FOIA Letter Generator

Fill in the relevant information in the fields below. When you click on the button at the bottom, you will be given a chance to verify the information, then you will see a draft of your letter for copying or downloading. This site will not send the letter to the agency for you; you should send it yourself, even if an email option is available, so that the agency receives it directly from you.

Feel free to use this as often as possible, going back and forth between this form and the finished letter, until you get a letter you are happy with. Or, of course, you can just edit the letter in your own word processor once it is generated.

Answer the questions on the following pages as if you were providing the information directly to a government office. If a query is actually the start of a sentence, fill in the missing elements of the sentence.

(We do not use any information from this form, including your email address, for any purpose other than generating the draft of your letter. All the data from your letter can be deleted when you are done by clicking the "Delete" button on the final page.)

Your full name, as you want it to appear in the letter:

Your address, again as you want it to appear in the letter:

Your daytime phone number:

Profession (if applicable):

Journalist Author Scholar (other)

What agency are you writing to?

(Select from the table below, or choose "none of these" and supply a name and address below. If you choose from the table and leave the box below empty, more information about that agency and how it receives requests will be available in the next step of this letter generator.)

-- none of these -- Administrative Conference of the United States American Battle Monuments Commission AMTRAK (Natl Railroad Passenger Corporation) Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Broadcasting Board of Governors Central Intelligence Agency Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board Commission on Civil Rights Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled Commodity Futures Trading Commission Consumer Product Safety Commission Corporation for Natl and Community Service Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency Council on Environmental Quality Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board Dept of Agriculture -- Agricultural Marketing Service Dept of Agriculture -- Animal & Plant Health Inspection Dept of Agriculture -- Deptal Mgmt Dept of Agriculture -- Farm Service Agency Dept of Agriculture -- Food Safety & Inspection Service Dept of Agriculture -- Food, Nutrition & Consumer Services Dept of Agriculture -- Foreign Agricultural Service Dept of Agriculture -- Forest Service - Headq Dept of Agriculture -- Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Admin Dept of Agriculture -- I don't know what office Dept of Agriculture -- Natl Appeals Division Dept of Agriculture -- Natl Finance Center Dept of Agriculture -- Natural Resources Conservation Service Dept of Agriculture -- Office of Budget & Program Analysis Dept of Agriculture -- Office of the Chief Financial Officer Dept of Agriculture -- Office of the Chief Information Officer Dept of Agriculture -- Office of the General Counsel Dept of Agriculture -- Office of the Sec Dept of Agriculture -- Research, Education & Economics Dept of Agriculture -- Risk Mgmt Agency Dept of Agriculture -- Rural Devel Dept of Commerce -- Bureau of Industry and Security Dept of Commerce -- Census Bureau Dept of Commerce -- Economic Devel Admin Bureau Dept of Commerce -- Economics and Statistics Admin Bureau Dept of Commerce -- I don't know what office Dept of Commerce -- International Trade Admin Dept of Commerce -- Minority Business Devel Agency Dept of Commerce -- Natl Institute of Standards and Technology Dept of Commerce -- Natl Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin Dept of Commerce -- Natl Technical Information Service Dept of Commerce -- Natl Telecommunications and Information Admin Dept of Commerce -- Office of Inspector General Dept of Commerce -- Office of the Sec Dept of Commerce -- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Dept of Defense -- Defense Commissary Agency Dept of Defense -- Defense Contract Audit Agency - Headq Dept of Defense -- Defense Contract Mgmt Agency Dept of Defense -- Defense Finance and Accounting Service Dept of Defense -- Defense Information Systems Agency Dept of Defense -- Defense Intelligence Agency Dept of Defense -- Defense Logistics Agency - Headq Dept of Defense -- Defense Security Service Dept of Defense -- Defense Technical Information Center Dept of Defense -- Defense Threat Reduction Agency Dept of Defense -- Dept of Defense Education Activity Dept of Defense -- Dept of the Air Force - Headq/ICIO Dept of Defense -- Dept of the Army Dept of Defense -- Dept of the Navy Dept of Defense -- Marine Corps - FOIA Program Office (ARSF) Dept of Defense -- Natl Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Dept of Defense -- Natl Guard Bureau Dept of Defense -- Natl Reconnaissance Office Dept of Defense -- Natl Security Agency Dept of Defense -- Office of the Inspector General Dept of Defense -- Office of the Sec and Joint Staff Dept of Defense -- TRICARE Mgmt Activity Dept of Defense -- U.S. Africa Command Dept of Defense -- U.S. Central Command Dept of Defense -- U.S. European Command Dept of Defense -- U.S. Joint Forces Command Dept of Defense -- U.S. Northern Command Dept of Defense -- U.S. Pacific Command Dept of Defense -- U.S. Southern Command Dept of Defense -- U.S. Special Operations Command Dept of Defense -- U.S. Strategic Command Dept of Defense -- U.S. Transporation Command Dept of Education Dept of Energy -- Bonneville Power Admin Dept of Energy -- Chicago Office Dept of Energy -- Environmental Mgmt Consolidated Business Center (EMCBC) Dept of Energy -- Golden Field Office Dept of Energy -- Headq Dept of Energy -- Idaho Operations Office Dept of Energy -- Natl Energy Technology Laboratory Dept of Energy -- Natl Nuclear Security Admin Office of Naval Reactors Dept of Energy -- Natl Nuclear Security Admin Service Center Dept of Energy -- Oak Ridge Office Dept of Energy -- Office of Scientific and Technical Information Dept of Energy -- Richland Operations Office Dept of Energy -- Savannah River Operations Office Dept of Energy -- Southeastern Power Admin Dept of Energy -- Southwestern Power Admin Dept of Energy -- trategic Petroleum Reserve Project Dept of Energy -- Western Area Power Admin Dept of Health and Human Services -- Admin for Children and Families Dept of Health and Human Services -- Admin on Aging Dept of Health and Human Services -- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Dept of Health and Human Services -- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dept of Health and Human Services -- Food and Drug Admin Dept of Health and Human Services -- Headq Dept of Health and Human Services -- Health Resources and Services Admin Dept of Health and Human Services -- I don't know what office Dept of Health and Human Services -- Indian Health Service Dept of Health and Human Services -- Natl Institute of Health Dept of Health and Human Services -- Office of the Inspector General Dept of Health and Human Services -- Program Support Center Dept of Health and Human Services -- Public Health Service Dept of Health and Human Services -- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin Dept of Homeland Security -- Asst Sec for Policy Dept of Homeland Security -- Director for Operations Coordination Dept of Homeland Security -- Federal Emergency Mgmt Agency Dept of Homeland Security -- Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Dept of Homeland Security -- Headq & Privacy Office Dept of Homeland Security -- I don't know what office Dept of Homeland Security -- Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Dept of Homeland Security -- Office of the General Counsel Dept of Homeland Security -- Office of the Inspector General Dept of Homeland Security -- Transportation Security Admin Dept of Homeland Security -- U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Dept of Homeland Security -- U.S. Coast Guard Dept of Homeland Security -- U.S. Customs & Border Protection Dept of Homeland Security -- U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement Dept of Homeland Security -- Under Sec - Office of Intelligence & Analysis Dept of Homeland Security -- Under Sec for Mgmt Dept of Homeland Security -- Under Sec for Natl Protection and Programs Dept of Homeland Security -- Under Sec for Science & Technology Dept of Homeland Security -- United States Secret Service Dept of Homeland Security -- US-VISIT Dept of Housing and Urban Devel -- Headq Dept of Housing and Urban Devel -- I don't know what office Dept of Housing and Urban Devel -- Region I (MA, CT, VT, RI) Dept of Housing and Urban Devel -- Region II (NY, NJ) Dept of Housing and Urban Devel -- Region III (PA, MD, VA, DC, WV, DE) Dept of Housing and Urban Devel -- Region IV (GA, AL, FL, KY, TN) Dept of Housing and Urban Devel -- Region IX (CA, HI, AZ) Dept of Housing and Urban Devel -- Region V (IL, OH, MI, IN, WI, MN) Dept of Housing and Urban Devel -- Region VI (TX, NM, AR, LA, OK) Dept of Housing and Urban Devel -- Region VII (KS, IA, NE, MO) Dept of Housing and Urban Devel -- Region VIII (CO) Dept of Housing and Urban Devel -- Region X (WA, AK, OR) Dept of Interior -- Bureau of Indian Affairs Dept of Interior -- Bureau of Land Mgmt Dept of Interior -- Bureau of Ocean Energy Mgmt, Regulation and Enforcement Dept of Interior -- Bureau of Reclamation Dept of Interior -- Natl Park Service Dept of Interior -- Office of Surface Mining Dept of Interior -- Office of the Inspector General Dept of Interior -- Office of the Sec Dept of Interior -- Office of the Solicitor Dept of Interior -- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Dept of Interior -- U.S. Geological Survey Dept of Justice -- Antitrust Division Dept of Justice -- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Dept of Justice -- Civil Division Dept of Justice -- Civil Rights Division Dept of Justice -- Community Relations Service Dept of Justice -- Criminal Division Dept of Justice -- Drug Enforcement Admin Dept of Justice -- Environment and Natural Resources Division Dept of Justice -- Executive Office for Immigration Review Dept of Justice -- Executive Office for Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces Dept of Justice -- Executive Office for United States Attorneys Dept of Justice -- Executive Office for United States Trustees Dept of Justice -- Federal Bureau of Investigation Dept of Justice -- Federal Bureau of Prisons Dept of Justice -- Foreign Claims Settlement Commission Dept of Justice -- I don't know what office Dept of Justice -- Information Mgmt Specialist Dept of Justice -- INTERPOL-United States Natl Central Bureau Dept of Justice -- Justice Mgmt Division Dept