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.
What should I ask for in a FOIA request?
FOIA Tip No. 9: Writing a Good FOIA Request Part II
- Be clear and specific. …
- Make sure your request is reasonable in scope. …
- Provide a date range for records or a date of the event you are researching. …
- Provide accurate titles and full names, and include any news stories discussing the subject of your request.
What can you get under FOIA?
What information is available under the FOIA?
- Classified national defense and foreign relations information.
- Internal agency rules and practices.
- Information that is prohibited from disclosure by another law.
- Trade secrets and other confidential business information.
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.
Why would someone make a FOIA request?
A FOIA request can be used to request federal agency records for which access is currently restricted due to the presence of security-classified or other sensitive information.
Can you do a FOIA request on 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.
How do I write a good FOI request?
Here are my ten top tips on how to make effective, responsible use of FOI.
- Count to ten before clicking ‘Send’ Or better still, sleep on it. …
- Do your research. …
- Take care when making ’round robin’ requests. …
- Try an informal approach first if possible. …
- Be specific. …
- Don’t be greedy. …
- Be polite. …
- Be patient.
Can you FOIA the president?
By its terms, the FOIA applies to “the Executive Office of the President,” 5 U.S.C. § 552(f), but this term does not include either “the President’s immediate personal staff” or any part of the Executive Office of the President “whose sole function is to advise and assist the President.” Meyer v. Bush, 981 F.
When can a FOIA be denied?
Can the FCC deny my FOIA request? Yes. If the Bureau or Office that is the custodian of the records determines that there are no records responsive to your request, or that one or more of the FOIA exemptions described above applies to the documents you request, your request will be denied in writing.
Does FOIA apply to the president?
Because the FOIA applies only to records of the Executive Branch of the federal government, it does not provide access to records held by Congress, the federal courts, advisory offices of the President, state or local government agencies, or by private businesses or individuals.
What are 3 exemptions to privacy check all that apply?
Exemption 1: Information that is classified to protect national security. Exemption 2: Information related solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of an agency. Exemption 3: Information that is prohibited from disclosure by another federal law.
What does Exemption 4 mean on a loan?
Relevantly, Exemption 4 states that “trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from a person and privileged or confidential” will not be released to any third-party request.
Can you FOIA emails?
Most federal agencies now accept FOIA requests electronically, including by web form, e-mail or fax. See the list of federal agencies for details about how to make a request to each agency and any specific requirements for seeking certain records.
Can you request your file from the FBI?
The FBI also has files of individuals, organizations, and businesses currently or previously under investigation. You can request your FBI file through either a Freedom of Information Act Request or a Privacy Act Request. If your request is denied, you can appeal that decision.
How long is FBI FOIA?
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.
What is a foyer request?
×Close. New Request. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal law that gives the public the right to make requests for federal agency records. Agencies may withhold information according to nine exemptions contained in the statute.
Can you FOIA a bank account?
The easiest way to file a FOIA request is electronically using the FDIC’s Electronic Request Form. If you prefer, you can file a request in writing. … All FOIA requests must be received in writing or by using our Electronic Request Form.
How many types of FOIA are there?
For purposes of fees only, the FOIA divides requesters into three categories: Commercial use requesters, • News media, educational, or scientific requesters, and • All other requesters.
How long does a Uscis FOIA request take?
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.
What is an SAR request?
Individuals have the right to access and receive a copy of their personal data, and other supplementary information. This is commonly referred to as a subject access request or ‘SAR’. Individuals can make SARs verbally or in writing, including via social media. … The information should be disclosed securely.
How do you make fois?
If you make a request under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) for access to documents, it must:
- be in writing
- provide a physical or electronic address where we can send our decision.
- provide enough information for us to identify the documents.
- state that the request is under the FOI Act.
Who can make a FOI request UK?
The UK’s Freedom of Information laws do not require the requester to live in, or be a citizen of, the UK. Anyone living anywhere in the world can make a FOI request to public authorities in the UK.
Can you FOIA the White House?
