[YOUR FULL NAME]
[YOUR STREET ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE]
[YOUR PHONE NUMBER]
[YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS]
[DATE]
FOIA Officer
[AGENCY NAME]
[AGENCY MAILING ADDRESS OR FOIA PORTAL URL]
[CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE]
Re: Freedom of Information Act Request
Dear FOIA Officer:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552, I hereby request access to and copies of the following agency records:
[DESCRIBE THE RECORDS YOU ARE REQUESTING. Be as specific as possible: include relevant dates, names, locations, subject matter, document types, or any other details that will help the agency locate the records. Example: "All inspection reports, correspondence, and internal memoranda relating to [FACILITY NAME / ADDRESS] from [START DATE] through [END DATE]."]
Fee Category
To help determine my fee category, I am (check one):
- ☐ A representative of the news media. My intended use is: [DESCRIBE JOURNALISTIC PURPOSE]
- ☐ An educational institution or noncommercial scientific institution
- ☐ A commercial requester
- ☐ A member of the general public
Fee Waiver Request
I request a fee waiver pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(A)(iii) on the grounds that disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government, and disclosure is not primarily in my commercial interest. Specifically: [EXPLAIN WHY RELEASE WOULD BENEFIT THE PUBLIC].
Alternatively, if a full fee waiver is not granted, please notify me before incurring costs exceeding $[AMOUNT, e.g., $25.00].
Format of Response
I prefer to receive responsive records in electronic format (PDF or searchable text) sent to the email address above. If records are only available in paper format, please provide copies.
Withholding and Exemptions
If any portion of the requested records is withheld, I request that you provide a Vaughn index identifying each withheld document and specifying the exemption(s) relied upon and the reasons the exemption applies. Please release any reasonably segregable, non-exempt portions of withheld records.
Expedited Processing (complete only if applicable)
I request expedited processing pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(E) because [COMPELLING NEED — e.g., "there is an imminent threat to life or physical safety" or "I am a journalist and there is urgency to inform the public about actual or alleged government activity"]. I certify that this statement is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
If you have any questions or need clarification about this request, please contact me at the phone number or email address listed above. I look forward to your response within the 20 business days required by 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(A).
Sincerely,
[YOUR PRINTED NAME]