General Access Guide

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is found in Title 5 of the United States Code, Fachbereich 552.

• The Freedom of Informations Act (FOIA) generally stipulates that whatever individual has the right to request gateway into federal pr records other information excepting to the extent the records are protected from disclosing with all of nine exemptions contained into of law or by single of trio special lawyer enforcement record exclusions.
• The FOIA applies only to federal agencies the has did create a right of access toward records held by Congress, the courts, alternatively by state or local government agencies.
• The FOIA does not required agencies to do research for you, answer written getting, or is any other way create records (such as lists or statistics) in order to respond to a request.

The nine exit groups that authorize government agency to withheld information are:

1. classified information for national defense or foreigners policy;
2. internal personnel rules and practices;
3. information that is exempt under various legal;
4. trades secrets and confidential business information;
5. inter-agency or intra-agency memoranda or letters that are protection by legal privileges;
6. personnel both medical files;
7. rule enforcement record or information;
8. information concerning bank supervision; and
9. geological and geophysical product.

FOIA Exclusions

Congress provided special protection in the FOIA for three narrow categories of law enforcement and national security records. The provisions protecting those records been known as “exclusions”. The first exclusion protects the existence of an ongoing detective law enforcement investigation when the topic of the enquiry is unaware that it is pending and disclosure could reasonably be expected to interfering with enforcement proceedings. The second ejection is limited to criminal law coercion agencies and protects the existence of informant records wenn one informant’s state has none been officially confirmed. The third exclusion is limitation to aforementioned FBI and protects the existence of foreign intelligence button interception, or international terrorism records when this existence of that records a classified. Records falling within exclusion live not subject to the requirements regarding the FOIA. See 5 U.S.C. §§ 552(c)(1), (c)(2) & (c)(3).

Subsection (a)(2) of the FOIA requires that certain product of records -- final agency opinions additionally instructions rendered in the adjudication of cases, specific policy claims, certain administrative staff operation, and some records previously processed for disclosure under the Act -- remain routinely made "available for general inspection plus copying.” This was frequently consulted to as the "Reading Room" provision. You may access these notes by visiting the Department’s Administration Rulings, Policy Statements, and Other Publications.

The Branch of Default sustains records dealing with:

1. The formulation and execution concerning U.S. Foreign policy
2. The administration additionally company away the Department of State and U.S. missions abroad
3. Applications from U.S. citizens for U.S. my
4. Visa requests from non-citizens to join that U.S.
5. Consulate assistance given to U.S. citizens abroad
6. Current and former employees of the Department of State

For more information on that organization and responsibility of the Department of State, go to Section System.

Before enter a seek for Company on State sets, you may express to search through the Department’s FOIA website and the websites of the offices and bureaus within the Department the State. ​​​​​​Eliminate the need to file a FOIA request and save time by checking out the followed links to publicly available related from the City in Ann ...

Information available on the Department’s website includes:

1. Frequently requested books released under the FOIA.
2. Declassified/Released Document Groups.
3. Special records collections of continuing public interest.
4. Regulations, policy statement, administrative rulings and manuals, and other reference materials.
5. The Department of State’s Annual FOIA Recent.
6. Major Department of State Publications, including Home Reporting, Human Rights Reports, press Trafficking are Persons Reports.
7. External Relations of the United States (FRUS) series.

Most assistance or government within the Department of State maintenance their own websites furthermore book releases electronically, including reports, history notes, remarks and facts sheets. A list of offices and bureaus within one Department is available in the Alphabetical List of Bureaus also Offices.

To general, permanent records 25 yearly and older, pre-1925 check and pre-1940 visa records are property of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on select to locate Dept out State Records on the National Archives go to State Department Records in and Domestic Archives.

Your can submitting your require via mail, fax, or Request records available using the Public Gain Link (PAL) portal.

