Introduction

Freedom of Information Act

The Office of Inspector General's guidance on requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Title 5 of the United States Code, section 552, is a disclosure statute which gives you the right to request access to federal agency records or information. All U.S. government agencies are required to disclose agency records to the public unless the records are protected by one or more of the FOIA's nine exemptions or three exclusions. Under the FOIA, government agencies need not release:

• Classified Documents
• Internal Personnel Rules and Practices
• Information that is Exempt Under Other Laws
• Trade Secrets and Confidential Business Information
• Internal Government Communications that are Protected by Legal Privileges
• Personnel and Medical Files
• Law Enforcement Records or Information
• Information Concerning Bank Supervision
• Geological and Geophysical Information

The three exclusions are rarely used and pertain to particularly sensitive law enforcement and national security matters.

Helpful Reference Materials

• U.S. Postal Service Freedom of Information Act Regulations (39 C.F.R. § 265)
• U.S. Postal Service Privacy Act Regulations (39 C.F.R. § 266)
• U.S. Department of Justice FOIA and Privacy Act Web Pages
  (Includes the text of the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act as well as several useful guides)