FOIA Request (Freedom of Information Act)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an FOIA request?
2. Can I access certain records without an FOIA request?
3. Where can I make an FOIA Request?
4. How can I make an FOIA Request seeking information about myself?
5. How can I make an FOIA Request seeking information about another person?
6. What information should I include in my FOIA Request?
7. What happens after the Department of Homeland Security component receives my FOIA request?
8. What is the processing time for an FOIA request?
9. What happens when a determination on my FOIA request is not made within the applicable time period?
10. Can I get my FOIA requests processed on an expedited basis?
11. Is there a filing fee for an FOIA request?
12. Can I get a waiver of the filing fee for an FOIA request?
13. Can I file an appeal if I am not satisfied with a Department of Homeland Security component’s initial response?
14. Where can I file an appeal against a Department of Homeland Security component’s initial response?
15. What happens after I file an appeal against a Department of Justice component’s initial response?