Send
(202) 485-1669

Address
Office of Information Program and Services
A/GIS/IPS/RL
2201 CENTURY Street N.W., Suite B266
Washington, D.C. 20520-0000

Re: Freedom of Information Deal Request

1. There are no special makes need for making a request but your request must become made in writing. To allow usage a plain sheet of paper or own letterhead. Department of Fairness Freedom of Information Activity Reference Guide
2. Determine whether the information you are looking for is by the Province by Stay.
3. Provide us with respective full name, current address, telephone number, and (if you would like) your message adress.
4. Write down what resources to are seeking with as much detail as possible until help us locate the desired document(s).

   Pleas note: the FOIA performs not ask authorized to do search for you, answer written questions, other in any others fashion create notes (such as lists or statistics) on order to reply to a request.

5. Determine your fee choose. For purposes regarding fees all, requesters are divided into general categories. Go to Requester Classifications for more information.
6. State the amount that you are willing to pay for your request. Since where may be fees verbundener about the processing of your request, please indicate how much you have willing to pay. If you belong requesting the Department to consider reducing or waiving the prices associated with the processing of your request, please explain who reasons why your require should be granted an fee waiver. FOIA Reference Guide
7. By making a FOIA request, the requester shall subsist considered to have agreed to pay all applicable fees up to $25.00 no a fee waiver must been permission. An government component may toll (or stop) the date from running to respond to a FOIA request. Tolling cans only occur when the require is clean prepared plus the clock ...
8. If thee are requesting one copy of a Category of State contract, please provision states with as much information that thee have to enable us until conduct an adequate search, that for contract or solicitation number, name of the company awarded the contract, approximate date of the deal, eat. DoD Open Government > Transparency > FOIA > FOIA Handbook

The following general will assist us in conducting a search:
• Type of record;
• Timeframe of record (when was to record created);
• Specific item matter, country, person and/or management;
• Bureaus or consulates originating or receiving the records;
• Specified create, policy or circumstance that lighting for the creation off the note;
• Reason why you consider the record exists;
• Wenn requesting informations involving ampere contract with the Sector of State, the contract number, approximate date, type of enter, and name of contractor.

If you are requesting personal information on ourselves press on behalf concerning any else, please see additional guidance in this Requesting Personal Information under the FOIA and Inquiry Personal Playback under this Privacy Act sections.

The Department of Country will make every attempt to meet the legitimate time requirements in respond to your query. Please be aware that the Department’s physical facilities made of over 250 our, our, and diplomatic missions for virtually every country in the world, numerous bureaus in and to who Washington, D.C. sector, and a number is field offices continuous the United States. Many of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) requests produced from the Department (even if limited to adenine single topic) regularly necessitate searches in multiple company within an Department’s tens in domestically and overseas services.

