Skip to main content


U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government
              Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you knowDot gov**Official websites use .gov**
                 A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
                  HTTPS**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                 A **lock** (A locked padlock) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
  Menu Close
          Enter the terms you wish to search for.
    Search
        








  
  
    

  
      

                                      About HHS
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Programs & Services
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Grants & Contracts
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Laws & Regulations Breadcrumb
    Home
                              FOIA (Freedom of Information Act)
                              FOIA office FAQS
                              What information is not available under the FOIA?
 Navigate to:
  Freedom of Information Act
                                            
            
            Submit & Check Status of FOIA Requests
    
                                                  
                              
            
      
      
      
      FOIA Contacts & Requester Service Centers and Privacy Act Contacts
    
                                                                
                                                    
            
      
      
      
      HHS FOIA Reports
                          
            
            Annual Reports
    
                                                  
                              
            
      
      
      
      Quarterly Reports
    
                                                  
                              
            
      
      
      
      Chief FOIA Officer Report
    
                                                  
                              
            
      
      
      
      Open Pending FOIA Request Reports
    
                                                                
                                                    
            
      
      
      
      FOIA Library / Electronic Reading Room
                          
            
            2016/2017 HHS Presidential Transition Documents
    
                                                  
                              
            
      
      
      
      FOIA Exemptions & Exclusions
    
                                                                
                                                    
            
      
      
      
      FOIA & Privacy Act Statutes & Resources
                          
            
            The Privacy Act
    
                                                  
                              
            
      
      
      
      HHS System of Records Notices (SORNs)
    
                                                  
                              
            
      
      
      
      HHS Computer Matching Agreements (CMAs)
    
                                                  
                              
            
      
      
      
      FOIA FAQS
    
                                                  
                              
            
      
      
      
      FOIA Appeals
    
                                                  
                              
            
      
      
      
      FOIA Fees
    
                                                  
                              
            
      
      
      
      COVID-19 ContractsText resize icon

                    




What information is not available under the FOIA?








  
  
    

  
      



The FOIA does not apply to the Congress, the courts, or the central offices of the White House, nor does it apply to records in the custody of state or local governments. However, all state governments have their own FOIA-type statutes. You may request details about a state’s records access law by writing to the Office of the Attorney General of that State.
The FOIA does not require a state or local government or a private organization or business to release any records directly to the public, whether such records have been submitted to the federal government or not. However, records submitted to the federal government by such organizations or companies may be available through a FOIA request if they are not protected by a FOIA exemption, such as the one covering trade secrets and confidential business information.
Under the FOIA, you may request and generally receive by mail, or electronically, a copy of any record that is in an agency’s files that is not protected from disclosure by one of the exemptions or exclusions.

                    
  


Content created by Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Division Content last reviewed September 17, 2015 Back to top
    Contact HHS
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Careers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      HHS FAQs
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Nondiscrimination NoticeHHS Archive
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Accessibility Statement
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Privacy Policy
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Viewers & PlayersBudget/Performance
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Inspector General
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Web Site Disclaimers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      EEO/No Fear ActFOIA
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      The White House
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      USA.gov
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
        Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases.

Sign Up
  HHS Headquarters
          200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
                  Washington, D.C. 20201
                  Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​