Question 1

Are there any fees associated with submitting a FOIA request through FOIA.gov?

Accepted Answer

Generally, there are no fees to submit a FOIA request. However, agencies may charge fees for search, review, and duplication of records, especially for commercial requesters. Educational, non-commercial scientific, and news media requesters often receive fee waivers or reduced fees. The portal provides guidance on fee categories and waivers.

Question 2

How long should I expect to wait for a response to my FOIA request?

Accepted Answer

Federal agencies are legally required to respond to a FOIA request within 20 business days, excluding weekends and holidays. However, complex requests or those involving large volumes of records often require extensions, and actual response times can vary significantly depending on the agency's backlog and the nature of the request.

Question 3

Can I use FOIA.gov to request records from state or local government entities?

Accepted Answer

No, FOIA.gov is exclusively for submitting requests to federal government agencies. State and local government records are governed by their respective state public records laws (often called "Sunshine Laws" or "Public Information Acts"). You would need to contact the relevant state or local agency directly for those requests.

Question 4

What steps can I take if my FOIA request is denied or if I receive an unsatisfactory response?

Accepted Answer

If your request is denied in whole or in part, or if you are dissatisfied with the agency's response, you have the right to file an administrative appeal with the agency. FOIA.gov provides information and, in some cases, an interface for submitting these appeals. If the appeal is unsuccessful, you may have recourse to judicial review.

Question 5

Is my personal information protected when I submit a FOIA request through the portal?

Accepted Answer

While your request itself and the records released are generally public, FOIA.gov and federal agencies are committed to protecting personal privacy. Your contact information is used for processing your request. Agencies apply FOIA exemptions, such as Exemption 6 (personal privacy), to protect sensitive personal information within the requested records before release.

FOIA.gov Website Full Guide (2026)

Introduction

Key Features

Use Cases

Accessing Personal or Public Interest Record

Obtaining Documents for Investigative Reporting or

Securing Official Records for Litigation or Policy

How to Use FOIA.gov

Identify the Target Federal Agency

FOIA.gov Alternatives

National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW)

National Archives (NARA)

County Records Offices

Census.gov

About FOIA.gov

Official Website

Video Mentions

FOIA.gov Status