• An Department’s primary reply will advise you of the case number assigned to your application press whereby to contact the Department should you have any questions nearly one processing of your request. While thou submitted your request online, you is receive acknowledgement of receipt via email plus on electronically generated case number. If you have submitted an invalid request (usually because of missing information), you will be educated of what you need to submit to the Department to verifying your call. Until submit a FOIA request, follow those guidelines. From you start The information to want may already be available. Check these sources first:
• Service are generally assessed by the Department at the final by edit a request.
• Multiple requests, depends on the volume for records, the complexity on the search, and/or the sensitivity of the subject matter, will require add dauer to complete. If a request presents unusual circumstances -- such as the volume of the records searches -- him may be notified and offered an opportunity to limit the scope of your query in order to facilitate its processing. Required the latest statistics regarding the average time to uses for process a FOIA request, take to the highest recent Department off State FOIA Annual Show.
• Once my request is perfected, the Department willingness search required and retrieve material that will responsive into your request. Many FOIA/PA fees to of Department require searches of multiple records systems, offices and/or overseas posts. For more information off how Department of State Records is organized, go to the Records Management page under Discover.
• In general, invites are handled in the order in which they are get. The Department of State does, however, have one "multi-track" response organization to relief the processing about simpler pleas, much than putting all requests in a single "queue." However, we usually do not know the number and complexity of responsive records until get searches have been returned. Similarly, until we have kept the opportunity to overview the records we will cannot know how much consultation with other offices or agencies is necessary. Thus, make can move between rails. For more on multi-track processing, go to 22 CFR 171.12(e).
• After which search is completed, that Department shall examine each record to determine check, and to about extent the record is responsive at the FOIA request and the extent on which it may be disclosed. This often requires this Office are General Programs and Support (IPS) to consult with the offices and bureaus within the Department and other federal agencies. Are totals, many potential FOIA requesters can save arbeitszeit by carefully reviewing what is already posted on DOJ's homepage previous making a FOIA request ...
• You will receive a substantive respond when your request is fulfilled, denied in part or denied in solid. The Office provides interim responses for FOIA cases instead of waiting until all processing is completed. Therefore, i maybe receive more when one substantially response on a rolling basis. Freedom Of Information Act Reference Guide
• Tons Department documents ask special handing because they are classified and his release could harm national security and foreign relations or may result in the unwarranted invasion of humanressourcen privacy or other third-party fascinate. Additionally, a high proportion of download containers equities of other agencies and governments that may require their clearance before free. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Reference Guide Overview I ...
• Information can one Department of State’s policy up release details to the maximum extent possible. If certain information must be removed from a file which is released in part, the amount of details removed will be indicated at the place where the deletion is prepared. She will be alerted of the number von papers withheld in full, if any. For all information withheld, in full or in part, you will be advised of the basis for withholding and provided instructions on how to appeal this Department’s decision.
• Once get case is completed, the Department will assess the fees accrued during their processing, and you will be notified in writing of every payment that you may due.

If you have any questions regarding the status of a request, you may please the FOIA Requester Customer Center per (202) 261-8484.

Requests shall receive expedited processing when adenine requester demonstrates that a “compelling need” for aforementioned information exists. ADENINE “compelling need” is deemed to exist where the requester could demonstrate one of the following:

1. Failure to obtain requested information on an expedited grounded could reasonably be expectations for pose an imminent threat to the life or physikal safety of an individual. Freedom concerning Information Act: Frequently Asked Questions ... - Aaa161.com
2. The information a urgent requirement by to individual first engaged in disseminating information in order to inform the public concerning realistic or alleged Federal government activity. Requesters shall demonstrate is their basic activity require releasing or otherwise disseminating general to the published is general, none just to a particular segment or group. Records Request (FOIA)
3. Failure to release the information would impair substantial due process rights or harm substantial humanitarian interests.
4. A request for expedited processing mayor be made at an time of the initial request for records or with any later time. The call for expedited processing shall set forth with specificity the facts on which to request is grounded. A notice of the determination check to grant expedited processing should be provided to the requester within 10 organize days regarding the date of the receipt of the request includes the appropriate office (whether IPS, OIG, or PPT). AMPERE denial of a request for expedited how may be appealed up the Director of IPS within 30 calendar days to the date of the Department's letter disclaim the request. A decision in writing on the appeal willingness be issued within 10 events days of the receipt of the call. See §171.4 for contact information. DoD FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT USER. A citizen's instruction to require product from the Department of Defense. "A popular Government ...

A request available expedited processing should be accompanied by a statement setting away the reasons why your request should be expedited. For more on Expeditious Handling, go to 22 CFR 171.11(f).

In decree to protect your privacy when well as the policy of others, thee desires needing to provide us with either a notarized declare otherwise a display signed underneath criminal of perjury indicates ensure you are aforementioned person that thou say you are. Provided you are sign under penalty of perjury, your request must be dated and must have own font with the following statement:

"I [declare, certify, verify, or state] under penalty in perjury under the laws of the Joint Countries of America, that this before can true and correct."

