Getting Started
You may use the Electronic Submission to submit requests for documents under the Freedom of Information Act. This tool can be used to submit a request for records maintained or controlled by the Department of State. Requests should be submitted by only one method – electronically, by facsimile, or by mail. Please DO NOT submit duplicate requests. You may contact our staff for confirmation of receipt or to check on the status of a submission.
The Department of State maintains records dealing with: (A) formulation and execution of U.S. Foreign Policy, (B) administration and operations of the Department of State and U.S. Missions abroad, (C) applications from U.S. Citizens for U.S. Passports, (D) visa requests from non-citizens to enter the U.S., (E) consular assistance given to U.S. Citizens abroad, and (F) current and former employees of the Department of State. You may use this form to submit requests for DEPARTMENT OF STATE RECORDS. If you are not requesting Department of State records, you may wish to visit other Federal Agencies' FOIA websites.
Are you requesting Department of State records? *
The Department of State maintains the following personal records: (A) applications from U.S. citizens for U.S. passports, (B) visa requests from non-citizens to enter the U.S., (C) personal correspondence with U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Missions abroad, and (D) Employment records of current and former employees of the Department of State. In order to protect your privacy as well as the privacy of others, requests for personal information should include either a notarized statement or a statement signed under penalty of perjury stating that you are the individual you claim to be. REQUESTS FOR PERSONAL INFORMATION CANNOT BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY AND SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY MAIL.
Are you requesting records containing personal information? *
The Department of State maintains records on visa requests from non-citizens to enter the United States. Records dealing with visa requests are considered personal information; therefore, requests for such records should be submitted by mail. Click Here to learn more about Visa Records.
Are you requesting records dealing with visa requests? *
Description
Describe the records you are seeking as clearly and precisely as you can. If your request is vague or too broad, we may ask you to be more specific, and this will delay the processing of your request. If you are requesting a copy of a Department of State contract, please provide the contract number.
The following information will assist us in conducting a search:
- type of record
- timeframe of record
- specific subject matter, country, region, person and/or organization
- Offices, Bureaus, Embassies, or Consulates originating or receiving the record
- particular event, policy, or circumstance that led to the creation of the record
- reason why you believe the records exists
- if requesting information involving a contract with the Department of State, the contract number, approximate date, type of contract and name of contractor
Please describe the records you are seeking as clearly and precisely as possible: *
Time Frame of Records *
Please provide a timeframe for which you would like the Department to search for relevant material. If you are searching for information surrounding a particular event, it is suggested that you set a date range prior to the date of the event if you are interested in background material. Please consider that the greater the range date, the longer it may take to process your request and the greater the amount of fees you will be charged.
Permanent Department of State records that were created prior to 1977 and pre-1925 for passport and pre-1940 visa records are property of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on how to locate Department of State records at the National Archives, you may wish to visit the National Archives website.
Additional Information
Please enter any additional comments you would like to have included with your request:
You may also provide additional information by facsimile (202-261-8579). Please provide a copy of your request if you are faxing additional information.
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If you encounter difficulty using the electronic submission form, you may wish to use the FOIA Request Walkthrough and the Information Access Guide as guidance for writing your request.
The confidentiality of communications sent via the Internet cannot be guaranteed and the electronic submission of your Freedom of Information Act request is purely voluntary. You may alternatively print the contents of your request letter and submit via fax at (202) 485-1669 or via U.S. mail.
† Although you are not required to provide your email address or telephone number, doing so will help facilitate communication and providing an email address will allow us to provide you with an automatic acknowledgement of receipt.