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FOIA Electronic Reading Room

The CIA has established this site to provide the public with an overview of access to CIA information, including electronic access to previously released documents. Because of CIA's need to comply with the national security laws of the United States, some documents or parts of documents cannot be released to the public. In particular, the CIA, like other U.S. intelligence agencies, has the responsibility to protect intelligence sources and methods from disclosure. However, a substantial amount of CIA information has been and/or can be released following review. See "Your Rights" for further details on the various methods of obtaining this information.


What's New at FOIA?

Site last updated: September 17, 2008

Top Searches!

The Frequently Requested Records section now shows August's Top 25 Search Phrases.

A Life in Intelligence - The Richard Helms Collection

This collection of material by and about Richard Helms as Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) and Ambassador to Iran comprises the largest single release of Helms-related information to date. The documents, historical works and essays offer an unprecedented, wide-ranging look at the man and his career as the United States' top intelligence official and one of its most important diplomats during a crucial decade of the Cold War. From mid-1966, when he became DCI, to late 1976, when he left Iran, Helms dealt directly with numerous events whose impact remains evident today and which are covered in the release.

New Documents!

53 new documents have been added to the site. Other new releases may be viewed here.

Public Liaison Change

The designated FOIA Public Liaisons have been revised. Please check the CIA FOIA Request Status page for the current information.

2007 Annual Report

The Central Intelligence Agency Freedom Of Information Act Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2007 is now available. The text of the Annual Reports can be read in MS Word, Adobe Acrobat (PDF), or ASCII text formats.

CIA FOIA Backlog Reduction Goals for FY08, FY09, and FY10

CIA Files Updated Status Report on Implementing Executive Order 13392

Updated Status Report From the Central Intelligence Agency Concerning Reported Deficiencies in Implementing Executive Order 13,392, "Improving Agency Disclosure of Information" 1 August 2007

This report updates the progress the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has made implementing its Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) improvement plan required by Executive Order 13,392, "Improving Agency Disclosure of Information." The report conforms to the template the Department of Justice provided online in "Guidance on Submitting Updated Status Reports to the President's Management Council."

Improving Agency Disclosure of Information

Plan and Report of the Central Intelligence Agency Submitted to the Attorney General of the United States and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget In Compliance with Executive Order 13392.

This report is the response of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to Section 2(b) of Executive Order 13392 which requires the Chief Freedom of Information Act Officer of each federal agency subject to the FOIA to develop an "agency-specific plan to ensure that the agency's administration of the FOIA is in accordance with applicable law and the policies set forth in section 1 of this Order." PDF format, 410k.