Freedom of Information Act contacts
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Freedom of Information Act contacts
  • Department of Agriculture
    Rita Morgan
    Acting FOIA/PA Coordinator
    Room 440AA, Whitten Building
    Washington, D.C. 20250-1300
    telephone number: (202) 720-8164
  • Department of Commerce
    Brenda Dolan
    FOIA/PA Officer, Room 5327
    14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20230
    telephone number: (202) 482-3258
    fax number: (202) 219-8979
    e-mail address: EFoia@doc.gov
  • Department of Defense (Policy Guidance Only)
    Will Kammer
    Defense Freedom of Information Policy Office
    1155 Defense Pentagon
    Washington, D.C. 20301-1155
    telephone number: (703) 696-4689
    fax number: (703) 696-4506
  • Air Force
    John Espinal
    HAF/ICIOD (FOIA)
    1000 Air Force Pentagon
    Washington, D.C. 20330-1000
    telephone number: (703) 696-7263
    fax number: (703) 696-7273
    e-mail address: haffoia.workflow@pentagon.af.mil
  • Army
    Robert Dickerson
    Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts Division
    Attn: AHRC-PDD-FP
    7701 Telegraph Road
    Alexandria, VA 22315-3860
    telephone number: (703) 428-6508
    fax number: (703) 428-6522
    e-mail address: e-mail address: DAFOIA@conus.army.mil
  • Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA)
    Donna Williamson
    FOIA/Privacy Officer
    1300 E Avenue
    Fort Lee, VA 23801-1800
    telephone number: (804) 734-8777
  • Defense Contract Audit Agency
    Susan Aldorfer
    8725 John J. Kingman Road, Suite 2135
    Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6219
    telephone number: (703) 767-1002
    fax number: (703) 767-1011
    e-mail address: DCAA-FOIA@dcaa.mil
  • Defense Contract Management Agency
    Cathy Alphin
    P.O. Box 151300
    Alexandria, VA 22315-9998
    telephone number: (703) 428-1453
    fax number: (703) 428-3580
  • Defense Finance and Accounting Service
    Linda Krabbenhoft
    FOIA/PA Program Manager
    DFAS-HAC/DE
    6760 East Irvington Place
    Denver, CO 80279-8000
    telephone number: (303) 676-6045
    fax number: (303) 676-7710
    e-mail address: linda.krabbenhoft@dfas.mil
  • Defense Information Systems Agency
    Robin M. Berger
    Code GC, P.O. Box 4502
    Arlington, VA 22204-2199
    telephone number: (703) 607-6515
    fax number: (703) 607-4344
    e-mail address: robin.berger@disa.mil
  • Defense Intelligence Agency
    Brian S. Kinsey
    Chief, FOIA Staff, DAN-1A
    Washington, D.C. 20340-5100
    telephone number: (202) 231-3916
    fax number: (202) 231-3909
    e-mail address: foia@dia.mil
  • Defense Logistics Agency
    Lewis Oleinick
    Chief Privacy and FOIA Officer
    Stop 2533
    8725 John J. Kingman Road
    Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6221
    telephone number: (703) 767-6194
    fax number: (703) 767-6091
  • Defense Security Service
    Les Blake
    Chief, Office of FOIA and Privacy, GCF
    1340 Braddock Place
    Alexandria, VA 22314-1651
    telephone number: (703) 325-5991
    fax number: (703) 325-5341
    e-mail address: leslie.blake@mail.dss.mil
  • Defense Threat Reduction Agency
    Brenda Carter
    COSMI (FOIA)
    8725 John J. Kingman Road
    Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6201
    telephone number: (703) 767-1792
    fax number: (703) 767-3623
    e-mail adress: efoia@dtra.mil
  • Marine Corps
    Teresa (Tracy) D. Ross
    FOIA/PA Coordinator
    Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps [CMC (ARSF)]
    2 Navy Annex
    Washington, D.C. 20380-1775
    telephone number: (703) 614-4008/3685
    fax number: (703) 614-6287
    e-mail address: rosstd@hqmc.usmc.mil
  • National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
    Annette Newman
    Office of the General Counsel
    4600 Sangamore Road (D-10)
    Bethesda, MD 20816
    telephone number: (301) 227-4744
    fax number: (301) 227-2035
  • National Reconnaissance Office
    Information Access and Release Center
    14675 Lee Road
    Chantilly, VA 20151-1715
    telephone number: (703) 227-9128
    fax number: (703) 227-9198
    e-mail address: foia@nro.mil
  • National Security Agency
    Pamela N. Phillips
    Chief, FOIA/PA Services
    Office of Information Policy, DC321
    Ft. George G. Meade, MD 20755-6248
    telephone number: (301) 688-6527
    fax number: (301) 688-6198
  • Navy
    Doris M. Lama
    Head, DONPA/FOIA Policy Branch
    CNO (DNS-36)
    2000 Navy Pentagon
    Washington, D.C. 20350-2000
    telephone number: (202) 685-6545
    fax number: (202) 685-6580
    e-mail address: foia@mail.navy.mil
  • Office of the Inspector General
    Darryl R. Aaron
    Chief, FOIA/PA Office
    400 Army Navy Drive, Room 1034
    Arlington, VA 22202-2885
    telephone number: (703) 604-9775
    fax number: (703) 602-0294
    e-mail address: foia@dodig.mil
  • Office of the Secretary of Defense and Joint Staff
    Will Kammer
    OSD/JS FOIA Requester Service Center
    Office of Freedom of Information
    1155 Defense Pentagon
    Washington, D.C. 20301-1155
    telephone number: (703) 696-4689
    fax number: (703) 696-4506
  • Department of Education
    Angela Arrington
    Chief, FOIA Office
    PCP-9156
    550 12th Street, S.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20202-4700
    telephone number: (202) 245-6651
  • Department of Energy
    Abel Lopez
    Director, FOIA/PA Division, ME-73
    1000 Independence Avenue, S.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20585
    telephone number: (202) 586-5955
    fax number: (202) 586-0575
  • Department of Health and Human Services
    Robert Eckert
    Director, FOIA/Privacy Division
    Room 5416, Mary E. Switzer Building
    330 C Street, S.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20201
    telephone number: (202) 690-7453
    fax number: (202) 690-8320

  • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
    Michael S. Marquis
    Director, Freedom of Information Group
    Room N2-20-16
    7500 Security Boulevard
    Baltimore, MD 21244-1850
    telephone number: (410) 786-5353
    fax number: (410) 786-0474
  • Food and Drug Administration
    Frederick J. Sadler
    Acting Director, FOI Staff
    5600 Fishers Lane (HFI-30)
    Rockville, MD 20857
    telephone number: (301) 827-6567
    fax number: (301) 443-1726
  • National Institutes of Health
    Susan R. Cornell
    FOIA Officer
    Building 31, Room 5B35
    9000 Rockville Pike
    Bethesda, MD 20892
    telephone number: (301) 496-5633
    fax number: (301) 402-4541
  • Public Health Service
    Darlene Christian
    FOIA Officer
    Room 17A46
    5600 Fishers Lane
    Rockville, MD 20857
    telephone number: (301) 443-5252
    fax number: (301) 443-0925
    e-mail address: dchristian@psc.gov
  • Department of Homeland Security
    Catherine M. Papoi
    Director, Departmental Disclosure, D-3
    601 South 12th Street
    Arlington, VA 22202
    telephone number: (571) 227-3813
    fax number: (571) 227-1125
    • Bureau of Customs and Border Protection
      Shari Suzuki
      Chief, Disclosure Law Branch
      1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
      Washington, D.C. 20229
      telephone number: (202) 572-8720
      fax number: (202) 572-8755
    • United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
      Brian J. Welsh
      FOIA Officer
      FOIA/PA Program
      150 Space Center Loop, Suite 300
      Lee's Summit, MO 64064-8010
      telephone number: (816) 350-5570
      fax number: (816) 350-5785
      e-mail address: USCIS.FOIA@DHS.GOV
    • United States Coast Guard
      Donald G. Taylor
      HQ USCG Commandant, CG-611
      Washington, D.C. 20593-0001
      telephone number: (202) 475-3519
      fax number: (202) 475-3926
    • Federal Emergency Management Agency
      Jeff Ovall
      FOI/PA Specialist, Room 840
      500 C Street, S.W.
      Washington, D.C. 20472
      telephone number: (202) 646-3051
      fax number: (202) 646-4536
    • Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
      Marty Zimmerman-Pate
      1131 Chapel Crossing Road, Building 681
      Glynco, GA 31524
      telephone number: (912) 267-3103
      fax number: (912) 267-3113
    • United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement
      Catrina Pavlik-Keenan
      800 N. Capitol Street
      Fifth Floor, Suite 585
      Washington, D.C. 20536
      Telephone number: (202) 732-0300
      Toll-free number: (866) 633-1182
      Fax number: (202) 732-0310
    • Office of Inspector General
      William Holzerland
      245 Murray Drive, Building 410
      Mail Stop 2600
      Washington, D.C. 20528-0001
      telephone number: (202) 254-4002
      fax number: (202) 254-4287
    • United States Secret Service
      Latita M. Huff
      Disclosure Officer
      Bldg. 410
      245 Murray Drive
      Washington, D.C. 20223
      telephone number: (202) 406-5838
      fax number: (202) 406-5154
    • Transportation Security Administration
      Kevin J. Janet
      FOIA Officer, TSA-20
      601 South 12th Street
      Arlington, VA 22202-4220
      telephone number: (571) 227-2300
      fax number: (571) 227-1406
    • US-VISIT
      Barbara Harrison
      FOIA Officer
      Washington, D.C. 20528
      telephone number: (202) 298-5200
      fax number: (202) 298-5201
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development
    Cynthia A. O'Connor
    Executive Secretary
    Room 10139
    451 7th Street, S.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20410
    telephone number: (202) 708-3054
    fax number: (202) 619-8365
    e-mail address: foia_hud@hud.gov
  • Department of the Interior
    Alexandra Mallus
    Departmental FOIA Officer (MS-5312 MIB)
    Office of Information Resources Management
    1849 C Street, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20240
    telephone number: (202) 208-5342
    fax number: (202) 501-2360
    e-mail address: alexandra_mallus@ios.doi.gov
  • Department of Justice

  • Department of Labor
    Joseph J. Plick
    Office of the Solicitor, Room N-2428
    200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20210
    telephone number: (202) 693-5500
    fax number: (202) 693-5538
  • Department of State
    Margaret P. Grafeld
    Director, Office of IRM Programs and Services, SA-2
    5th Floor
    Washington, D.C. 20522-6001
    telephone number for inquiries: (202) 261-8484
    fax number: (202) 261-8579
  • Department of Transportation
    Kathy Ray
    Departmental FOIA Officer
    Office of the General Counsel (C-12)
    1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Suite W94-122
    Washington, D.C. 20590
    telephone number: (202) 366-4542
    fax number: (202) 366-8536
  • Federal Aviation Administration
    Harry Olmsted, Manager
    National FOIA Staff, ARC-40
    800 Independence Avenue, S.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20591
    telephone number: (202) 267-9165
    fax number: (202) 493-5032
    e-mail address: 7-AWA-ARC-FOIA@faa.gov
  • Department of the Treasury
    Hugh Gilmore, Director
    Disclosure Services
    1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20220
    telephone number: (202) 622-0930
    fax number: (202) 622-3895
  • Comptroller of the Currency
    Frank Vance, Jr.
    Disclosure Officer
    Washington, D.C. 20219
    telephone number: (202) 874-4700
    fax number: (202) 874-5274
    e-mail address: foia-pa@occ.treas.gov
  • Internal Revenue Service
    Albert D. Adams
    Director, Disclosure
    Office of Disclosure
    1111 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20224
    telephone number: (202) 927-7425
  • Office of Thrift Supervision
    Roslyn Weeks
    Program Specialist (FOIA)
    Dissemination Branch
    1700 G Street, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20552
    telephone number: (202) 906-5922
    fax number: (202) 906-7755
    e-mail address: public.info@ots.treas.gov
  • Department of Veterans Affairs
    John Livornese, Director
    Records Management Service (005R1B)
    810 Vermont Avenue, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20420
    telephone number: (202) 565-7819
    fax number: (202) 565-6950

