U.S. flag
        An official website of the United States government
          Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you knowGovernment Website**Official websites use .gov**
              
                              A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
        Safely connect using 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 Search Term
                Search
      Topics
      
                
  
          Topics


      
        Topics
    
    
              Border Security
      
    
              Citizenship and Immigration
      
    
              Cybersecurity
      
    
              Disasters
      
    
              Election Security
      
    
              Homeland Security Enterprise
      
    
              Human Trafficking
      
    
              Immigration and Customs Enforcement
      
    
              Preventing Terrorism and Targeted Violence
      
    
              Resilience
      
    
              Science and Technology
      
    
              Trade and Economic Security
      
    
              Transportation Security
      
    
              News
      
                
  
          News


      
        News
    
    
              All DHS News
      
    
              Apps
      
    
              Blog
      
    
              Comunicados de Prensa
      
    
              Data
      
    
              Events
      
    
              Fact Sheets
      
    
              Featured News
      
    
              Homeland Security LIVE
      
    
              Media Contacts
      
    
              Media Library
      
    
              National Terrorism Advisory System
      
    
              Press Releases
      
    
              Publications Library
      
    
              Social Media
      
    
              Speeches
      
    
              Subscribe
      
    
              Testimony
      
    
              In Focus
      
                
  
          In Focus


      
        In Focus
    
    
              Addressing Climate Change
      
    
              Artificial Intelligence at DHS
      
    
              Cybersecurity
      
    
              Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
      
    
              Honoring Veterans
      
    
              Migration and Borders
      
    
              Operation Allies Welcome
      
    
              Recognizing DHS Excellence
      
    
              Uniting for Ukraine
      
    
              How Do I?
      
                
  
          How Do I?


      
        How Do I?
    
    
              Alphabetical Listing
      
    
              At DHS
      
    
              For Businesses
      
    
              For Travelers
      
    
              For the Public
      
    
              Get Involved
      
                
  
          Get Involved


      
        Get Involved
    
    
              #BeCyberSmart
      
    
              Blue Campaign
      
    
              Citizen Corps
      
    
              If You See Something, Say Something®
      
    
              Know2Protect
      
    
              Nationwide SAR Initiative
      
    
              REAL ID
      
    
              Ready.gov
      
    
              Stop the Bleed
      
    
              US Coast Guard Auxiliary
      
    
              About DHS
      
                
  
          About DHS


      
        About DHS
    
    
              Budget & Performance
      
    
              Contact Us
      
    
              Employee Resources
      
    
              History
      
    
              Homeland Security Careers
      
    
              In Memoriam
      
    
              Laws & Regulations
      
    
              Leadership
      
    
              Mission
      
    
              Organization
      
    
              Priorities
      
    
              Site Links Breadcrumb
Home
  How Do I?
  For the Public
  Submit a FOIA Request

     Alphabetical Listing
                
                    
      
      At DHS
                
                    
      
      For Businesses
                
                    
      
      For Travelers
                
                    
                    
      For the Public
                
      Adopt a Child Internationally
                
                    
      
      Become a Citizen
                
                    
      
      Check Immigration Case Status
                
                    
      
      Check the National Terrorism Advisory System
                
                    
      
      File a Civil Rights Complaint
                
                    
      
      Find Citizenship Resources
                
                    
      
      Find Flood Maps & Insurance
                
                    
      
      Get a Green Card
                
                    
      
      Get a Homeland Security Job
                
                    
      
      Law Enforcement Resources
                
                    
      
      Move to the United States
                
                    
      
      Prepare My Family for a Disaster
                
                    
      
      Report Suspicious Activity
                
                    
                    
      Submit a FOIA Request
                
                    
      
      Use the Coronavirus Calculators
                
                    
      
      Verify Employment EligibilitySubmit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal statute. FOIA generally provides that any person has a right to request access to federal agency records.
      
      What You Need to Know
      FOIA also establishes a presumption that records in the possession of agencies and departments of the Executive Branch of the U. S. government are accessible to the people, except to the extent the records are protected from disclosure by any of nine exemptions contained in the law or by one of three special law enforcement record exclusions.
              Start Here
      **Determine Record** - Determine the exact record you seek.  These could be documents, memoranda, emails, voice messages, or video.**Check Public Domain** - Check available resources such as the internet or libraries to determine whether the record already exists in the public domain.**Determine Which Part of DHS has the Record**- Narrow down as best as possible the location (office or component) in which you think the record might exist.**LEARN MORE**

Department Structure
	Top requests overall and by Component
	Top requests by topic
	Contact information for Components**Complete Information** - Draft a letter or email completing all required fields including:Name
	Address or email address
	Phone if you would like to receive calls regarding the processing of your request
	Brief description of records sought
	Fee category
	Expedited treatment
	Provide perjury statement and signature or notary if seeking records that contain personal information about yourself
	Provide a third party release statement if seeking personal records on another person**LEARN MORE**

Fee Structure and Fee Waivers
	FOIA Processing**Send the FOIA** - You may mail, email, or fax your FOIA to the identified component Get component contact information.
              Tips
      Each federal agency only responds to requests for its own records. Please submit only requests for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) records to us. Also, please note that the FOIA does not require the Department to answer questions, issue opinions, conduct legal research, create records or produce tangible objects in order to respond to a request.

**Additional requirements**. If you are requesting records on yourself or another individual, see additional requirements under Requirements for Submitting a Privacy Act Request.**Multiple requests**. For faster handling, please note in your request whether you are submitting it to more than one Department component.
  
    
    KeywordsFreedom of Information Act (FOIA)
              How Do I - For the Public
              How Do I?

    Last Updated: 03/15/2022
  
Was this page helpful?
  Yes
NoThis page was not helpful because the content
  has too little information
has too much information
is confusing
is out-of-date Return to top

           Topics
      
    
                  News
      
    
                  In Focus
      
    
                  How Do I?
      
    
                  Get Involved
      
    
                  About DHS
                            
        U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal
      
    DHS.gov
                  An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityAbout DHS
                              Accessibility
                              Budget and Performance
                              DHS Components
                              FOIA Requests
                              No FEAR Act Data
                              Privacy Policy
                              Site Links
                              Office of Inspector General
                              The White House
                              USA.gov

                        Looking for U.S. government information and services?
                Visit USA.gov