The OGIS Library

As the Federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Ombudsman, OGIS observes the FOIA process at agencies across the government. In this role, OGIS is able to see firsthand what works for requesters and what does not. Periodically, we republish what we learn as best practices guides for requesters. You can find these guides at on our Best Practices for FOIA Requesters page. If you have a best practice that you would like to suggest to OGIS, please send the Office an email and tell OGIS what has worked for you.

The amended Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552) (FOIA) directs FOIA Public Liaisons to assist in the resolution of FOIA disputes. In recognition of this mandate, OGIS developed a dispute resolution skills training program. This training program, which is offered throughout the year, helps FOIA professionals sharpen the skills they need to have mutually productive communications with FOIA requesters and with agency personnel. If you are interested in learning more about dispute resolution skills training offered by OGIS, or if you are an agency FOIA professional interested in attending a session, please visit our training page

OGIS offers a range of mediation services as a non-exclusive, non-binding, no-cost alternative to litigation. Participation in an OGIS-arranged formal mediation is voluntary for all parties. A requester who is not satisfied with the results of our services may file a lawsuit against the agency to which he or she submitted a FOIA request, so long as he or she has exhausted his or her administrative remedies with an agency (including filing a timely appeal and receiving an adverse agency response or no response within the legal time frame allowed). Asking for our assistance does not prevent a requester from

When a FOIA requester or Federal agency requests OGIS assistance, we work as efficiently as possible to resolve the dispute. Asking for our assistance does not have a legal effect on the FOIA process from either the requester’s or agency’s perspective. Specifically, the statutory and regulatory deadlines in effect for both parties to respond are not affected. Often, agencies and requesters who agree to work out disputes through OGIS are flexible and understand that deadlines may pass while we working with them. However, requesters should preserve their rights by filing timely administrative appeals and agencies should know that the time

OGIS regularly reviews proposed agency FOIA regulations that are published in the Federal Register . Through its parent agency, the National Archives and Records Administration , OGIS comments on the proposed regulations with an eye toward ensuring FOIA works fairly and efficiently for all – agencies and requesters. OGIS also invites agencies to participate in a collaborative review of agency FOIA policies and procedures. OGIS performs these functions as part of its congressional directive to review FOIA policies, procedures and compliance, 5.U.S.C. 552(h)(2)(A) & (B).

Congress created OGIS in the OPEN Government Act of 2007 to work with executive branch agencies and requesters to resolve disputes between requesters and agencies and to promote compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). 5 U.S.C. § 552(h). OGIS is charged with: Reviewing agencies' FOIA policies and procedures; Reviewing agency compliance with FOIA; Recommending to Congress and the President ways to improve FOIA; Providing facilitation and mediation services to FOIA requesters and agencies to resolve disputes; and Issuing advisory opinions, at the Office's discretion, when mediation does not resolve disputes. OGIS provides facilitation and, where appropriate,

When Congress created OGIS, it mandated that OGIS review agencies’ FOIA policies, procedures and compliance, 5.U.S.C. 552(h)(2)(A) & (B). OGIS interprets this congressional directive broadly to include review of agency FOIA regulations and collaborative reviews of agency FOIA programs. See OGIS Review for details.