FOIA Friend

Jurisdiction-first help for public records requests.

Jurisdictions /

Federal FOIA (United States)

The Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552, gives any person the right to request access to records from federal executive-branch agencies.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a qualified attorney or an agency's FOIA officer for specific legal questions.

Generate a Federal FOIA Request

For a complete guide to Federal FOIA — including response deadlines, fee categories, waiver rules, appeal procedures, and primary-source citations — see the Legal Library.

2026 Federal FOIA Rule Changes

Primary source verified. Effective dates and status noted per each entry. Not legal advice.

EPA: Proposed removal of Environmental Justice expedited processing

Proposed rule (doc. 2026-01511, Jan. 27, 2026) would rescind the Environmental Justice Expedited Processing criteria and associated fee waivers. Comment period closed Feb. 26, 2026; not yet finalized.

CFR: 40 CFR Part 2

Source: Federal Register 2026-01511

NRC: Updated FOIA regulations (eff. Mar. 6, 2026)

Final rule amends 10 CFR Part 9 to incorporate DOJ model FOIA regulatory language, including updated fee, appeal, and response-time provisions.

CFR: 10 CFR Part 9

Source: Federal Register FR-2026-03-06 (govinfo.gov)

FOIA Advisory Committee: Mandatory FOIA log publication (Rec. 2026-02)

Approved April 2, 2026. Recommends Congress mandate quarterly publication of agency FOIA logs in machine-readable format, with 13 minimum fields: tracking number, date of request, requester name, organizational affiliation, subject matter, status, result, exemptions cited, date resolved, fee category, fee waiver requested, fee waiver granted, and fees charged.

Source: FOIA Advisory Committee blog — National Archives (archives.gov)

Agencies Not Subject to FOIA

Court rulings that limit FOIA coverage. Verify current status before filing.

Government Accountability Office (GAO)

On Jan. 9, 2026, the U.S. District Court for D.C. held that GAO is a legislative-branch agency not subject to the Freedom of Information Act. An appeal is pending in the D.C. Circuit (No. 26-5052).

America First Legal Foundation v. U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, No. 1:25-cv-00662 (D.D.C.)

Source: CourtListener docket 69712307

Active FOIA Litigation (2026)

Selected cases filed or active as of 2026-04-25. Illustrates current agency friction points and contested record types.

  • Palantir federal agency records — filed 2026-04-22, American Oversight
    Seeks agency records on use of Palantir technology, following executive order on interagency data sharing.  Law360
  • USDA food-safety records — East Palestine, OH derailment — filed 2026-04-17, Government Accountability Project
    Alleges USDA improperly withheld records about food supply contamination from the Feb. 2023 Norfolk Southern derailment.  Government Accountability Project (whistleblower.org)
  • ICE subpoenas targeting online critics of ICE — filed 2026-04-23, ACLU of Pennsylvania
    Seeks DHS/ICE records of post-election subpoenas issued to unmask social media users critical of ICE.  NBC Philadelphia
  • White House Ballroom construction contract — filed December 2025, Public Citizen
    NPS and DOI failed to respond to 2025 FOIA requests. Contract was disclosed April 22, 2026 after litigation commenced.  Public Citizen
  • DOJ Signal messages — interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan — filed 2026-01-28, Jimmy Tobias (The Nation)
    Seeks Signal messages sent and received by interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan from September 2025 onward.  Loevy & Loevy
  • DOJ digital-asset policy communications — filed 2026-04-08, Cato Institute
    Alleges DOJ failed to comply with FOIA requests for communications on federal digital asset policy and enforcement coordination.  Vital Law

Direct links to the governing statute, official requester guidance, and central portal for this jurisdiction.