of Justice -- Natl Drug Intelligence Center Dept of Justice -- Natl Security Division Dept of Justice -- Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Dept of Justice -- Office of Dispute Resolution Dept of Justice -- Office of Information Policy Dept of Justice -- Office of Intergovernmental and Public Liaison Dept of Justice -- Office of Justice Programs Dept of Justice -- Office of Legal Counsel Dept of Justice -- Office of Legal Policy Dept of Justice -- Office of Legislative Affairs Dept of Justice -- Office of Professional Responsibility Dept of Justice -- Office of Public Affairs Dept of Justice -- Office of the Associate Attorney General Dept of Justice -- Office of the Attorney General Dept of Justice -- Office of the Deputy Attorney General Dept of Justice -- Office of the Federal Detention Trustee Dept of Justice -- Office of the Inspector General Dept of Justice -- Office of the Pardon Attorney Dept of Justice -- Office of the Solicitor General Dept of Justice -- Office of Tribal Justice Dept of Justice -- Office on Violence Against Women Dept of Justice -- Tax Division Dept of Justice -- United States Marshals Service Dept of Justice -- United States Parole Commission Dept of Labor -- Bureau of International Labor Affairs Dept of Labor -- Bureau of Labor Statistics Dept of Labor -- Employee Benefits Security Admin Dept of Labor -- Employment & Training Admin Dept of Labor -- I don't know what office Dept of Labor -- Jobs Corps Dept of Labor -- Main Office Dept of Labor -- Mine Safety & Health Admin Dept of Labor -- Occupational Safety & Health Admin Dept of Labor -- Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Dept of Labor -- Office of Labor-Mgmt Standards Dept of Labor -- Office of the Administrative Law Judges Dept of Labor -- Office of the Asst Sec for Admin and Mgmt Dept of Labor -- Office of the Inspector General Dept of Labor -- Office of Workers' Compensation Programs Dept of Labor -- Veterans' Employment & Training Service Dept of Labor -- Wage and Hour Division Dept of Labor -- Women's Bureau Dept of State Dept of State -- Office of IRM Programs and Services, SA-2 Dept of Transportation -- Surface Transportation Board Dept of Transportation -- Federal Aviation Admin Dept of Transportation -- Federal Highway Admin Dept of Transportation -- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Admin Dept of Transportation -- Federal Railroad Admin Dept of Transportation -- Federal Transit Admin Dept of Transportation -- Maritime Admin Dept of Transportation -- Natl Highway Traffic Safety Admin Dept of Transportation -- Office of the Inspector General Dept of Transportation -- Office of the Sec Dept of Transportation -- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Admin Dept of Transportation -- Research and Innovative Technology Admin Dept of Transportation -- Saint Lawrence Seaway Devel Corporation Dept of Treasury -- Financial Mgmt Service Dept of Treasury -- Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Dept of Treasury -- Bureau of Engraving and Printing Dept of Treasury -- Bureau of Public Debt Dept of Treasury -- Comptroller of the Currency Dept of Treasury -- Deptal Offices Dept of Treasury -- Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Dept of Treasury -- Internal Revenue Service - Headq Office Dept of Treasury -- Office of Thrift Supervision Dept of Treasury -- Treasury Inspector General for Tax Admin Dept of Treasury -- United States Mint Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Board of Veterans Appeals Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Corporate Data Center Operations Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Office of Acquisition & Logistics Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Office of Asset Enterprise Mgmt Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Office of Asst Sec for Congressional and Legislative Affairs Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Office of Asst Sec for Human Resources and Admin Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Office of Asst Sec for Information and Technology Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Office of Asst Sec for Mgmt Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Office of Asst Sec for Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Office of Construction & Facilities Mgmt Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Office of Deputy Asst Sec for Admin Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Office of Deputy Asst Sec for Budget Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Office of Deputy Asst Sec for Diversity and Inclusion Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Office of Deputy Asst Sec for Finance Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Office of Deputy Asst Sec for Human Resources Mgmt Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Office of Deputy Asst Sec for Public Affairs Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Office of Inspector General Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Office of Policy and Planning Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Office of Resolution Mgmt Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Office of the Asst Sec for Operations, Security, and Preparedness Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Office of the Deputy Asst Sec for Intergovernmental Affairs Dept of Veterans Affairs -- Office of the General Counsel Dept of Veterans