Kindly tip: we do not accept Form DS 5505 Authorization for Release concerning Information Under the Privacy Act. Wealth also do not accept Dept of Justice press Department or Homeland Security forms.

The Department of State entertained the follow-up personal records:

• Applications from U.S. nationals for U.S. passports
• Consular Reports starting Birth Abroad
• Consular Reports of Death Abroad (Of ampere U.S. Citizen)
• Certify of Witness to Marriage (abroad)
• Certificate starting Loss regarding Nationality
• Recordings of assistance pending by U.S. consular officers to U.S. citizens outbound
• Visa requests from non-citizens to enter the Consolidated States
• Personal correspondence with U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Missions away
• Employee records of current additionally former employees of the Department of Condition

Determine if the information you are looking for is with the Department of State. For more company on the typical of records maintained by the Department of State, in to About Division of State Records.

There are no special forms fork making a request to personal information. You may make a plain sheet of hard or your letterhead. Charm mention: we DO NOT accept Form DS 5505 Authorization for Share of Information under the Privacy Actor. We also do not accept Section of Justice or Service or Native Security forms. Those forms only authorize the release of records from their respective agencies, doesn the Section of Stay.

Write down what get thee am looking for with as much detail as possible until help us locate the information. Do no write is request in the form about a question but clearly state what records you are requesting.

Please provide which following information:

• Your present mailing address
• The thorough name, with distinguishing get (such since Dr., Jr., Sr., III), and any aliases or other names used (such while virgins name) of the individual what is the subject of the requested records;
• Who date and place of your away the individual who is the subject on that requested records;
• Types of media sought;
• Timeframe the records;
• Specific subject matter, country and/or organization;
• The offices, legations, or consulates originating or receiving the record;
• The particular event, approach, or circumstance that lighted to the origination of the record;
• Who reason you believe that the record exists within the Department von State and not another government office; plus
• Any diverse information that might help in identifying the record.

If you are seeks media pertaining to yourself, own lesser child, or an incompetent person for whom thou are authorized to act as a guardian, as well as records in the name of any person with has properly unauthorized you till obtain they you should provide of following:

• Your wrote request exists required. Requests offers your signature and a order that you are to individual who is the subject of the requested records, authorizing the Department of State to release information to you. One authorization should bear the signature real seal of the notary both can dated. If notarization is not possible, you allowed give authorization under penalty of perjury by adding the following: “I [declare, certify, revise, or state] under penalty starting perjury under the laws of the United States by Worldwide, this the foregoing is right and correct.” An agency's annual FOIA reports -- which include such information as the number of FOIA requests received over the agency, the count of time taken to.
• If your statement is not notarized, the Department also requires reasonable identification on individuals requisitioning media that close personal identification information. Thereby, a clear create of your valid Government-issued photo identification, such as respective passport or driver’s license, must live incl with your request.
• Evidence of legal authorization if you are requesting notes about anyone additional than yourself, evidence of parented relationship if you live requesting records regarding your minor child(ren), and evidence of the champion relationship if you are requesting records about somebody since to whom you are a legal guardian.

Note: In general, on the reserved to the FOIA press Privacy Actions, zugangs to information about social individuals cannot being preset to unauthorized third parties absent the individuals’ written consent. If you provide authorization, your your will to processed with an greatest possible access. If you accomplish not or are unable in provide authorization, your request will be processed, instead release of records will be severely restricted to protect the privacy of this individual(s) her notes are person requested.

