Secret Service records
Secret Service protection, privacy, and investigative records can implicate exemptions. Ask for identifiable administrative or historical records rather than operational security details.
Open guide →Practical request recipes
Request Library
Start with a real records problem instead of a blank letter. These recipes identify likely custodians, give you editable request language, and send you into the FOIAFiler builder with the first decisions already made.
Border crossing / entry-exit history
CBP is generally the first stop for border and inspection records. Include identifying information requested by the agency.
Open guide →Immigration A-File / benefit records
Immigration records are often split among USCIS, ICE, CBP, and EOIR. Start with the component most closely tied to the record.
Open guide →Federal criminal investigation records
Active investigations and third-party personal information are frequently protected. Narrow requests by event, office, case number, and date.
Open guide →Federal prison / inmate records
For records about yourself, use a first-party request and follow BOP identity-verification requirements.
Build this request →Airport screening / aviation records
TSA handles screening/security records; FAA handles aviation regulation and safety records.
Build this request →Plane, rail, highway, or transportation accident
Search NTSB public investigation dockets first. The regulator (FAA/FRA/NHTSA/FMCSA) may hold separate records.
Build this request →Disaster response / FEMA records
For personal disaster-assistance files, check FEMA's specialized access process before filing a broad FOIA request.
Build this request →Public-health / medical-regulatory records
Choose the HHS component that actually created the records. Search public databases and reading rooms first.
Build this request →Federal contracts / procurement / spending
The contracting agency usually holds the best record set. GSA is useful for GSA-managed procurement/property records. Search SAM.gov and USAspending.gov first.
Build this request →Diplomatic cables / State Department records
State has a large public FOIA search collection. Historical classified material may also involve declassification review.
Build this request →Military / Defense Department records
Send the request to the service/component that created the records rather than DoD headquarters when possible.
Build this request →Intelligence / classified historical records
For a specifically identified classified document, Mandatory Declassification Review can sometimes be an alternative. FOIA and MDR should not be pursued concurrently for the same information.
Build this request →Federal background investigation / security clearance
DCSA is often the relevant component for modern federal personnel-vetting investigations. Identity verification is important.
Build this request →Environmental / pollution / public-land records
Location and facility identifiers make environmental searches much easier.
Build this request →Financial regulator / enforcement records
Financial-supervision, confidential commercial, SAR, and enforcement information can be protected. Search public enforcement databases first.
Build this request →Inspector General audit / investigation records
Each Inspector General is usually a distinct FOIA component. Ask the OIG that actually conducted the work.
Build this request →Agency FOIA logs
FOIA logs are useful for discovering records other people have already requested and for finding repeatable request language.
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