Federal Agencies

Air Force

Portal: Submit online

Mail: Department of the Air Force, Freedom of Information and Privacy Act Office, 1000 Air Force Pentagon, Washington, DC 20330-1000

Fees & notes

The Air Force will not accept email requests; all requests must be submitted through the online portal or by mail. The agency has a reputation for significant backlogs and heavy redactions.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-27

Air Force, 25th Air Force

Portal: Submit online

Mail: Department of the Air Force, Freedom of Information and Privacy Act Office, 1000 Air Force Pentagon, Washington, DC 20330-1000

Fees & notes

The 25th Air Force is a subordinate unit of the Air Force. All FOIA requests for 25th Air Force records should be submitted to the Air Force's central FOIA office. The Air Force will not accept email requests; all requests must be submitted through the online portal or by mail.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-27

Amtrak

Portal: Submit online

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Amtrak FOIA Office, 1 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001

Fees & notes

Amtrak uses the Secure OCP portal for FOIA requests. The agency charges fees for search, review, and duplication. Fee waivers are rarely granted, and the agency is known for significant backlogs.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-27

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Portal: Submit online

Mail: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, FOIA Office, 99 New York Avenue, NE, Room 4.E-301, Washington, DC 20226

Fees & notes

ATF no longer accepts or acknowledges FOIA requests submitted by email. All requests must be submitted through the online portal or by mail. The agency has a reputation for significant backlogs and for asserting law enforcement exemptions to deny access to records.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-27

Bureau of Prisons (BOP) - DOJ

Portal: Submit online

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Federal Bureau of Prisons, Office of General Counsel, Room 936, 320 First Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20534

Fees & notes

The BOP is known for denying fee waivers for incarcerated requesters. The online form is for public information only; requests for non-public individual records require a signed authorization and must be submitted by mail.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-27

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Portal: Submit online

Mail: U.S. Customs and Border Protection 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Mail Stop 1181 Washington, DC 20229

Fees & notes

CBP uses the DHS SecureRelease portal. Mail-in requests are strongly discouraged as they require manual entry and divert resources. Fee waivers are rarely granted.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-29

Defense Health Agency (DHA) - DOD

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Defense Health Agency, Attn: DHA FOIA Public Liaison, 7700 Arlington Blvd., Ste. 5101, Falls Church, VA 22042-5101

Fees & notes

DHA does not have a dedicated public FOIA portal. Requests are processed by email. The agency is known for heavy redactions under the medical records exemption (Exemption 6). Fee waivers are rarely granted.

Reviewed 2026-04-27

Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) - DOD

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Defense Intelligence Agency, ATTN: IMO-1B (FOIA), 7400 Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-7400

Fees & notes

DIA is known for a high rate of 'no records' responses or denials based on national security exemptions. The agency does not have a public portal and requires requests by email or mail. Fee waivers are generally not applicable as most requests are denied in full.

Reviewed 2026-04-29

Department of Defense (DoD)

Portal: Submit online

Mail: Office of the Secretary of Defense and Joint Staff FOIA Requester Service Center 1155 Defense Pentagon Washington, DC 20301-1155

Fees & notes

Department of Defense FOIA requests should be directed to the specific DoD component (Army, Navy, Air Force, etc.). The OSD/JS FOIA office only handles Office of the Secretary of Defense and Joint Staff records.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-29

Department of Homeland Security (Headquarters)

Portal: Submit online

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Department of Homeland Security, Privacy Office, 2707 Martin Luther King Jr. AVE SE, Mail Stop 0655, Washington, DC 20528-0655

Fees & notes

DHS HQ frequently denies fee waivers for media requesters by incorrectly classifying them as commercial entities. This practice has led to significant public criticism and litigation.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-27

Department of Homeland Security, United States of America

Portal: Submit online

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Department of Homeland Security FOIA Office 2707 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, STOP-0655 Washington, DC 20528-0655

Fees & notes

DHS requires FOIA requests to be submitted through its portal or FOIA.gov. The department has a reputation for significant backlogs and for heavily redacting records related to immigration enforcement and national security. Fee waivers are rarely granted.

Department of Housing and Urban Development, United States of America

Portal: Submit online

Mail: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Freedom of Information Act Office 451 7th Street, SW, Room 10139 Washington, DC 20410-3000

Fees & notes

HUD prefers requests be submitted through its online portal. The agency does not provide a public email address for FOIA requests. HUD has been criticized for slow responses and for redacting information under the privacy exemption.

Source Reviewed 2026-05-24

Department of Justice, Criminal Division

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Criminal Division, FOIA/PA Unit, Department of Justice, 950 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20530-0001

Fees & notes

The Criminal Division does not use a public FOIA portal. Requests must be submitted by email or mail. Fee waivers are rarely granted, and the division often asserts law enforcement exemptions to deny access to investigative records.

