ByLearn How To Send the FBI FOIA Request Properly
The purpose of FOIA is to allow anyone to request and see records from various government institutions. If you want to access some of the information the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) owns, you’ll need to send an FBI FOIA request. We have the tips and tricks on tackling the process easily using .
How To File an FBI FOIA Request on Your Own
To get information from the FBI, you’ll need to follow the rules set by the Freedom of Information (FOIA) and Privacy Acts. Together they are referred to as FOIPA. Before embarking on a journey of sending FOIA requests to the Bureau, you should check whether the info is already available online. It is also important that the info isn’t one of the FOIA exemptions.
The FBI keeps the records they published in the place with the coolest name—the Vault. If the records you were looking for are there, no need to send a request. If not, continue with the process. You may do so in a few ways:
| Can You File an FBI FOIA Request Via | Yes/No |
| DoNotPay | Yes |
| eFOIPA | Yes |
| Yes | |
| Fax | Yes |
| No | |
| In Person | No |
How To Send an FBI FOIA Request via eFOIA
eFOIA is the FBI's electronic FOIPA portal. You may use this option to send your request online following these instructions:
- Open the eFOIPA page
- Accept the Terms of Service
- Click on Continue
- Enter your email
- Keep following the instructions once you receive a link on your email
- Enter all the required info
- Wait for the response
If you have any questions about sending a FOIA request this way, you can send an email to foipaquestions@fbi.gov.
How To Send an FBI FOIA Request via Fax or Mail
You may submit your FBI FOIA request via mail or fax. Use their sample request letter, and follow these instructions:
- Open the Sample Request Letter for FBI
- Describe your request in detail
- Type your full name and mailing address
- Provide more info that can help narrow the search (aliases, Social Security number, etc.)
- Write how much money you want to spend on fees
- Mail the form to Federal Bureau of Investigation, Attn: FOI/PA Request Record/Information Dissemination Section, 170 Marcel Drive, Winchester, VA 22602-4843 or fax it to (540) 868-4391/4997
You may request to see information about:
- Yourself
- Another living person
- A deceased individual
If you are looking for information about another individual, you’ll need to have their written consent. In case you are looking for records of a deceased person, you will have to provide proof of death (obituaries, death certificates, or other reliable documentation).
How To File a FOIA Request From FBI Using DoNotPay
DoNotPay is the way to go if you want to send the FBI FOIA request easily. Don’t waste your time and energy on going through the process on your own, instead follow these simple steps:
- Open DoNotPay in your
- Locate and choose the FOIA feature
- Say that you are sending a request to a federal agency
- Enter FBI as the name of the agency
- Let us know if you need a fee waiver
DoNotPay will send your request to the FBI as soon as you complete the simple questionnaire. We can also tell you everything you need to know about FOIA request templates and forms.
How To Check Your FBI FOIA Request Status
The FBI receives many FOIA requests daily, and you should know it could take some time for your request to be processed. Depending on its complexity, you may have to wait longer or shorter periods.
In the meantime, you can always check the status of your FOIA request by visiting the FBI’s FOIPA online status tool. Enter your FOIPA number in the provided textbox and click on Submit.
Are There Any Fees for the FBI Freedom of Information Act Request?
When sending the FBI FOIA request, you can expect to have to pay up to $25 for fees. You may say how much money you are willing to spend when writing the request—more or less than $25. If you are eligible for a fee waiver, you can avoid paying fees altogether.
How To Appeal the FBI FOIA Denied Request
In case you don’t like the results you get from the FBI, you may file an appeal. To do so, pick one of two ways:
- Sending a letter to Director of the Office of Information Policy (OIP/DOJ) at U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Information Policy, 441 G Street NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001
- Submitting an appeal electronically on OIP’s FOIA online portal
DoNotPay Can Send FOIA Request to Any Agency
You’ve already seen how DoNotPay can help you with FBI FOIA requests, but our app doesn’t stop there. Check out some of the other agencies we can assist you in sending a FOIA request:
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
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