Affairs: -- Central Office Dept of Veterans Affairs: -- Natl Cemetery Admin Dept of Veterans Affairs: -- Veterans Benefits Admin Dept of Veterans Affairs: -- Veterans Health Admin Environmental Protection Agency -- Natl Headq Environmental Protection Agency -- Region 1 (States: CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) Environmental Protection Agency -- Region 10 (States: AK, ID, OR, WA) Environmental Protection Agency -- Region 2 (States: NJ, NY, PR VI) Environmental Protection Agency -- Region 3 (States: DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV) Environmental Protection Agency -- Region 4 (States: AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN) Environmental Protection Agency -- Region 5 (States: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI) Environmental Protection Agency -- Region 6 (States: AR, LA, NM, OK, TX) Environmental Protection Agency -- Region 7 (States: IA, KS, MO, NE) Environmental Protection Agency -- Region 8 (States: CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY) Environmental Protection Agency -- Region 9 (States: AZ, CA, HI, NV, AS, GU) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Export-Import Bank of the U.S. Farm Credit Admin Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation Federal Communications Commission Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Federal Election Commission Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Federal Housing Finance Agency Federal Labor Relations Authority Federal Maritime Commission Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Federal Reserve -- Federal Open Market Committee Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board Federal Trade Commission General Services Admin -- DC Office General Services Admin -- Region 1 (States: CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT) General Services Admin -- Region 10 (States AK, ID, OR, WA) General Services Admin -- Region 2 (States: NJ, NY, PR, VI) General Services Admin -- Region 3 (States: DE, MD, PA, VA, WV; Europe, Africa, Middle East) General Services Admin -- Region 4 (States: AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN) General Services Admin -- Region 5 (States: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI) General Services Admin -- Region 6 (States: IA, KS, MO, NE) General Services Admin -- Region 7 (States: AR, LA, NM, OK, TX) General Services Admin -- Region 8 (States: CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY) General Services Admin -- Region 9 (States: AZ, CA, HI, NV; Guam, American Samoa, Far East) Institute of Museum and Library Services Inter-American Foundation Legal Services Corporation Merit Systems Protection Board Millennium Challenge Corporation Natl Aeronautics and Space Admin -- Ames Research Center - NAS2 Contracts Only Natl Aeronautics and Space Admin -- Dryden Flight Research Center - NAS4 Contracts Only Natl Aeronautics and Space Admin -- FOIA Assistance Office (general requests) Natl Aeronautics and Space Admin -- Glenn Research Center - NAS3 Contracts Only Natl Aeronautics and Space Admin -- Goddard Space Flight Center - NAS5 Contracts Only Natl Aeronautics and Space Admin -- Headq - NASW Contracts Only Natl Aeronautics and Space Admin -- Jet Propulsion Laboratory - NAS7 Contracts Natl Aeronautics and Space Admin -- Johnson Space Center - NAS9 Contracts Only Natl Aeronautics and Space Admin -- Kennedy Space Center - NAS10 Contracts Only Natl Aeronautics and Space Admin -- Langley Research Center - NAS1 Contracts Only Natl Aeronautics and Space Admin -- Marshall Space Flight Center - NAS8 Contracts Natl Aeronautics and Space Admin -- Office of the Inspector General Natl Aeronautics and Space Admin -- Shared Services Center Natl Aeronautics and Space Admin -- Stennis Space Center - NAS13 Natl Archives and Records Admin Natl Archives and Records Admin -- Accessioned Executive Branch Agency Records Natl Archives and Records Admin -- Office of the Inspector General Natl Capital Planning Commission Natl Credit Union Admin Natl Credit Union Admin -- Office of the Inspector General Natl Endowment for the Arts Natl Endowment for the Humanities Natl Indian Gaming Commission Natl Labor Relations Board Natl Science Foundation Natl Transportation Safety Board Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Government Ethics Office of Mgmt and Budget Office of Natl Drug Council Policy Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation Office of Personnel Mgmt Office of Science and Technology Policy Office of Special Counsel Office of the Director of Natl Intelligence Office of the United States Trade Representative Overseas Private Investment Corporation Peace Corps Peace Corps -- Office of the Inspector General Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation Postal Regulatory Commission Railroad Retirement Board Securities and Exchange Commission Selective Service System Small Business Admin Small Business Admin Social Security Admin Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction Tennessee Valley Authority U.S. Agency for International Devel United States African Devel Foundation United States Copyright Office United States International Boundary and Water Commission United States International Trade Commission United States Postal Service United States Postal Service -- Office of the Inspector General United States Postal Service -- Postal Inspection Service United States Trade and Devel Agency

