Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requestor Service Center
Points of Contact
Handbook
Resource Materials
This EUCOM FOIA Requester Service Center is the initial point of contact for FOIA
requesters to receive status updates and appropriate information about requests at
EUCOM. Any requesters who have concerns about the service they are receiving from
this FOIA Requester Service Center can raise their concerns with the Defense
Department's FOIA Public Liaison at 703-588-6820, DSN 425-6820 or by email at
foia.liaison@whs.mil
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How to Make a FOIA Request
This section will help you through EUCOM's Freedom of Information Act Request process.
Step 1: Preparing Your Request
(You may submit your request in several different forms: electronic, written, or fax)
Label your request "Freedom of Information Act Request"
Describe the specific record(s) you are seeking with enough detail so that officials may locate
the record without much effort. Such detail should include descriptive information, time-frame
to be searched, etc. The more information provided, the better opportunity there is to determine
if the records would still exist and where. The FOIA states that records must exist at the time
the request is submitted to be considered.
State you willingness to pay all fees or those up to a specified amount or provide justification
to support a fee waiver. Agreements to pay fees are considered to be up to $250.00, unless another
amount is specified. Currently we charge search, review (for commercial requestors only), and
duplication costs.
Include your complete postal service mailing address on your request.
Step 2: Submitting Your Request
(The next step in preparing to submit your request is deciding how to send the request)
Submitting Your Request to Headquarter U.S. European Command. You may submit your request via the
postal service, the online request form, email or fax. You will find this information on the "Point
of Contact"page.
Note: If the records you seek are not held by EUCOM, your request will be forwarded to the
appropriate agency as a referral.
Step 3: Processing Your Request
The FOIA allows "any person" to seek access to "agency records." EUCOM processes many FOIA
requests for various information and only in about 20% of the cases is information denied.
You will receive a response to your request. Please keep in mind that the 20 working days time limit
begins when the activity holding the record(s) receives your request and does not include Saturdays,
Sundays, or legal holidays.
Due to shrinking budgets, downsizing, complexity of certain requests, the need for classification and
legal review, coupled with the number of requests received for processing, some EUCOM activities may
not be able to respond to your FOIA request within 20 working days. To ensure fair and equitable
treatment, your request will be placed in a multi-track "first-in, first out" queue; one for simple
request, one for complex requests, and one for expedited requests.
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Where and How to File an Appeal
If your request was initially denied in whole or in part, the letter advising you of the
denial or your request should also have advised you of your right to appeal the determination
within 60 days. If you wish to make an appeal you must file your appeal with the correct appellate
authority within sixty (60) days. The appellate authority for EUCOM is the FOIA Appeals and Policy
Branch, DFOISR. This information, including an address, will be located on all returned request
that are denied in whole or in part.
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