Best Practice
Use the online portal. The law has strict timelines, but expect delays; you can appeal to the Mayor’s office.
Back to jurisdictions
District of Columbia (DC)
Law: D.C. Freedom of Information Act (D.C. Code §§ 2-531 to 2-540)
Notes: Use the online portal. The law has strict timelines, but expect delays; you can appeal to the Mayor’s office.
Generate a Request for District of ColumbiaJurisdiction Facts
Sourced from the jurisdiction registry. Not legal advice.
Statutory Response Deadline
15 business days under D.C. Code § 2-532(c), extendable by 10 days for unusual circumstances.
Observed Average Response
163 days (MuckRock observed average, not a statutory deadline).
Fee Waivers / Intake
Fee waivers available for public interest requests.
Appeals
Appeal to the Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel within 15 days of denial.
Primary legal sources
Direct links to the governing statute, official requester guidance, and central portal for this jurisdiction.
- Statute: D.C. Freedom of Information Act (D.C. Code §§ 2-531 to 2-540)
- Official guidance: Requester guidance
Common Agencies
District of Columbia — MyFOIA Portal
Portal: Submit online
Email: [email protected]
Fees & notes
New portal launched June 2024. Fee schedule at 1 DCMR § 408. No fee to submit a request. Responses within 15 business days. Appeals to Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Executive Office of the Mayor of the District of Columbia
Portal: Submit online
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Suite 409 Washington DC 20004
Fees & notes
The District of Columbia uses a centralized FOIA portal for all agencies. The Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel handles requests. The portal allows tracking.
Source Reviewed 2026-05-24