Show me more information about this agency now

If none of the above, enter the agency name and address here. (and be sure to leave the "None" option selected above.)

[More information on describing records sought.]

Here, clearly describe what you want. Include identifying material, such as names, places, and the period of time about which you are inquiring. If you think they will help to explain what you are looking for, include news clips, reports, and other documents describing the subject of your research when you mail your letter.

I request access to and copies of ...

Format: Choose desired format for records only if you want them in an electronic or other non-paper form.

Paper Electronic Microfiche Other

If you need to further explain the format preference (e.g., on CD-ROM), enter that here.

[More information on fees and fee benefits and waivers.]

B. Fee waiver. Will you ask for a fee waiver? Yes No

C. Fee limit.

[More information on expedited processing.]

Amendments to FOIA passed in 1996 allow for expedited processing of some requests. Choose an option if it applies, and choose only one of them. Your letter will say that you "certify" that your stated need is true. Journalists should select the first option.

not selected

Option A: If you are a reporter or a person who is "primarily engaged in disseminating information," and your request concerns a matter of "compelling need," a request for expedited processing may be honored.

Option B: If you have a life-threatening need for the information or delayed disclosure could threaten the physical safety of any individual, a request for expedited processing may be honored.

Option C: If your request is to the Department of Justice or any of its components such as the FBI and delay could cause a loss of substantial due process rights, you may be entitled to expedited processing of your request.