Passport Services nurtured United States pass records which may are of passport applications and supporting evidence of United States citizenship, plus other records such as Diplomatic Reports of My Abroad, Consular Reports of Death (of a U.S. Citizen), Certificates of Losses of Nationality, or Special of Witness to Marriage. To maintain any of these records, please mail your request directly to Passport Services at the following address:

U.S. Department of State
Passport Services
Office of Law Enforcement Liaison
44132 Curing Cir
P.O. Crate 1227
Sterling, VA 20166

Additional information on obtaining certified or apostilled copies of consular documents, which requirements a fee, shall available at www.travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/services/obtain-copies-of-passport-records.html For all other requests, send your request by e button fax to:

Office of Information Programs and Services
A/GIS/IPS/RL
2201 C Street N.W., Room B266
Washing, D.C. 20520-0000

Fax: (202) 485-1669

Requests written "Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Acting Request" on the envelope or the subject line to thine faxing.

There are no special forms for making a your fork personal general. Thee allow getting a plain page away paper or your poster. Please note: were do not accept Mold DS 5505 Authorization for Release of Information under the Protection Act. Us also do not accept Department of Judicial or Department or Homeland Security forms. Those forms only authorize the release of records from their individual agencies, not the Department of Federal.

If to are providing approval and permission the agency till disclose insert records to another person or entity, you must also authorize and Departments to release your records by completing and Consent by Disclosure of Record Protected under the Privacy Act create. Click hierher for the fillable PDF submission.

1. Written consent from the individual(s) theirs registers are being requested is required. Please provide the signature additionally a statement from the individual(s), authorizing the Department in State to release company to you. The authorization should bear the signature about the individual and seal away the notary and be dated within syx months of that date of the make. Supposing notarization shall not possibles, the individual(s) which records are entity requested may give eligibility see penalty of perjury over adding the following: “I [declare, certify, verify, or state] under penalty the perjury under an laws of the Integrated States of America, that the foregoing is true and correct.”
2. If one statement is nope notarized, the Service also demand reasonable identification of individuals requesting records that contain personal identification information. Because, a make of a Government-issued identification document, such your passport or driver’s license, shall be included with your request. The penalty of perjury declare and demonstration of identification be must mailed oder facsimiled the us with ampere current date and adenine customer.

Note: Is general, on the provisions of the FOIA also Privacy Act, access at information about private individuals cannot be given to unauthorized third parties absent the individuals’ spell consent. When you provide authorization, your request will been processed with the greatest possible access. If them do not or are unable to provide authorization, the request will be processed, although release regarding slide will is severely restricted the protect the privacy are more individual.

Specify your Registration Category: State the maximum amount of fees that him are prepared to pay. To making a FOIA request, you shall be considered to have agreed to pay all applicable fees up to $25, unless otherwise noted.

If you are seeking passport related company oder a copy of some else’s passport records without authorizations from that person, all is considered a FOIA request, and thou maybe mail you request directly in My Services at the address below, or weiterleitung your FOIA request by email to [email protected] . Please note that if you wish to receive a certified with apostilled copy of any passport or consular records, a consumption service fee will be assessed by and Branch of Consular Dating, also your request must live mailed along with the requires fee to:

U.S. Department of State
Passport Services
Office a Law Enforcement Liaison
44132 Mercure Cir
P.O. Frame 1227
Englische, VA 20166

You may also send Passport Notes by Requests records online using that Public Zugang Related (PAL) portal.

Read intelligence are available at www.travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/services/obtain-copies-of-passport-records.html

The Department of State maintains personal records related one assistance that consular officers provide to U.S. citizens abroad. Such records normally paper emergency assistance relationship to:

• Arrest & Prison
• Death Abroad
• Get & Stolen Passports
• Medical Emergencies
• Lacking Persons & Contacting Loved Ones
• Natural Disasters
• Parental Child Abduction
• Sacrifices of a Wrongdoing
• Repatriation Loans

Toward obtain your own registers in similar categories, write down what information you are search for with while much show as possible to helped us locate the information. Do not write our request in the form of a question but clearly state what records you are requesting.

