Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
FOIA, 5 U.S.C. §552, provides that any person has the right to request access to federal agency records or information. Federal agencies are required to disclose records or information upon receipt of a written FOIA request, except such records or information that are exempt from disclosure pursuant 5 U.S.C. §552. The 1996 FOIA amendments require federal agencies to implement a publicly accessible Electronic Reading Room to store commonly requested documents.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Please view the frequently asked question prior to submitting your FOIA request to ensure it is submitted to the appropriate custodian and release authority. A misdirected or incorrectly filed request will delay the response to your inquiry.
Contact Information for OJAG Requestor Service Centers
The Office of the Judge Advocate General (OJAG) of the Navy maintains several record specific FOIA Requestor Service Centers. Click on the record category below for the contact information for the specific FOIA Requestor Service Center which processes the type of records you seek. Please be advised that many frequently requested records are available in the OJAG Electronic Reading Room.
JAG Manual Investigations
Command Investigations: The Claims and Tort Litigation Division (Code 15) is the custodian and release authority for Navy and Marine Corps command investigations conducted pursuant to Chapter II of the Manual of the Judge Advocate General (JAGMAN) convened prior to December 31, 1995. The cognizant release authority for command investigations convened after December 31, 1995 remains the command that convened the investigation. Exception:
- The Chief of Naval Operations (N09N) is the release authority for all command investigations involving breaches of classified information or information security regulations conducted pursuant to Chapter II of the JAGMAN.
Litigation-Report Investigations: Code 15 is also the custodian and release authority for all Navy and Marine Corps litigation- report investigations conducted pursuant to Chapter II of the JAGMAN. In nearly all cases, litigation-report investigations are exempt from release under FOIA.
Courts and Boards of Inquiry: The cognizant Echelon II Commander is the release authority for Courts and Boards of Inquiry.
Admiralty Letter Reports: The Admiralty and Maritime Law Division (Code 11) is the release authority for Admiralty Letter Reports (ALRs) and Dual Purpose Investigations (DPIs) conducted pursuant to Chapter XI of the JAGMAN. (Note that ALRs and DPIs are generally exempt from release under FOIA).
If you would like to request an administrative investigation, please complete a FOIA/PA Investigation Request Sheet to ensure you have provided all information necessary to file a proper FOIA request.
- Claims & Tort Litigation (Code 15):
- Office of the Judge Advocate General
- ATTN: FOIA Coordinator (Code 15)
- 1322 Patterson Ave SE, Suite 3000
- Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5066
- Contact info:
- (202) 685-4600
- InvReqJAG@navy.mil
- Admiralty & Maritime Law (Code 11):
- Office of the Judge Advocate General
- ATTN: OJAG Code 11
- 1322 Patterson Ave., Suite 3000
- Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5066
- Contact info:
- (202) 685-5040
- FOIA_Admiralty@navy.mil
Contact information for individual commands is listed in the Standard Navy Distribution List (SNDL). Requests should be made to the Navy or Marine Corps General Court Martial Convening Authority for the investigation.
Administrative Law Matters
The Administrative Law Division (Code 13) processes FOIA requests for records or information relating to professional responsibility complaints; complaints of wrong filed under Article 138, Uniform Code of Military Justice or under Article 1150 of the U.S. Navy Regulations.
- Office of the Judge Advocate General
- ATTN: Administrative Law Division (Code 13)
- 1322 Patterson Ave., Suite 3000
- Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5066
- E-mail address: JAGFOIA@navy.mil
- Questions concerning administrative law FOIA requests may be directed to Code 13 processing center at:
- JAGFOIA@navy.mil or (703) 614-7415
Criminal Law and Military Justice Matters
The Criminal Law and Military Justice Division (Code 20) processes FOIA requests concerning the military justice system and individual courts-martial; and responds to requests for records of trial. Contact:
- Office of the Judge Advocate General
- Criminal Law Division (Code 20)
- Office of the Judge Advocate General
- 1254 Charles Morris Street SE, Suite B-01
- Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5124
- E-mail address: FOIAMILJUS@navy.mil
- Questions concerning criminal law and military justice FOIA requests may be directed to Code 20 processing center at: (202) 685-6965.
FOIA Appeals
The Secretary of the Navy has delegated appellate authority to the Judge Advocate General and the Department of the Navy General Counsel. The General Litigation Division (Code 14) is responsible for adjudicating all FOIA appeals that fall under the Judge Advocate General's cognizance, including military justice; operational and international law; military personnel law; legal assistance; civil law; intelligence oversight; and litigation involving these matters. Further detail about matters under the Judge Advocate General's cognizance is found in SECNAVINST 5430.27B.
- FOIA appeals within the Judge Advocate General's authority are submitted to:
- Office of the Judge Advocate General
- General Litigation Division (Code 14)
- 1322 Patterson Ave., SE, Suite 3000
- Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5066
Questions concerning FOIA appeals may be directed to OJAG Code 14 at: (202) 685-4596.
DON FOIA Public Liaison
If you have a question regarding which OJAG FOIA Requestor Service Center to contact or have questions regarding the processing of your request by any OJAG FOIA Requestor Service Center, you should contact the OJAG FOIA Coordinator at (703) 614-7415.
If you are not satisfied with the response from any of the OJAG FOIA Requestor Service Centers, you may contact the DON FOIA Public Liaison, Ms. Robin Patterson by phone at (202) 685-0412, by fax at (202) 685-6580, or by e-mail at DONFOIA-PA@navy.mil. You may also contact Ms. Patterson by mail at the following address:
- Chief of Naval Operations (DNS-36)
- 2000 Navy Pentagon
- Washington, DC 20350-2000
FOIA Resources
- Navy FOIA
- SECNAVINST 5720.42F: Department of Navy Freedom of Information Act Program
- DoD FOIA Handbook
- Annual OJAG/NLSC FOIA Reports
- Navy JAG Library
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