Reviewed 2026-04-27

Department of Justice, National Security Division

Email: [email protected]

Mail: National Security Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 6150, Washington, D.C. 20530-0001

Fees & notes

The NSD does not use a public FOIA portal. Requests must be submitted by email or mail. The division has a reputation for significant backlogs and for heavily redacting records related to national security. Fee waivers are rarely granted.

Reviewed 2026-04-27

Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs

Mail: Office of Justice Programs, Office of the General Counsel, Attention: FOIA Staff, 810 7th St., NW, Room 5400, Washington, DC 20531

Fees & notes

OJP does not have a dedicated public FOIA portal. Requests are accepted via email or mail. Fee waivers are rarely granted, and the office often asserts law enforcement exemptions to deny access to records.

Reviewed 2026-04-27

Department of State

Portal: Submit online

Email: [email protected]

Mail: U.S. Dept. of State, A/GIS/IPS/RL, 2201 C Street NW, Suite B266, Washington, DC 20520

Fees & notes

Received 22,306 requests in FY2024. Known for long delays and heavy redactions on diplomatic cables.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-27

Department of the Navy, Naval Operations

Portal: Submit online

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Chief of Naval Operations (DNS-36), 2000 Navy Pentagon, Washington, DC 20350-2000

Fees & notes

The Navy uses the SecureRelease portal for FOIA requests. Fee waivers are rarely granted. The Navy is known for significant backlogs and heavy redactions, particularly for records related to naval operations.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-27

Department of Treasury, United States of America

Portal: Submit online

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Departmental Offices Director, FOIA and Transparency Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20220

Fees & notes

The Treasury Department uses a centralized FOIA portal. The agency has a reputation for being a high-volume, low-grant agency with significant fee barriers for commercial requesters. Fee waivers are rarely granted.

Source Reviewed 2026-05-24

Drug Enforcement Administration, United States of America

Portal: Submit online

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Drug Enforcement Administration Freedom of Information and Privacy Act Unit 8701 Morrissette Drive Springfield, Virginia 22152

Fees & notes

The DEA uses the FOIA Public Access Link (PAL) portal. The agency has a reputation for significant backlogs and for asserting law enforcement exemptions to deny access to investigative records. Fee waivers are rarely granted.

Source Reviewed 2026-05-24

Federal Aviation Administration

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Room 306, Washington, DC 20591

Fees & notes

The FAA charges fees for search, review, and duplication. Commercial requesters pay full costs, while educational and media requesters pay duplication only and get the first 100 pages free. Fee waivers are rarely granted.

Reviewed 2026-04-27

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Portal: Submit online

Mail: Federal Bureau of Investigation Attn: Initial Processing Operations Unit Record/Information Dissemination Section 200 Constitution Drive Winchester, VA 22602

Fees & notes

The FBI uses the eFOIPA portal for requests and does not accept requests by email. The agency has a reputation for heavy redactions and long processing delays.

Source Reviewed 2026-05-24

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Portal: Submit online

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Federal Emergency Management Agency, FOIA Office, 500 C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20472

Fees & notes

FEMA does not have a dedicated public FOIA portal. Requests are accepted via email or mail. The agency has a reputation for significant backlogs, particularly for records related to disaster response and recovery. Fee waivers are rarely granted.

Reviewed 2026-04-29

Federal Trade Commission

Portal: Submit online

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Freedom of Information Act Request, Office of General Counsel, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580

Fees & notes

The FTC uses the Secure OCP portal for FOIA requests. The agency charges fees for search, review, and duplication. Fee waivers are granted more frequently than at many other agencies, particularly for educational and media requesters.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-27

George W Bush (43) Presidential Library

Email: [email protected]

Mail: George W. Bush Presidential Library, c/o FOIA Coordinator, 2943 SMU Blvd, Dallas, TX 75205

Fees & notes

The National Archives does not charge FOIA filing, searching, or processing fees. Standard reproduction fees are charged for copying records. Fee waivers are generally not applicable as fees are minimal.

