FOIA Party Resources

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. FOIA doesn't apply to state and local governments, but each state has its own laws and procedures regarding disclosure of records.

FOIA request templates

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.

 

Useful FOIA Resources

The Freedom of Information Clearinghouse at Public Citizen - How to file a FOIA request -- a guide

FOIA letter generator at Reporters Committee for a Free Press (for federal, state and local agencies)