Freedom of Information Act

If you want to get information about a specific issue from an agency of the U.S. Government, you can file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
A basic letter format for a FOIA request follows. This basic format can be used to request information from state agencies also, however, you should know that FOIA does not apply to state agencies. Most states do have some form of open records statutes though. If requesting information from a state agency it would be best to find out what that state's open records laws are and refer to those specific laws rather than FOIA.
It should also be noted that this letter format is typical of that used by an attorney or consultant (note opening paragraph). The format will, however, work for anyone, with minor editing for specifics.

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                                                     [ DATE ]
CERTIFIED MAIL
  
[  AGENCY'S ADDRESS  ] 
 
                                                      Re: [  SUBJECT MATTER  ]

ATTN:  Freedom of Information Act Officer

Greetings: 

     Please be advised that I represent an interested group of citizens  in 
[ CITY or COUNTY, STATE  ], concerning issues related to the above-
referenced matter. 

     Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 USC 522, et seq. (FOIA), 
I request the following information: [ SPECIFIC INFORMATION 
REQUESTED ]

     If any of the information covered by this request has been destroyed 
or removed, please provide all surrounding documentation, including but 
not limited to a description of the action(s) taken, relevant date(s), and 
jurisdiction(s) for the action(s).

     For any documents or portions of documents you deny due to a specific 
FOIA exemption, please provide an index itemizing and describing the 
documents withheld pursuant to Vaughn v. Rosen, 484 F2d. 2880 (D.C. Cir. 
1973), cert. den. 415 U.S. 977 (1974).  The index is required to provide a 
detailed justification of the grounds for claiming each exemption and an 
explanation of why each exemption is relevant to the document or portion 
of the document withheld.

     This information shall not be used for any commercial purpose, it is 
requested in the public’s interest, and therefore I request that all fees 
be waived.

     I looked forward  to a response to this FOIA request within ten days.  
Please contact me if you require further information.

     Thank you for your attention and consideration.


                                                       Sincerely,


                                                      [ TYPE NAME BELOW ]
                                                      [ SIGNATURE    AREA ]

                     [  BE SURE TO SPECIFY YOUR ORGANIZATION'S NAME  ]