Learn How To File an OPM FOIA Request in Five Minutes

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Use This Guide To Submit the Perfect OPM FOIA Request Fast

The FOIA stands for the Freedom of Information Act. This law has been around since 1966 and enables anyone to access various records from federal agencies.

With DoNotPay, you can file an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) FOIA request in no time. We’ll also help you learn more about the FOIA fees, appeals, exemptions, and request forms.

What Are the FOIA Exemptions?

Even though the U.S. government agencies must disclose agency records upon a citizen’s request, there are nine exemptions to the FOIA. The exemptions are used as protection against revealing harmful information.

The exemptions protect:

  1. Against the disclosure of intel that could harm national security
  2. The internal personnel rules and practices of an agency
  3. Against the disclosure of records if another federal law prohibits it too
  4. Privileged or confidential commercial and financial information, including trade secrets
  5. Any communication considered to be privileged, such as attorney-client, attorney work product, or deliberative process privilege
  6. Information that would harm another person’s privacy
  7. The data that law enforcement collected
  8. Intel that revolves around supervision of financial institutions
  9. Against revealing geological information on wells

How Much Are the Fees for an OPM FOIA Request?

A fee will depend on the category you fall under. There are three categories of requesters:

  • Commercial—You might be charged for searching, reviewing, and duplicating documents if you fall under this category
  • Noncommercial—This category includes educational or scientific institutions and news media. They will only have to pay after the first 100 pages of duplicate content
  • Other—If you fall under this category, you won’t be charged for the reviewing, but the OPM will charge you for the search and copying of the records after the first 100 pages and two hours

OPM grants fee waivers if the release of the records you requested will contribute to the general public.

How To Make an OPM FOIA Request by Yourself

To file an OPM FOIA request, you’ll need to do it in writing. On the first page, you have to specify that it’s a Freedom of Information Act Request.

Follow the steps below to file your OPM FOIA request:

  1. Write your request describing the documents you’re asking for in detail
  2. Try to include specific information about every record or document you want, such as the title, name, date, author, and subject of the document
  3. Send your FOIA request letter to the OPM email or physical address
  4. Write Attention: the FOIA Request on your envelope if you’re sending it via mail

Find the OPM contact information in the table below:

Contact ViaContact Details

Phone

202-606-3642

Email

foia@opm.gov

Physical Address

U.S. Office of Personnel Management

1900 E Street, N.W.

OPIM/FOIA Room 5H35

Washington, D.C. 20415-7900

The OPM doesn’t enable you to check the status of your FOIA request. You can use the phone number from the table above to call their office and ask about your request.

How To Make an OPM Freedom of Information Act Request With DoNotPay

offers you the option to file your OPM FOIA request online. You won’t have to deal with all the bureaucratic fuss. DoNotPay will do most of the work for you.

Making a FOIA request via DoNotPay is also quite affordable. We can help you file the request with any local and state agency like:

Steps To Filing the OPM FOIA Request With DoNotPay

You can follow a few simple steps to file your FOIA request with the help of our platform. Open DoNotPay in any and do the following:

  1. Type in OPM FOIA in DoNotPay’s search field
  2. Enter OPM as the name of the agency and provide the details of the record or document you’re searching for, like title, author, publishing date, etc.
  3. Select the format in which you want to receive the document and choose whether you want a fee waiver and expedited processing
  4. Submit your FOIA request

We will generate the FOIA request letter and send it to OPM on your behalf.

With the help of our app, you’ll be able to file a FOIA request on yourself using the best template as well.

How To File an Appeal

When you are denied records or a fee waiver, you can file an appeal. You should include the following into your appeal:

  • Copy of your original request
  • Copy of the letter rejecting your request
  • Your statement that explains why you appeal against OPM’s decision

You’ll need to send the appeal to:

U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Office of the General Counsel

1900 E Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20415-1300

If the Office of General Counsel holds the information, file the appeal to:

U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Deputy Director

1900 E Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20415-0001

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