?

For your request to be dealt with according to the Freedom of Information Act, you must:

contact the relevant authority directly;
make the request in writing, for example in a letter or an email.
give your real name; and.
give an address to which the authority can reply.

Can a federal agency make a FOIA request?

According to the FOIA’s general disclosure provision, 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(3), all records not covered by the specific disclosure provisions of 5 U.S.C. Therefore, information requests from agencies within the executive branch of the federal government cannot be considered to be formal FOIA requests.

How much does the FOIA cost?

The FOIA permits HHS to charge fees to FOIA requesters. For noncommercial requesters, HHS may charge only for the actual cost of searching for records and the cost of making copies. Search fees usually range from about $23 to $83 per hour, depending upon the salary levels of the personnel needed for the search.

What can be FOIA D?

A FOIA request can be made for any agency record. You can also specify the format in which you wish to receive the records (for example, printed or electronic form). The FOIA does not require agencies to create new records or to conduct research, analyze data, or answer questions when responding to requests.