Government Information: Freedom of Information Act
Suggested Reading
Other Open Government Sources
Sunlight Foundation
This non-profit, nonpartisan organization uses the power of the Internet to spur government openness and transparency.
Open Government Initiative
Obama Administration website reporting efforts hopes to oversee a new era of open and accountable government. Read more at this link.
Freedom Of Information Act - Introduction
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was enacted in 1966 and provides any person the right to obtain access to Federal agency records, with the exception of those records protected from public disclosure. Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court acknowledge FOIA to be a vital part of our democracy.
A FOIA request can be sent to a Federal agency for any Federal agency record. Requests should be sent to the appropriate agency, and each agency's website contains information about the type of records it holds, allowing the public to determine to whom to make a FOIA request.
FOIA applies to Federal agencies only, so does not apply to the Judicial Branch and the Courts, the Legislative Branch and Congress, or State Governments and Courts.
In Oregon and many other states, public records access may be managed through the State Attorney's office - Oregon Public Records Information
FOIA Data and Information
- Explore FOIA DataUse FOIA's site to explore the Federal agency data included in each agency's annual FOIA report.
- Browse FOIA ReportsExplore most popular and most recently used FOIA reports, or view agency "at-a-glance" reports.
- "Your right to Federal records" guide from the GSAConsult this document for an excellent overview of FOIA, how to use it, and the difference between FOIA and the Privacy Act.
- Search for FOIA information by Agency using GoogleFor fast access to records available for public inspection in accordance with FOIA, search Google using text like this: "electronic reading room department of [fill-in-the-blank!]."
Declassified Documents
- The National Security Archive from the George Washington UniversityThis independent non-governmental research institute and library collects and publishes declassified documents obtained through FOIA but is less comprehensive than the Digital National Archive.
- FBI VaultThe FBI Electronic Reading Room displays frequently-requested documents released under FOIA. Categories include espionage, famous persons, the gangster era, historical interest, unusual phenonema and violent crime.
- National Declassification CenterFrom the National Archives Administration