  Federal Agencies

Executive Office of the President
  • Council on Environmental Quality
    Edward A. Boling
    Deputy General Counsel
    722 Jackson Place, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20503
    telephone number: (202) 395-5750
  • Office of Management and Budget
    Dionne Hardy
    FOIA Officer
    9026 New Executive Office Building
    Washington, D.C. 20503
    telephone number: (202) 395-3642
    fax number: (202) 395-3504
    For policy guidance on FOIA fee matters, FOIA Officers may call OMB's Dan Costello at (202) 395-7857. Privacy Act Officers may call OMB's Hillary A. Jaffe at (202) 395-0348 for Privacy Act policy guidance.
  • Office of National Drug Control Policy
    Daniel Petersen
    Assistant General Counsel
    Washington, D.C. 20503
  • Office of Science and Technology Policy
    Aaron M. Flynn
    Associate General Counsel
    431 Eisenhower Executive Office Building
    Washington, D.C. 20502
    telephone number: (202) 456-6125
    fax number: (202) 456-6027
  • Office of the United States Trade Representative
    Sybia Harrison
    FOIA Officer
    600 17th Street, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20508
    telephone number: (202) 395-3419
    fax number: (202) 395-9458
    e-mail address: sharrison@ustr.gov
  • Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board
    Seth M. Wood
    Deputy Executive Director and Counsel
    1724 F Street, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20502
    telephone number: (202) 456-1240
    fax number: (202) 456-1066
  • Export-Import Bank
    Joseph Sorbera
    Deputy Treasurer Controller
    811 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Room 1053
    Washington, D.C. 20571
    telephone number: (202) 565-3241
    fax number: (202) 565-3294
  • Farm Credit Administration
    Debra Buccolo
    FOI Officer
    1501 Farm Credit Drive
    McLean, VA 22102-5090
    telephone number: (703) 883-4022
    fax number: (703) 790-0052
    e-mail address: foiaofficer@fca.gov
  • Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation
    Debra Buccolo
    FOI Officer
    1501 Farm Credit Drive
    McLean, VA 22102-5090
    telephone number: (703) 883-4022
    fax number: (703) 790-0052
    e-mail address: foiaofficer@fca.gov
  • Federal Communications Commission
    Shoko B. Hair
    FOIA Officer
    Room 5C406
    445 12th Street, S.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20554
    telephone number: (202) 418-1379
    fax number: (202) 418-0521
  • Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
    Fred Fisch
    Supervisory Counsel, Room H-3039
    550 17th Street, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20429
    telephone number: (202) 898-7021
    fax number: (202) 736-0547
    e-mail address: efoia@fdic.gov
  • Federal Election Commission
    Lawrence Calvert
    Acting Chief FOIA Officer
    999 E Street, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20463
    telephone number: (202) 694-1650
    fax number: (202) 219-1043
  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
    Andrew J. Black
    Director
    Office of External Affairs
    888 1st Street, N.E.
    Washington, D.C. 20426
    telephone number: (202) 502-8004
    fax number: (202) 208-2106
  • Federal Housing Finance Board
    Janice Kaye
    FOIA Officer
    1777 F Street, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20006
    telephone number: (202) 408-2511
    fax number: (202) 408-2580
    e-mail address: foia@fhfb.gov
  • Federal Labor Relations Authority
    Richard Zorn
    FOIA Officer
    Office of the General Counsel
    Suite 210
    607 14th Street, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20424
    telephone number: (202) 218-7743
    fax number: (202) 482-6608
  • Federal Maritime Commission
    Bryant L. VanBrakle
    Secretary of the Commission
    800 North Capitol Street, N.W., Room 1046
    Washington, D.C. 20573
    telephone number: (202) 523-5725
  • Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
    Maria Fried
    General Counsel
    2100 K Street, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20427
    telephone number: (202) 606-5444
    e-mail address: foia@fmcs.gov
  • Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission
    Richard Baker
    Executive Director
    601 New Jersey Avenue, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20001-2021
    telephone number: (202) 434-9905
    fax number: (202) 434-9906
    e-mail address: info@fmshrc.gov
  • Federal Open Market Committee
    Carol R. Low
    Secretariat Assistant
    20th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Mail Stop 55
    Washington, D.C. 20551
    telephone number: (202) 452-3255
    fax number: (202) 452-2921
  • Federal Reserve System
    Jean McLaughlin
    FOIA Manager
    20th and C Streets, N.W., Room MP500
    Washington, D.C. 20551
    telephone number: (202) 452-2407
    fax number: (202) 872-7565
  • Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board
    James B. Petrick
    Associate General Counsel and FOIA Officer
    1250 H Street, N.W., 2nd Floor
    Washington, D.C. 20005-3952
    telephone number: (202) 942-1630
    fax number: (202) 942-1676
  • Federal Trade Commission
    Joan Fina
    FOIA/PA Officer
    6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20580
    telephone number: (202) 326-2013
    fax number: (202) 326-2477
    e-mail address: foia@ftc.gov
  • General Services Administration
    Sharon V. Lighton
    FOIA Officer
    Information Management and Administrative Policy Division
    Room 7123
    1800 F Street, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20405
    telephone number: (202) 501-2262
    fax number: (202) 501-2727
    e-mail address: gsa.foia@gsa.gov
  • Institute of Museum and Library Services
    Mae Patten
    Office of the General Counsel
    Room 802
    1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20506
    telephone number: (202) 653-4642
    fax number: (202) 653-4625
  • Inter-American Foundation
    Jocelyn Nieva
    Assistant General Counsel
    10th Floor
    901 North Stuart Street
    Arlington, VA 22203
    telephone number: (703) 306-4301
  • Legal Services Corporation
    Patricia Batie
    FOIA Officer
    3333 K Street, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20007
    telephone number: (202) 295-1625
    fax number: (202) 337-6519
    e-mail address: info@smtp.lsc.gov
  • Merit Systems Protection Board
    Arlin Winefordner
    FOIA/PA Officer
    Office of the Clerk
    1615 M Street, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20419
    telephone number: (202) 653-7200, ext. 1162
    fax number: (202) 653-7130
    e-mail address: mspb@mspb.gov
  • Millennium Challenge Corporation
    John C. Mantini
    Assistant General Counsel for Administration
    875 15th Street, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20005
    telephone number: (202) 521-3863
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Stephen McConnell
    FOIA Officer (Code PS)
    300 E Street, S.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20546
    telephone number: (202) 358-0068
    fax number: (202) 358-4345
    e-mail address: foia@hq.nasa.gov
  • National Archives and Records Administration
    Ramona Oliver
