Sample FOIA Appeal Letter
Freedom of Information Act Appeal
Office of General Counsel
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20580
Dear Sir/Madam:
This is an appeal under the Freedom of Information Act. My request was assigned the following identification number: ______. On [date], I received a response to my request in a letter signed by [name of official]. I appeal the denial of my request.
[Optional]
The documents that were withheld must be disclosed under the FOIA because . . .
[Optional]
I appeal the decision to deny my request for a waiver of fees. I believe that I am entitled to a waiver of fees. disclosure of the documents I requested in is in the public interest because the information is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of government and is not primarily in my commercial interest. [provide details]
[Optional]
I request that you release the withheld documents notwithstanding their exempt status. The public interest in their release outweighs the public interest in withholding them because . . . [provide information on purpose for which the records would be used]
If you need to discuss this request, I can be reached at [daytime phone number]. Thank you for your consideration of this appeal.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
City, State, Zip
Telephone Number