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

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

1. National security

2. Internal agency rules

3. Statutory exemption

4. Trade secrets

5. Internal agency memos

6. Personal privacy

7. Law enforcement records

8. Bank reports

9. Oil and gas well data

 

Major U.S. Supreme Court FOIA cases

 

Sidebars:

Frequently asked questions

Mandatory declassification review

A tale of two releases

Commonly requested records

 

Federal Open Meetings Laws

 

The Federal Advisory Committee Act

How FACA works

Where FACA applies

How to enforce FACA

 

The Government in the Sunshine Act

How the Sunshine Act works

What is an “Agency”?

What is a “Meeting”?

How to enforce the Sunshine Act

Exemptions to open meetings under the Sunshine Act

 

The Privacy Act

How the Privacy Act works

How Privacy Act lawsuits affect journalists

 


 

Sample materials

FOIA Request Letter

FOIA Appeal Letter

FOIA Complaint

Vaughn Motion

Request letter for your own files under FOIA and the Privacy Act

Agency addresses

 

Statutes

Freedom of Information Act

Privacy Act

Government in the Sunshine Act

Federal Advisory Committee Act

Statutes

Please note: These links will take you to the Web site of the Legal Information Institute at Cornell University Law School, which is not affiliated with this site or the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

  •  Freedom of Information Act

  •  Privacy Act

  •  Government in the Sunshine Act

  •  Federal Advisory Committee Act