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Freedom of Information Act

 

The Department of the Navy (DON), Office of Civilian Human Resources (OCHR) is available to assist you in locating documents on OCHR programs and policies, and in making Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)(5 USC 552) requests for DON civilian personnel records.

Generally the best way to get personnel records is to send a FOIA request to the regional Human Resource Operations Center that maintains the records:

  • OCHR Norfolk Operations Center
    Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Bldg. 17
    Portsmouth, VA 23709
    Phone: (757) 396-7891
    Fax: (757) 396-2499

  • OCHR Philadelphia Operations Center
    700 Robbins Avenue, Bldg 9
    Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098
    Phone: (215) 697-0261
    Fax: (215) 697-0258

  • OCHR Silverdale Operations Center
    3230 NW Randall Way
    Silverdale, WA 98383
    Phone: (360) 315-8191
    Fax: (360) 315-8026

  • OCHR Stennis Operations Center
    NCBC 1800 Dong Xoai, Ave.
    Moreell Bldg. 60 Rm 102A,
    Gulfport, MS 39501
    Phone: (228) 871-3721
    Fax: (228) 871-3719

  • OCHR San Diego Operations Center
    6300 Miramar Way
    San Diego, CA 92145
    Phone: (858) 577-5542
    Fax: (868) 577-5566

Requests for documents on programs and policies should be sent to:

OCHR FOIA Requester Service Center
614 Sicard Street, Suite 100
Washington, DC 20374
Phone: (202) 685-6415
Fax: (202) 685-6616

In whatever form you submit your request (in person, by regular mail, or fax):

  • Label your request “FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST”.
  • Describe the specific record(s) you want in enough detail that a knowledgeable official may locate them with a reasonable amount of effort, including descriptive information, time-frame to be searched, etc. Most records are not retained permanently, so the more information provided, the better we can determine if the records still exist (and where). FOIA states that records must exist at the time the request is submitted to be considered.
  • State your willingness to pay all fees or those up to a specified amount, or provide a justification to support a fee waiver. Agreements to pay fees are considered to be up to $250, unless another amount is specified. Currently we charge search, review (for commercial requesters only), and duplication costs.
  • Include your complete postal service address on your request.

For questions about the processing of your request, contact the Operations Center directly before contacting the OCHR FOIA Requester Service Center. If you are not satisfied with the response, you can reach the DON Chief FOIA Liaison Officer at 202-685-6415

DON’s FOIA policy is contained in the Department of the Navy Freedom of Information Act Program, Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5720.42F (SECNAVINST 5720.42F).

Additional FOIA information may be found at the Department of the Navy Freedom of Information Act Office.