    FOIA Officer
    Office of the General Counsel
    Room 3110
    8601 Adelphi Road
    College Park, MD 20740-6001
    telephone number: (301) 837-2024
  • National Capital Planning Commission
    Lois Schiffer
    General Counsel
    North Lobby, Suite 500
    401 9th Street, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20004
    telephone number: (202) 482-7200
  • National Credit Union Administration
    Linda Dent
    Staff Attorney
    1775 Duke Street
    Alexandria, VA 22314
    telephone number: (703) 518-6540
    fax number: (703) 518-6569
    e-mail address: foia@ncua.gov
  • National Endowment for the Arts
    Kate Reynolds
    FOIA Officer
    1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 518
    Washington, D.C. 20506
    telephone number: (202) 682-5505
    fax number: (202) 682-5572
    e-mail address: foia@arts.endow.gov
  • National Endowment for the Humanities
    Heather C. Gottry
    Deputy General Counsel
    1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 529
    Washington, D.C. 20506
    telephone number: (202) 606-8322
    fax number: (202) 606-8600
    e-mail address: foia@neh.gov
  • National Indian Gaming Commission
    Jeannie McCoy
    FOIA/PA Officer
    Suite 9100
    1441 L Street, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20005
    telephone number: (202) 632-7003
    fax number: (202) 632-7066
  • National Labor Relations Board
    Jacqueline A. Young
    Assistant General Counsel
    Room 10612
    1099 14th Street, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20570
    telephone number: (202) 273-3840
  • National Mediation Board
    Judy A. Femi
    FOIA Officer
    1301 K Street, N.W., Suite 250 East
    Washington, D.C. 20572
    telephone number: (202) 692-5040
    fax number: (202) 692-5085
  • National Science Foundation
    Leslie A. Jensen
    FOIA Officer, Room 1265
    Office of the General Counsel
    4201 Wilson Boulevard
    Arlington, VA 22230
    telephone number: (703) 292-8060
    fax number: (703) 292-9041
    e-mail address: foia@nsf.gov
  • National Transportation Safety Board
    Melba D. Moye
    FOIA Officer
    490 L'Enfant Plaza East, S.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20594
    telephone number: (202) 314-6551
    fax number: (202) 314-6132
  • Nuclear Regulatory Commission
    Russell A. Nichols
    FOIA/PA Officer
    Washington, D.C. 20555
    telephone number: (301) 415-7169
    fax number: (301) 415-5130
    e-mail address: foia@nrc.gov
  • Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
    Robert Kahn
    Attorney-Advisor
    1120 20th Street, N.W., 9th Floor
    Washington, D.C. 20036-3419
    telephone number: (202) 606-5410
  • Office of the Director of National Intelligence
    John F. Hackett
    Director, Information Management Office
    Washington, D.C. 20511
    telephone number: (703) 482-1707
  • Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight
    Jeanne Ratchford
    FOIA Officer
    1700 G Street, N.W., 4th Floor
    Washington, D.C. 20552
    telephone number: (202) 414-6425
    fax number: (202) 414-8917
    e-mail address: FOIAOffice@ofheo.gov
  • Office of Government Ethics
    William E. Gressman
    Senior Associate General Counsel
    1201 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 500
    Washington, D.C. 20005-3917
    telephone number: (202) 482-9245
    fax number: (202) 482-9237
  • Office of Personnel Management
    Donna G. Lease
    FOIA/PA Co-ordinator
    Room 5415
    1900 E Street, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20415
    telephone number: (202) 606-2150
    fax number: (202) 418-3251
    e-mail address: foia@opm.gov
  • Office of Special Counsel
    Christopher M. Kurt
    FOIA/PA Specialist
    1730 M Street, N.W., Suite 201
    Washington, D.C. 20036-4505
    telephone number: (202) 254-3600
  • Overseas Private Investment Corporation
    Eli H. Landy
    FOIA Director
    1100 New York Avenue, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20527
    telephone number: (202) 336-8418
    fax number: (202) 408-0297
    e-mail address: info@opic.gov
  • Peace Corps
    Marianne Manheim
    FOIA Officer
    1111 20th Street, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20526-0001
    telephone number: (202) 692-1186
    fax number: (202) 692-1121
  • Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
    E. William FitzGerald
    Disclosure Officer, Room 240
    1200 K Street, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20005
    telephone number: (202) 326-4040
  • Postal Regulatory Commission
    Steven W. Williams
    Secretary
    Suite 200
    901 New York Avenue, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20268
    telephone number: (202) 789-6840
    fax number: (202) 789-6886
  • Railroad Retirement Board
    Steven Bartholow
    General Counsel
    844 Rush Street
    Chicago, IL 60611
    telephone number: (312) 751-4935
    fax number: (312) 751-7102
  • Securities and Exchange Commission
    Celia Winter
    FOIA/Privacy Act Branch Chief
    Mail Stop 5100
    100 F Street, N.E.
    Washington, D.C. 20549
    telephone number: (202) 551-7900
    fax number: (202) 772-9337
    e-mail address: foia/pa@sec.gov
  • Selective Service System
    Paula A. Sweeney
    FOIA Officer
    1515 Wilson Boulevard
    Arlington, VA 22209-2425
    telephone number: (703) 605-4100
    fax number: (703) 605-4106
  • Small Business Administration
    Lisa Babcock
    Chief, Office of FOI/PA
    409 3rd Street, S.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20416
    telephone number: (202) 401-8203
    fax number: (202) 205-7059
    e-mail address: foia@sba.gov
  • Social Security Administration
    Jonathan Cantor
    FOIA Office, Room 3-A-6 Operations
    6401 Security Boulevard
    Baltimore, MD 21235
    telephone number: (410) 966-6645
    fax number: (410) 966-4304
  • Surface Transportation Board
    Marilyn L. Levitt
    FOIA/PA Officer, Room 1263
    395 E Street, S.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20423-0001
    telephone number: (202) 245-0269
    fax number: (202) 245-0460
    e-mail address: FOIA.Privacy@stb.dot.gov
  • Tennessee Valley Authority
    Denise Smith
    FOIA Officer
    400 West Summit Hill Drive
    Knoxville, TN 37902
    telephone number: (865) 632-6945
    fax number: (865) 632-6901
    e-mail address: foia@tva.gov
  • United States Copyright Office
    Peter Vankevich
    Supervisory Copyright Information Specialist
    P.O. Box 70400
    Southwest Station
    Washington, D.C. 20024
    telephone number: (202) 707-6800
    fax number: (202) 707-6859
  • United States International Trade Commission
    Marilyn R. Abbott
    Secretary to the Commission
    500 E Street, S.W., Room 112A
    Washington, D.C. 20436
    telephone: (202) 205-2000
    fax number: (202) 205-2104
  • United States Postal Service
    Jane Eyre
    Manager, Records Office
    475 L'Enfant Plaza West, S.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20260-5202
    telephone number: (202) 268-2608
    fax number: (202) 268-5353
  • United States Trade and Development Agency
    Kendra Link
    Attorney-Advisor
    Suite 1600
    1000 Wilson Blvd.
    Arlington, VA 22209-3901
    telephone number: (703) 875-4357
    fax number: (703) 875-4009

  • DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
    FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
    REFERENCE GUIDE

    I. Introduction

    The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which can be found in Title 5 of the United States Code, section 552(1), was enacted in 1966 and generally provides that any person has the right to request access to federal agency records or information. All agencies of the Executive Branch of the United States Government are required to disclose records upon receiving a written request for them, except for those records (or portions of them) that are protected from disclosure by the nine exemptions and three exclusions of the FOIA. This right of access is enforceable in court, and it is supported at the administrative agency level by the "citizen-centered and results-oriented approach" of a presidential executive order (see below).
    The FOIA does not, however, provide access to records held by Congress or the federal courts, by state or local government agencies, or by private businesses or individuals. All states have their own statutes governing public access to state and local government records; state agencies should be consulted for further information about them.
    This Reference Guide is designed to familiarize you with the specific procedures for making a FOIA request to the United States Department of Justice. The process is neither complicated nor time consuming. Following the guidance below will make it more likely that you will receive the information that you are seeking in the shortest amount of time possible. This Reference Guide also includes descriptions of the types of records maintained by different parts of the Department, some of which are readily available through means other than the FOIA, including through the World Wide Web. The Justice Department's home page on the World Wide Web is at www.usdoj.gov; in particular, its FOIA home page is at www.usdoj.gov/foia.
    Initially, it is important to understand that there is no central office in the government that processes FOIA requests for all federal agencies. Each agency responds to requests for its own records. Therefore, before sending a request to the Justice Department you should determine whether this agency is likely to have the records you are seeking. Each agency should have its own FOIA reference guide, so if the records you are interested in are kept by another agency you may wish to request a copy of that agency's guide from its FOIA office or view it on that agency's FOIA site on the World Wide Web. A list of the principal FOIA contacts at other federal agencies is attached as Attachment A.
    Other general sources of information about how to make a FOIA request include:
    • "Your Right to ederal Records." This pamphlet is a joint publication of the General Services Administration and the Department of Justice. It is available for sale for one dollar per copy from the Federal Citizen Information Center, Department 320N, Pueblo, CO 81009 or (888) 878-3256. It also can be accessed on the Justice Department's FOIA site on the World Wide Web under "Reference Materials."
    • "A Citizen's Guide on Usig the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act of 1974 to Request Government Records." This report is published by the Committee on Government Reform of the House of Representatives. It also can be accessed on the Justice Department's FOIA site on the World Wide Web under "Reference Materials" and is available for sale at the U.S. Government Printing Office by calling (202) 512-1808.
    • Also, a more general publication, the "Consumer Action Handbook," describes which federal agencies are responsible for specific consumer problems and where to write for assistance on them. Single copies of this publication may be obtained for free by calling (888) 878-3256. This booklet also can be accessed on the General Services Administration's site on the World Wide Web at www.consumeraction.gov.
    In December 2005, an executive order on the FOIA was issued by President Bush. Entitled "Improving Agency Disclosure of Information," this order establishes the position of Chief FOIA Officer -- a high-level official who monitors FOIA implementation throughout the agency, recommends to the head of the agency such adjustments to practices and policies as may be necessary, and prepares reports on the agency's performance in implementing the FOIA. It also requires all federal agencies to establish one or more FOIA Requester Service Centers and FOIA Public Liaisons to assist FOIA requesters with inquiries about the FOIA process in general and their FOIA requests in particular. (A copy of this recent executive order is attached as Attchment B.) Accordingly, Attachment C of this Reference Guide contains a listing of the FOIA Requester Service Center/FOIA Public Liaison information for each Justice Department component.
    The formal rules for the making of FOIA requests to the Justice Department are set forth in Chapter 16 of Volume 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This multiple-volume set is available in all law libraries and federal depository libraries. A copy of the portions of Chapter 16 pertaining to making FOIA requests may be obtained from the Justice Management Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20530-0001. These regulations also can be accessed on the Department of Justice's FOIA site on the World Wide Web under "Making a FOIA Request." However, in most cases this Reference Guide should provide you with all the basic information that you will need.

    II. Access to Certain Records Without a FOIA Request

    All agencies are required by statute to make certain types of records, created by the agency on or after November 1, 1996, available electronically. If you have access to the World Wide Web, you will not need to make a FOIA request to obtain access to these records. These records include: (1) final opinions and orders made in the adjudication of cases; (2) final statements of policy and interpretations which have not been published in the Federal Register; (3) administrative staff manuals and instructions to staff that affect members of the public; (4) copies of records that have been the subject of a FOIA request and that also are the subject of sufficient public interest or curiosity that the agency believes that other persons are likely to request (or already have requested) them; and (5) the agency's annual FOIA report -- which includes such information as the number of FOIA requests received by the agency, the amount of time taken to process requests, the total amount of fees collected by the agency, information regarding the backlog of pending requests, and other information about the agency's handling of FOIA requests.
    The Department of Justice has a site on the World Wide Web, accessed at www.usdoj.gov, that contains a wealth of FOIA-related information. This Web site also includes a link to FirstGov, where you will find links to the World Wide Web sites of all other federal executive branch agencies. Each Justice Department component maintains its own home page, which contains a wide variety of substantive information for which a FOIA request is not required. Another good general source of information is all of the information that can be found under the "Highlights," "Most Requested," and "What We Do" sections of the Justice Department's home page.
    The Department of Justice maintains a FOIAhome page, which can be accessed from the Department's home page. This Web site includes the Justice Department's annual FOIA report, a variety of reference materials, information on how to make a FOIA request, and copies of all relevant statutes. Additionally, this Web site provides links to component electronic reading rooms that contain the records the FOIA requires to be made available automatically in electronic form.
    The Department of Justice also makes certain records -- such as general reports, certain litigation-related documents, and publications, available in paper form without requiring a formal FOIA request. These types of materials are described on a component-by-component basis in Attachment C, in accordance with Executive Order 13,392 (Dec. 14, 2005), and many potential FOIA requesters can save time by carefully reviewing what already is posted on the Justice Department's Web site before making a FOIA request.
    Among these records is the Justice Department's annual rport on the Freedom of Information Act, which includes extensive statistical information about FOIA requests to the Justice Department. Copies of the Justice Department's annual FOIA report may be obtained from the Justice Management Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20530-0001, in addition to being accessible electronically through the Justice Department's Web site. The annual FOIA reports of all other federal agencies are available through the Justice Department's Web site. The Justice Department also submits a separate report to Congress on a calendar-year basis which describes its efforts to "encourage agency compliance" with the FOIA and which also lists all FOIA litigation cases against all federal agencies in which decisions were rendered by the courts in that year.
    Attachment D of this Reference Guide contains descriptions of the Department's major information systems, arranged in two ways -- by component and also alphabetically. These descriptions can be accessed from the Justice Department's FOIA page on the World Wide Web under "Reference Guide."

