How to Make a FOIA Request

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.