About FOIA
NOTE: The White House Office is a separate component of the Executive Office of the President (EOP). If you wish to request information from the White House Office, you may do so at whitehouse.gov/contact. OSTP does not process FOIA requests for the White House Office.
What happens if a FOIA request is ignored?
If your request is denied, and your internal appeal does not reverse this decision, you may sue the agency in the United State District Court in your state of residence, in the state where the records are located, or in the District of Columbia.
Can you FOIA OMB?
As noted above, OMB has a FOIA Requester Service Center. You can call the FOIA Requester Service Center at: (202) 395-FOIA (3642). The FOIA Requester Service Center is also available to assist you in answering questions that you have about OMB’s response to your request.
Why would a FOIA be denied?
The agency you send a FOIA request to has the right to deny your request. This may happen if one or more of the nine FOIA exemptions apply to the records you wish to access. You may also be denied access to records if the agency determines that no documents are compatible with your request.
How do I check my FOIA status?
To check the status of your FOIA request, please contact the FOIA Requester Service Center of the Treasury Bureau that is processing your FOIA request. If you submitted a request to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, you may check the status of your request online by accessing OCC’s Public Access Link.
What is FOIA 6 exemption?
Exemption 6 protects. information about individuals in “personnel and medical files and similar files” when the. disclosure of such information “would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal. privacy.”3.
What information can be requested under Freedom of Information Act 2000?
The Act covers all recorded information held by a public authority. It is not limited to official documents and it covers, for example, drafts, emails, notes, recordings of telephone conversations and CCTV recordings.
What is the Privacy Act 1974 cover?
The Privacy Act of 1974, as amended to present (5 U.S.C. 552a), Protects records about individuals retrieved by personal identifiers such as a name, social security number, or other identifying number or symbol.
Does FOIA apply to states?
The FOIA does not apply to the Congress, the courts, or the central offices of the White House, nor does it apply to records in the custody of state or local governments. However, all state governments have their own FOIA-type statutes.
What is a routine use?
Routine use means the disclosure of a record without the consent of the subject or subjects, for a purpose which is compatible with the purpose for which the record was collected.
How do you do FOIA DOD?
Four methods are available for submitting FOIA requests:
- Online Form – The preferred method is to submit your request using the FOIAonline platform. …
- Email – Submit your request to foiarequests@dodig.mil.
- Postal Mail or Courier – Submit your request by mailing the required documentation to:
What kinds of information are excluded from the Freedom of Information Act quizlet?
The FOIA exemptions:
- National Security.
- Routine Personnel Records.
- Deference to Other Federal Laws.
- Confidential Commercial Information.
- Internal Agency Discussions.
- Personnel, Medical, or ”Similar” Files.
- Law Enforcement.
- Confidential Data from Financial Institutions.
What does active undisbursed mean SBA?
The Active Un-disbursed status means you were approved for the PPP loan, have signed your contracts, and are waiting for your funds to be dispursed.
Are PPP loans confidential?
“As it relates to the names and amounts of specific PPP loans, we believe that that’s proprietary information,” he said. “And in many cases for sole proprietors and small businesses, is confidential information.” … And the SBA’s website says that company names and loan amounts are public records.
What is commercial information under FOIA?
(a) Definitions – (1) Confidential commercial information means commercial or financial information obtained by the agency from a submitter that may be protected from disclosure under Exemption 4 of the FOIA.
Are text messages FOIA?
Yes, you may remove text messages and conversations that are not federal records or are federal records that are authorized for disposition, unless they are subject to an independent preservation obligation (such as a litigation hold or an active unfulfilled FOIA request).
Can FOIA request text messages?
Texts and Emails in Personal Accounts Can Be Subject to FOIA Disclosure. … The court held that the requested records are public records and, therefore, subject to FOIA disclosure. A record is a public record under FOIA if it meets two criteria. First, the record must pertain to public business rather than private affairs …
Is email address considered a public record?
Personal (non work-related) email is not subject to the public records law, even if it is made or received on a public computer or email system. Most public agencies allow some reasonable use of public computers and email systems for purely personal communication.