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Home Browse Media Law Resources Guides Federal Open Government Guide

Federal Open Government Guide

  • Introduction
  • The Federal Freedom of Information Act
    • How FOIA works
    • Filing a request
    • Which agencies are covered?
    • Asking for records
    • Do you actually have to file a request?
    • Who may use FOIA?
    • Try the informal approach first
    • Making a formal request: A simple letter is all you need
    • Paying fees
    • Fee waivers
    • Response times
    • Expedited processing and fast-tracking your request
    • Personally inspecting records
    • Appealing an initial denial
    • How to file a FOIA lawsuit
  • Exemptions to disclosure under FOIA
  • Major U.S. Supreme Court FOIA Cases
  • Sidebars
  • Federal Open Meetings Laws
  • The Privacy Act
  • Sample letters and agency addresses
  • Statutes

The Federal Freedom of Information Act

‹ Introduction up How FOIA works ›
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Get this guide as a downloadable PDF, or order a print copy.

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1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100, Arlington, VA 22209, (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100, info@rcfp.org