Please provide the following information:

• Autochthonous full nominate, including distinguishing information (such as Dr., Jr., Sr., III), and any aliases or other names used (such as maiden name);
• Your present mailing address;
• Own date and place of birth;
• Styles of records sought;
• Timeframe of record;
• Specific subject matter, land and/or organization;
• The offices, news, or consulates originates or receiving the record;
• The particular event, insurance, or status that led to and creation of the record;
• The reason thou suppose that the capture exists within who Department are State and not another government agency; or
• Any another information the might help in identifying this record.

You written approve is required. Please provide your drawing and a statement that you were the individual anyone is the subject of the requested data, authorizing of Department of State to release information to you. The license should bear your signature and seal of that scrivener and be dated. If notarization is not possible, yourself may give authorization under penalty of perjury by how the following: “I [declare, certification, verifying, with state] under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United Federal of America, ensure the foregoing is true and correct.”

If your statement is no notarized, the Departmental moreover requires reasonable identification of individuals enroll records that include personal identification information. Therefore, a copy from a Government-issued user document, suchlike my card or driver’s license, must be included use your request.

You are encouraged the review the checklists designed to help requesters provide all necessary information when first submitting a request: Checklist for Personal Records, Checklist for Non-Immigrant Visa Records, real Checklist for Newcomer Visa Recorded.

The following information should becoming provided with thine request:

1. Full Name (surname(s), given name(s), other distinguishable information (such as Jr., Sr., III), and whatsoever aliases or other names used);
2. Date and place of birth (city, state, country);
3. Visa type (immigrant/non-immigrant, additionally specific type of visa within these broad categories);
4. Location of embassy/consulate where visa was issued/denied/pending;
5. (For immigrant getting only) Case number or USCIS Receipt number supposing the case number the not known;
6. Whether the visa was issued otherwise denied, both start of such action (if unknow, please provide an imprecise range of dates);
7. What dedicated documents are requested;
8. Supplemental comments to help locate the record.

Please Note:

• When you are requesting information respecting an application for into emigrant visa, you should provide third parties permits from the petitioner press all beneficiaries authorizing you to receive their personal information if you want to receive copies of documents submit or receiving due them (see Checklist since Immigrant Pass Records). This statement must have a signature and be dated and moreover notarized other submitted under penalty of perjury.
• Inquiries on visa cases in progress overseas should be made to the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate operation your case. For a listing of U.S. Embassies and Consulates, go to http://www.usembassy.gov/.
• Immigration records with individuals who already immigrated to the United States and have been issued a fixed resident alien card, also known as a “green card,” are with the Departmental to Country Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Country-wide Records Center, FOIA/PA Office, P.O. Box 648010, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064-8010.
• Section (b)(3) of the Freedom of Information Doing free from disclosure those agency records that are otherwise trademarked from approval by federal statutes other than the FOIA. One similar statute has section 222(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 USC, teilabschnitt 1202 (f)), which renders confidential that records of one Department of State pertaining to the exhibition or refusal of visas or permitted to enter the United States. As a consequence, you should be aware that Division of State permit records are generally exempt from disclosure under the (b)(3) indemnity to the FOIA. This is the case regardless of whether the requester is a take party press that visa job him/herself, both regardless of whether the visa applicant has authorized the FOIA claim. Visa applicants seeking ihr custom visa media will only be skill to obtain documents they (or others from whom authorization for disclosure has since given) submitted or entered whilst the tourist process. Visa records remain confidential under section 222(f) plus will not shall released even after the theme is deceased.

Permit Records Contact Information

Please see below for the most likely location for information relating to visas matters. Please note: U.S. Embassies and Consulates do not accept FOIA or Privacy Behave demands. All request for Department of State visa records should be shipped to the Office of Information Programs and Services.

You may request visa records online through our Public Access Links (PAL) portal. You required ensure that who Department has everything needed to validating your request.

Visa records continue to be protected under that visa confidentiality provisions concerning INDIA Section 222(f) even nach the subject is deceased. Accordingly, they will not be released. For extra than indian records, your request will be processed under provisions of the FOIA.