Reviewed 2026-04-27

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Email: [email protected]

Mail: NASA Headquarters, FOIA Office, 300 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20546

Fees & notes

NASA does not have a centralized public FOIA portal. Requests should be directed to the appropriate NASA Center or the Headquarters FOIA Office. Fee waivers are rarely granted, and the agency is known for significant backlogs.

Reviewed 2026-04-27

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) - DOD

Email: [email protected]

Mail: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, FOIA/PA Requester Service Center, 7500 GEOINT Drive, MS N22-SISM, Springfield, VA 22150-7500

Fees & notes

NGA does not have a public FOIA portal and requires requests by email or mail. The agency is known for heavy redactions and denials based on national security exemptions. Fee waivers are generally not applicable.

Reviewed 2026-04-27

Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM) - DHS

Portal: Submit online

Mail: Office of Biometric Identity Management, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528

Fees & notes

OBIM processes FOIA requests exclusively through the DHS SecureRelease portal. The agency handles biometric and identity records and is known for significant backlogs and for asserting privacy exemptions. Fee waivers are rarely granted.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-27

Office of National Drug Control Policy

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Office of Legal Counsel, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Attn: Chief FOIA Officer, 1800 G Street NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20503

Fees & notes

ONDCP does not use a public FOIA portal. Requests must be submitted by email or mail. The agency has a reputation for significant backlogs and for heavily redacting records related to drug control policy.

Reviewed 2026-04-27

U.S. Army Office of the Provost Marshal General

Portal: Submit online

Mail: U.S. Army FOIA Office 9301 Chapek Road Building 1458 Fort Belvoir VA 22060

Fees & notes

No specific MuckRock audit data available. The Army FOIA office is known for significant backlogs and heavy redactions under national security exemptions.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-27

U.S. Department of State, United States of America

Portal: Submit online

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Information Access Programs Directorate A/SKS/IAP 2201 C Street N.W., Suite B266 Department of State Washington, D.C. 20520

Fees & notes

The Department of State is known for significant backlogs and long processing times. Requests for classified or sensitive diplomatic records are frequently denied or heavily redacted. Fee waivers are rarely granted.

Source Reviewed 2026-05-24

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW (005X6D), Washington, DC 20420

Fees & notes

The VA's FOIA program is decentralized. Requests should be sent to the email address provided, which routes requests to the appropriate component. Fee waivers are rarely granted, and the agency is known for significant backlogs.

Reviewed 2026-04-27

U.S. Special Operations Command - USSOCOM

Portal: Submit online

Email: [email protected]

Mail: HQ USSOCOM, FOIA Requester Service Center, ATTN: SOCS-SJS-FOIA, 7701 Tampa Point Blvd., MacDill AFB, FL 33621-5323

Fees & notes

USSOCOM accepts FOIA requests via its online E-FOIA form, email, or postal mail. The agency has a reputation for significant backlogs and for heavily redacting records related to special operations.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-27

United States Army Audit Agency

Portal: Submit online

Mail: U.S. Army CECOM, ATTN: FOIA Officer, 6565 Surveillance Loop: BLDG 6001: RM C3-129, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005

Fees & notes

Fee waivers are rarely granted. The Army's FOIA office operates under DoD regulations and typically charges for search, review, and duplication fees for commercial requesters.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-27

United States Marshals Service (USMS) - DOJ

Portal: Submit online

Email: [email protected]

Mail: United States Marshals Service, Office of the General Counsel, Freedom of Information Act Unit, CG-3, 15th Floor, Washington, DC 20530-0001

Fees & notes

The USMS has a reputation for slow responses and for heavily redacting records related to fugitive investigations, witness security, and asset forfeiture. Fee waivers are rarely granted.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-27

United States Secret Service, United States of America

Portal: Submit online

Mail: U.S. Secret Service FOIA Office 245 Murray Lane Building T-5 3rd Floor, FOIA Washington, D.C. 20223

Fees & notes

As of October 1, 2025, the Secret Service no longer accepts FOIA requests by email. All requests must be submitted through the SecureRelease portal. The agency is known for significant backlogs and heavy redactions, particularly for records related to protective operations.

Source Reviewed 2026-05-24