Anyone can file a FOIA request. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen. You can ask the FBI for any information they have on you, or you can ask the CIA what they have on your peace group. You can also request records that may be of interest to your advocacy work from various agencies. The Obama Administration has pledged to be more open and transparent, and has encouraged the different agencies to respond more quickly to FOIA requests. While FOIA doesn't apply to state and local governments, each state has its own laws and procedures regarding disclosure of records -- sometimes it is easier to get information from state and local governments..
Hosting A FOIA Party
Filing a request for information is pretty straightforward, and many activists have "always meant to do it". We want to make it easy, and maybe even fun. You can plan a seperate event, or set aside some time at an upcoming meeting for participants to write their letters. You can use the templates below as models for your letters. Check out the Reporters Committee for a Free Press to find out about rules and procedures specific to your state and locale.
Our goal is to compile information revealed through FOIA parties around the country -- so we want to hear from you! Please sign up here to let us know you're hosting a party.
Use these letters as a starting point for your request for information
about yourself and other information:. The letters include a privacy waiver
(assuring the agency that you think it is okay to release records about
yourself to yourself....) You can adapt these letters to include a request
for a fee waiver (that language will be posted here shortly) AND you can
request information in addition to records about yourself (we recommend
asking for information about the groups that you are active with).
FBI Headquarters
FBI Richmond Field Office
FBI Baltimore Field Office
FBI Washington, DC Field Office
Department of Homeland Security
CIA
NSA (National Security Agency)
DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency)
Defense Security Service
U.S. Park Police
D.C. Metro Police
Virginia State Police
Maryland State Police
The letters are in Word format so you can download them and customize them.
The Freedom of Information Clearinghouse at Public Citizen - How to file a FOIA request -- a guide