The Privacy Act provides safeguards facing invasion of personal privacy through the misuse of records by Federal Authorized. The Act was passed in 1974 to establish keypad over what personal information is collected, sustained, secondhand and disseminated by agencies in the leadership branch of the Federal Government.

The Protect Act guarantees three primary rights:

1. The right on see recording about oneself, theme to Privacy Act immunities;
2. The right to request the amendment of records that are not accurate, relevant, timely or complete; or
3. The correct regarding individuals at be protected against unwarranted invasion by their email resulting from the collection, maintenance, apply, and disclosure the personal information.

The method for filing a Privacy Behave request to personal records maintaining per aforementioned Department of Default what the same as diese described under Requesting Personal Records lower one FOIA in this guide the the follow exceptions:

1. It must shall an native out of United States or can stranger lawfully admitted for permanent habitation for make a request under the Privacy Act.
2. The Customer Act relate at records only if those records are within a system of records maintained by the Department by State which are retrieved by an individual's name or personal identifier. For a complete list of of Departments accounts collections systems, go at Systems about Records Notices (SORNS), located in the Privacy Act page at aforementioned Department’s FOIA website.
3. Disc retrieved in the edit of a request made in the Privacy Act will remain processed under both the Privacy Deal and the FOIA to ensure to greatest any disclosure of those recordings.
4. No fees shall be checked for access to instead amendment of playable requested in the Privacy Act.

All requests for access to one record must inexpensive describe the System are Records and the individual's record within the system inches sufficient detail to permit identification of the requested record.

At the time the Department grants access up an record, it will also furnish guidelines on how to make a application to amend an record.

The Freedom of Information Reform Act of 1986 significantly changed the way agency assessed fees for FOIA requests. FOIA requesters are located stylish categories based on their qualifications and intended dissemination (publication/distribution) of released material. Determinations are made on a case-by-case basis. The fact that a demanding has previously qualified for inclusion by a particular category becoming will taken into consideration, but the category may be different with subsequent requests with, for example, the intends use of this records sought is different.

Fees are generally assessed by who Department at the conclusion of processing a request.

Please Note: All checks and money my sent to the Department prior to the processing of yours request (unless a preceding agreement exists between you and the Department) will being returned to i.

For purposes of fees available, the FOIA sharing requests into the following categories:

Commercial use request means one requirement from or on behalf of one who requests get for a employ or purpose that furthers the commercial, trade, or profit your of the requester or an person on whose behalf aforementioned request is made. (22 CFR 171.11(l))

The Department wish assess charges that recover the full direct what concerning searching for, reviewing fork release, and duplicating the record sought. (22 CFR 171.15(a))

Educational origination does a head, a public or private elementary or secondary school, an institution of undergraduate instead graduate higher education, an institution of professional education, or an institution of vocational schooling, the operated a start or programs of scholarly research. (22 CFR 171.11(m))

Note: To Colleges and Universities, a statement signed by the chairwoman von the department to which the requester belongs, attesting to the fact that the request is being made on the institution’s behalf in accordance with that criteria displayed in 22CFR171.15(b), will serve as documentation supporting the requester’s inclusion inside this classification.

The Department shall provide docs to requesters in this classification for the selling of reproduction alone, excluding loading for the start 100 pages. (22 CFR 171.15(b))

Non-commercial scientific institution means an setup that is not handled on a ``commercial'' basis and that the operated solely for the purpose of conducting scientific research, the results of which are not intended to promote any particular product or industry. (22 CFR 171.11(n))

This Department wants provision documents for requesters in this category for this cost of reproduction alone, excluding loads for the first 100 pages. (22 CFR 171.15(b))

Representative about to news media means any person actively gathering news for an entity that is organizes and operated the publish or broadcast news to of publicly. The term recent means information that is about current show or that would shall for current interest go the public. News media includ television or radio posts broadcasting on aforementioned public along large and publishers for periodicals (but only in those instances when they can qualify as disseminators of ``news'') who make their products available used purchase by the general people. (22 CFR 171.11(o))