    III. Where to Make a FOIA Request

    The Department of Justice is organized into a number of bureaus, divisions, and offices. These subdivisions of the Department are often referred to as "components." Within the Justice Department, each component processes its own records. Therefore, your request will receive the quickest possible response if it is addressed directly to the component that you believe has the records you are seeking. Attachment C contains a description of Justice Department components and their addresses. It also contains the each Justice Department component's FOIA Requester Service Center/FOIA Public Liaison information, in accordance with Executive Order 13,392 (Dec. 14, 2005).
    The functions of each component are summarized in the Department's regulations (Volume 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 0). The "United States Government Manual" also describes the activities of the Justice Department's components. The "United States Government Manual" is issued annually by the Government Printing Office and is available in most libraries. It may be purchased by writing to: Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. To obtain the current price you can call (202) 512-1800; you also may call that telephone number to place an order using one of several major credit cards. In addition, the "United States Government Manual" can be accessed from the Government Printing Office's World Wide Web site, www.gpoaccess.gov, under "Executive Resources."
    In almost all cases, you should send your FOIA request to a component's central FOIA office. For records held by a field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), however, you must write directly to that FBI office. On the other hand, for example, all requests for records held by a United States Attorney's Office should be sent directly to the Executive Office for United States Attorneys in Washington, D.C.
    Because, over time, individual employees of the Justice Department may change job positions, it is not recommended that you address your request to a specific person. Rather, you should include the notation "Freedom of Information Act Request" on the front of your request envelope and also at the beginning of your request letter. In this way you will be sure that the responsible individual receives your request without delay.
    If you believe that the Justice Department does maintain the record(s) you are seeking, but you are uncertain about which component has the record(s), you may send your request to: FOIA/PA Mail Referral Unit, Justice Management Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Room 1070 NPB, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20530-0001, Attention: FOIA Request. Personnel in that division will then forward your request to the component(s) of the Justice Department most likely to maintain the record(s) you are seeking. As noted in the Justice Management Division's part of Attachment C, that component has a special FOIA Requester Service Center/FOIA Public Liaison for this request-forwarding function.

    IV. How to Make a FOIA Request

    A FOIA request can be made for any agency record. This does not mean, however, that the Department of Justice will disclose all records sought. As noted above, there are statutory exemptions that authorize the withholding of information of a sensitive nature. When the Justice Department does withhold information from you, it ordinarily must specify which exemption of the FOIA permits the withholding. You should be aware that the FOIA does not require agencies to do research for you, to analyze data, to answer written questions, or to create records in order to respond to a request.
    Although, as discussed immediately below, certain information may be required from a FOIA requester, no special form is required by the Justice Department. Requests must be in writing, either handwritten or typed. While requests may be submitted by fax, most components of the Justice Department have not yet developed the capability to accept FOIA requests submitted through the World Wide Web.
    In order to protect your privacy as well as the privacy of others, whenever you request information about yourself you will be asked to provide either a notarized statement or a statement signed under penalty of perjury stating that you are the person that you say you are. You may fulfill this requirement by: (1) completing and signing Form DOJ-361 (see Attachment E), (2) having your signature on your request letter witnessed by a notary, or (3) including the following statement immediately above the signature on your request letter: "I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on [date]." If you request information about yourself and do not follow one of these procedures, your request cannot be processed. This requirement helps to ensure that private information about you will not be disclosed to anyone else.
    Likewise, files relating to another person regarding a matter the disclosure of which would invade that person's privacy ordinarily will not be disclosed. For example, if you seek information that would show that someone else (including even your spouse or another member of your immediate family) has ever been the subject of a criminal investigation -- or even was mentioned in a criminal file -- you will be requested to provide either: (1) a statement by that other person, authorizing the release of the information to you, that has been signed by that person and either was witnessed by a notary or includes a declaration made under penalty of perjury (using the language quoted in the preceding paragraph), or (2) evidence that the subject of your request is deceased -- such as a death certificate, a newspaper obituary, or some comparable proof of death. Without the subject's consent or proof of death, in almost all cases the Justice Department will respond to a request made for information concerning another person's possible involvement in a law enforcement matter by stating that it will "neither confirm nor deny" the existence of responsive records. Such law enforcement information about a living person is released without that person's consent only when no personal privacy interest would be invaded by disclosing the information, such as when the information is already public or required to be made public, or when there is such a strong public interest in the disclosure that it overrides the individual's privacy interest.
    In making your request you should be as specific as possible with regard to names, titles, dates, places, events, subjects, recipients, the component(s) likely to maintain that record, etc. In addition, if you want records about a court case, you should provide the title of the case, the court in which the case was filed, and the nature of the case. If known, you should include any file designations or descriptions for the records that you want. You do not have to give a requested record's name or title, but the more specific you are about the records or types of records that you want, the more likely it will be that the Justice Department will be able to locate those records. For example, if you have been interviewed by a law enforcement component of the Justice Department (such as the FBI) in connection with a law enforcement investigation and you wish to request a copy of the interview report, your listing of the date and location of the interview, and the name of the interviewing agent and subject of the investigation, if known, will be helpful to the component in determining where to search and in determining which records respond to your request. Additionally, you should be aware that Justice Department components ordinarily will use the date upon which they begin a record search as the "cut-off" date for determining the records that are responsive to a FOIA request.
    In addition to the statements or information that already have been discussed, some components of the Justice Department require additional specific information in order to process a request for particular types of records. These special requirements are noted, where applicable, as part of the descriptions of components in Attachment C.
    When a Justice Department component receives your FOIA request, it ordinarily will send you a letter acknowledging the request and assigning it an initial request number for continuity and tracking purposes. If you do not provide the necessary information, the component will advise you of what additional information is required before further processing your request.
    Under certain circumstances you may be entitled to receive more information under the Privacy Act of 1974 (a separate federal statute) than under the FOIA. Under the FOIA, generally anyone can request access to any agency record. Privacy Act requests are more limited and can be made only by (a) U.S. citizens or aliens lawfully admitted for permanent U.S. residence, (b) who are seeking information about themselves, (c) which is in a system of records maintained under their names or other personal identifiers. Even if a request does not mention the Privacy Act, however, the Justice Department automatically treats requests as being made under both the FOIA and the Privacy Act whenever it is appropriate to do so. In this way, requesters receive the maximum amount of information available to them under the law.

