FOIAFiler Request Library
How to Request an Agency’s FOIA Logs
FOIA logs are one of the most useful meta-records in government transparency work. They can reveal what other people have asked for, recurring topics, request descriptions, dispositions, and request numbers that help you formulate a narrower follow-up.
Likely records custodian
United States Secret Service (USSS) ↗Department of Homeland Security
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) ↗Department of Justice
Department of Homeland Security (DHS Headquarters) ↗Department of Homeland Security
Department of Justice — Office of Information Policy (OIP) ↗Department of Justice
Department of State ↗Department of State
Starter request language
The agency's FOIA request log for [date range], including request number, received date, requester category or organization to the extent releasable, request description, disposition, and closing date.
Make the request easier to process
- Specify a calendar or fiscal-year date range.
- Ask for fields such as request number, received date, request description, disposition, and closing date.
- Request electronic spreadsheet or CSV format where available.
- Expect requester names or other fields to be redacted where privacy interests apply.
Watch for this: Some agencies proactively publish FOIA logs. Search the agency reading room before filing a duplicate request.
Search before filing
Check the agency’s reading room and FOIA.gov’s government-wide search first. If the records are already public, you can avoid a new request entirely.