Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
COVID-19 Update: FOIA Requests and FOIA Appeals
In order to support the effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, social distancing has resulted in minimal staffing. During this challenging time, you are strongly encouraged to submit a FOIA request or FOIA appeal via email or facsimile to prevent any delays in service. Please also include your email address with your FOIA request or FOIA appeal so that we may expeditiously provide you with any non-exempt responsive records.
FOIA Requests:
Email: FOIA12@usps.gov
Online: https://about.usps.com/who/legal/foia/make-request.htm
Facsimile: 202-268-5353
FOIA Appeals:
Email: FOIAAppeal@usps.gov
Facsimile: 202-268-5353
FOIA requests and FOIA appeals received through the mail will still be accepted and processed. The Postal Service remains committed to its duty under the Freedom of Information Act and to its community of FOIA requesters.
I signed this measure with a deep sense of pride that the United States is an open society in which the people's right to know is cherished and guarded.
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal law that provides the public with a right to access government records. The purpose of the law is to ensure an informed citizenry by providing the public with access to information that sheds light on an agency’s performance of its statutory duties. The FOIA provides that any person may ask any federal agency for records and that the agency must provide those records, unless an exemption applies or the records fall outside the coverage of the FOIA.
Feature sections
- Make a Request
Access information on how to make a request online or by mail, including who to contact with questions and how to request special categories of information.
Identity Certification
Are you requesting records about yourself? Please complete this form to certify your identity and submit the form with your request for records.Privacy Waiver
Are you requesting records about another individual? That individual will need to complete this form authorizing the Postal Service to disclose records about that individual to you. Please submit the completed form with your request for records.- Resources
Explore these links to Postal Service policies and regulations, the FOIA and Privacy Act statutes, and external resources.
- FOIA Library
The FOIA Library contains records that are routinely made available to the public, as well as documents frequently requested under the FOIA. Before making a request, check here to see if the record you are looking for is already publically available.
- Systems of Records/Major Information Systems
Browse an index of the Postal Service’s System of Records and Major Information Systems.
- FAQs
Look here for answers to frequently asked questions.