    V. Response Times

    Under the statute, all federal agencies are required to respond to a FOIA request within twenty business days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. This time period does not begin until the request is actually received by the FOIA office of the Department of Justice component that maintains the records sought. An agency is not required to send out the releasable documents by the last business day; it can send you a letter informing you of its decision and then send you the documents within a reasonable time afterward.
    Some components of the Justice Department, such as the FBI and DEA, receive thousands of requests each year. Many of these requests require a line-by-line review of hundreds or even thousands of pages of documents. Although the Justice Department makes every effort to respond to FOIA requests as quickly as possible, in some cases it simply cannot do so within the specified time period. This may be due either to the size of the request or to the fact that the component has a backlog of previously received requests that are awaiting processing. Some components use "multi-track" processing queues to deal with their heavy FOIA workloads; components' descriptions of their multi-track processing systems are contained in Attachment C.
    Under the FOIA, a component may extend the response time for an additional ten business days when: (1) the component needs to collect responsive records from field offices; (2) the request involves a "voluminous" amount of records that must be located, compiled, and reviewed; or (3) the component needs to consult with another agency or other components of the Justice Department that have a substantial interest in the responsive information. When such a time extension is needed, the component may notify you of this in writing and offer you the opportunity to modify or limit your request. Alternatively, you may agree to a different timetable for the processing of your request.
    When a determination on your request is not made within the applicable time period and you have not agreed to a different response timetable, you may file suit in federal court to pursue a response. If, however, the court concludes that you have unreasonably refused to limit your request or to accept an alternate timetable for response, the court may find that the component's failure to comply within the statutory time period is justified. The court may excuse the lack of a timely response if the component demonstrates that it has a backlog of requests that were received before yours, that it processes its requests on a first-come/first-served basis, and that it is making reasonable progress in reducing its backlog of pending FOIA requests. In such cases, the court may postpone its consideration of your lawsuit until the agency reaches your request in its processing backlog.
    Alternatively, under Executive Order 13,392 (Dec. 14, 2005), FOIA requesters also may contact an agency's FOIA Requester Service Center(s) to check on the status of their FOIA requests. As mentioned above, the Department of Justice has established such a center for each of its 40 components, with a FOIA Public Liaison named for each, whom FOIA requesters may contact by telephone if they are dissatisfied with the response of the component's FOIA Requester Service Center. (The individual names and telephone numbers are listed, on a component-by-component basis, in Attachment C.) FOIA requesters are strongly encouraged to make use of these new services that are now available to them.

    VI. Expedited Processing

    Under certain conditions you may be entitled to have your request processed on an expedited basis. However, you should realize that whenever a FOIA request is expedited for a particular requester, taking that action results in an additional delay for previous requesters who have been waiting for a response. Therefore, in an effort to treat all requesters equitably, the Department of Justice ordinarily will process an initial FOIA request or an administrative appeal of a request's denial ahead of others only in cases in which there will be a threat to someone's life or physical safety, or where an individual will suffer the loss of substantial due process rights if the records are not processed on an expedited bases. In most cases, a request will not be expedited merely on the basis that the requester is facing a court deadline in a judicial proceeding. In both criminal prosecutions and civil litigation there is a document-disclosure process known as "discovery," which gives the parties certain rights to obtain relevant information apart from the FOIA. These discovery rights usually are sufficient to protect the requester's due process rights.
    The FOIA also requires that requests be processed on an expedited basis if made by a person primarily engaged in disseminating information to the public and the information is urgently needed to inform the public concerning some actual or alleged government activity. Requests are not expedited under this provision merely on the basis that the requester is a representative of the news media. Similarly, the Justice Department also expedites requests when the subject is of widespread and exceptional media interest and the information sought involves possible questions about the government's integrity which affect public confidence. Expedited processing decisions for initial requests on this latter basis are made by the Department's Director of Public Affairs.
    A request for expedited processing must be accompanied by a statement setting forth the reasons why your request should be expedited. You should certify that the reasons you have given are true and correct. The component will be required to notify you of its decision about whether to grant expedited processing within no more than 10 calendar days after receiving your letter. If the component denies your request for expedited processing, you will be advised of your right to submit an administrative appeal of that denial, which will be handled expeditiously. (For information about filing administrative appeals, see Section X of this Reference Guide.)

    VII. Fees

    There is no initial fee to file a FOIA request; in fact, in the majority of requests made to the Justice Department, no fees are ever charged. By law, however, an agency is entitled to charge certain fees, which depend on the particular category of FOIA requester that you fall into.
    For the purposes of fees only, the FOIA divides requesters into three categories. In the first category, commercial requesters may be charged fees for searching for records, "processing" the records (i.e., reviewing them to determine the possible applicability of FOIA exemptions), and photocopying them. In the second category, on the other hand, educational or noncommercial scientific institutions and representatives of the news media are charged only for photocopying expenses, after the first one hundred pages of copies. Requesters in the third category, i.e., all other requesters, are charged only for record searches and photocopying -- and there is no charge for the first two hours of search time or for the first one hundred pages of photocopies or their cost equivalent. The Justice Department charges ten cents per page for photocopying. In all cases, if the total fee does not exceed a minimum amount, currently $14, the Justice Department will not charge any fee at all.
    You may always include in your request letter a specific statement limiting the amount that you are willing to pay in fees. If you do not do so, the Justice Department will assume that you are willing to pay fees of up to a certain amount, currently $25. If a component estimates that the total fees for processing your request will exceed $25, it will notify you in writing of the estimate and offer you an opportunity to narrow your request in order to reduce the fees. If you continue to want all of the records involved, you will be asked to express your commitment to pay the estimated fees and the processing of your request will be suspended until you agree to do so. You ordinarily will not be required to actually pay the fees until the records have been processed and are ready to be sent to you. If, however, you have failed to pay fees within thirty days of billing in the past, or if the estimated fees exceed $250, you may be required to pay the estimated fees in advance -- that is, before the records even are processed. If you agree to pay fees and then fail to do so within 30 days of billing, you may be charged interest on your overdue balance and the Justice Department will not proceed with any further requests from you until payment in full has been made. If you agree to pay fees for searching for records, be aware that you may be required to pay such fees even if the search does not locate any responsive records or, if records are located, even if they are withheld as entirely exempt.

