How to Make a Freedom of Information Request

Making a Freedom of Information Act request could be intimidating for an ordinary citizen. They must be in proper form and could only be mailed. Luckily organizations like the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press have Freedom of Information Act Letter generator to take you through the process step by step.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Visit the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press website to access their Freedom of Information Act letter generator. You could also go it alone and research the rules on the agency’s web site or look at the Code of Federal Regulations at your local library. Each agency’s rules might vary a bit.
2. Make sure to include the key elements of a Freedom of Information Act request in your letter. State that you are making a Freedom of Information Act request, be extremely detailed regarding the documents you want and include your contact information.
3. Let the agency know if you are making the request as a professional or as a citizen.
4. Be prepared to pay fees. The agency will charge you to copy documents.
5. Address the envelope properly. Send it to the agency’s Freedom of Information Act officer or to the commissioner. Remember to clearly mark the envelope’s left hand corner with “Freedom of Information Act Request.”