    VIII. Fee Waivers

    If you expect or are advised that a fee will be charged, you may request a waiver of those fees. However, fee waivers are limited to situations in which a requester can show that the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations and activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester. Requests for fee waivers from individuals who are seeking records pertaining to themselves usually do not meet this standard because such disclosures usually will not result in any increase of the public's understanding of government operations and activities. In addition, a requester's inability to pay fees is not a legal basis for granting a fee waiver. (Note that the granting of a fee waiver, which is done on a general public-interest basis under the statute, is entirely separate and distinct from the limitations on fees that are discussed in the previous section.)

    IX. Initial Request Determinations

    Once the component has processed your request and any fee issues have been resolved, the component will send you a written initial determination. In the vast majority of cases, Department of Justice components will include any documents that can be disclosed along with the determination letter, though in some cases the documents themselves may be sent within a reasonable time afterward. The FOIA provides access to all federal agency records (or portions of those records), except for those records that are withheld under any of nine exemptions or three exclusions (i.e., the reasons for which an agency may withhold records from a requester). The determination letter will advise you of whether any information is being withheld pursuant to one or more of the exemptions. When a page of a record is being withheld in its entirety, the component ordinarily specifies the number of pages being withheld or makes a reasonable effort to estimate the volume of the withheld information.
    The exemptions authorize federal agencies to withhold information covering: (1) classified national defense and foreign relations information; (2) internal agency rules and practices; (3) information that is prohibited from disclosure by another federal law; (4) trade secrets and other confidential business information; (5) inter-agency or intra-agency communications that are protected by legal privileges; (6) information involving matters of personal privacy; (7) records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, to the extent that the production of those records (A) could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings, (B) would deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication, (C) could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, (D) could reasonably be expected to disclose the identity of a confidential source, (E) would disclose techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions, or would disclose guidelines for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions, or (F) could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of any individual; (8) information relating to the supervision of financial institutions; and (9) geological information on wells. The three exclusions, which are rarely used, pertain to especially sensitive law enforcement and national security matters.

    X. Administrative Appeals

    You may file an administrative appeal if you are not satisfied with a Department of Justice component's initial response. You might disagree with the component's withholding of information or you might believe that there are additional records responsive to your request that the component failed to locate. You also may file an administrative appeal if you have requested expedited processing or a fee waiver and the component has not granted that request. You also may appeal a determination that what has been requested is not reasonably described, that a record does not exist or cannot be located, that a record is not readily reproducible in the form or format requested, that the requested information is not a record subject to the FOIA, or a determination regarding the charging of a fee. You should be advised of your right to file an appeal in the initial determination letter sent by the component or in a letter denying your request for expedited processing or a fee waiver. Ordinarily, your appeal must be received within 60 days of the date of the component's determination letter. All appeals must be made in writing and addressed to:
    Office of Information and Privacy
    U.S. Department of Justice
    Suite 11050
    1425 New York Avenue, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20530-0001
    Both the front of the envelope and the appeal letter should contain the notation "Freedom of Information Act Appeal."
    There is no specific form or particular language needed to file an administrative appeal. You should identify the component that denied your request and include the initial request number that the component assigned to your request and the date of the component's action. If no request number has been assigned, it will help if you enclose a copy of the component's determination letter. Please do not attach copies of released documents unless they pertain to some specific point you are raising in your appeal. You may explain the reason or reasons why you disagree with the component's action, but a simple statement that you are appealing the decision ordinarily is sufficient. If, however, you are appealing because you believe there are additional records that have not been located in response to your request, you should specify why you think such records exist and, if possible, where you believe they might be located.
    Administrative appeals from components of the Justice Department are reviewed by an attorney in the Office of Information and Privacy. The attorney ordinarily will have available all of the documents processed in connection with your request and will make an independent determination as to whether the component has properly processed your request.
    Under the FOIA, the Office of Information and Privacy is ordinarily required to make a determination on your administrative appeal within 20 business days. The Office of Information and Privacy may take one of several actions on your appeal. It may affirm the component's action in full, in which case it will identify which exemptions (if any) have been appropriately claimed. Or it may affirm part of the component's action (identifying the applicable exemptions), but order the release of other information previously withheld. Finally, under some circumstances, it may return or "remand" the request to the component for complete reprocessing. When a case is remanded, you will have an opportunity again to appeal to the Office of Information and Privacy after the component has reprocessed the records if at that time you remain dissatisfied with the component's action in any respect.

    XI. Judicial Review

    If you still believe that the Department of Justice has not handled your FOIA request properly under the law after your appeal has been decided, you have the right to challenge the agency's action in a lawsuit filed in federal court. Before doing so, you ordinarily will be required first to have filed an administrative appeal and to have received a response. If the Justice Department fails to respond to either your initial request or your appeal within the time limits discussed above, however, you may file a lawsuit once the time limits have expired.
    If you do bring a court action, you may file your lawsuit in a federal district court in any of the following places: (1) where you reside, (2) where you have your principal place of business (if any), (3) in the District of Columbia, or (4) where the records are located, if they are not located in the District of Columbia. If you have received an administrative appeal determination, that final administrative response letter will advise you of your right to seek judicial review and will specify where you can do so. You have 6 years to file a lawsuit from the time your right to sue begins. Lastly, please understand that attorneys and employees of the Justice Department are prohibited from giving legal advice to members of the public on any matters, including Freedom of Information Act litigation.