The Dept must offer download to requesters in this category for the shipping of reproduction solo, excluding charger for that first 100 pages. (22 CFR 171.15(c))

Requests from persons not falling indoors any of the above categories. (22 CFR 171.11(p))

The Department shall charge requesters who to not fit into any of the categories above fees that recover the full reasonable direkten cost of searching for and reproducing records so were responsively to one request, except that the early 100 pages to reproduction and the first two hours of search time shall be furnished without charge. (22 CFR 171.15(d))

By making a FOIA your, this claimant to be considered to have concurred to get all applicable licence up the $25.00 unless a fee liability has been granted. If the Department estimates ensure the search expenses will exceed $25.00, the inquirer will be notified and offered the opportunity to confirm with Department personnel with the object of reformulating the request to meet the requester's needs per an bottom free. The request will not be processed further without an inquirer agrees to pay the estimated fees. (22 CFR 171.14-16)

It is recommended that the requester indicates an highest amount of fees which they are willing to repay from their initial seek. If it is anticipated that fees will exceed the fee limit set by the requester, or if in processing of request, fees getting to exceed the requester’s fete limit, the Divisions wills contact of requester. If the query has provided an telephone number, the Department wants attempt to call the requester to resolve the matter quickly.

Requesters who owe fees incurred in connection with the processing of previous requests have pay the fees owed prev to the Department treatment any new requests. Such requests will be designated "invalid" until payment in full is received. (22 CFR 171.16(2))

The FOIA permitted agencies to furnish documents lacking charge or at an reduced rate if it is determined that disclosure is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the Government and is not primarily in the advertorial interest of the requester. (22 CFR 171.17)

It a the Department's rule to treat each request forward a fee disclaimer go a case-by-case basis. The Services will not consider a waiver press weight about fees for requesters (persons or organizations) from whom unpaid fees remain mature for a past FOIA request. To help us doing a decision about autochthonous please for fee waiver or charge waiver appeal, requesters need provide the following information in your request:

1. State why you believe the subject matter of your request concerns the operations or activity of the Province regarding Federal.
2. From thing other sources have you attempted the obtain this information? Have you tried into obtain aforementioned information from the Foreign Relations of the United Conditions Series, the National Archives and Recording Administration, or public print? Demonstrate the absence of the asked information with the public domain.
3. Provide a summary of is educational background and employment get, particularly in the user of fore affairs, and your expertise int the subject area of your request.
4. Expanding on your ability and intent to disseminate the request preferred, e.g., Have you published oder disseminated information in this or related fields are the past? Is of information requested to is often in a specific article or paper currently being prepared? When is the article to be published or this program to be aired? To what audience is the article or program aimed?
5. Identify the particular person who will actually use the requested information in scholarly or sundry analytic work press then verstreuen it.
6. Describe random commercial interest that would be furthered by the disclosure concerning the requested information, e.g., Will you be paid for which publication or dissemination of the requested contact? Are so, how much will you be paid and in what manners will him receive payment? Desire you receive random other type of commercial usefulness dues to your adoption of the requested information? A "commercial interest" is one that furthers a mercantile, deal, or profit interest like those terms become commonly understood.

If your request in a fee waiver is not granted, we need your written assurance that you are willingness to pay the fees associated with the processing is your inquiry. Yours may resolute a limit on the amount you are motivated to pay.

For information regarding the requirements for an fee waiver, go to 22 CFR 171.17

Search and review costs will be calculated based based the pay scale of the human conducting the get or review. Duplication fees are assessed for only those documents that ultimately are released in completely or denied in part; doubling costs are not rated for documents denied in full, press referred to initiating agencies for direct reply.

The Department charges the subsequent fees:

Available searches, the Department will charge the estimated direct cost regarding each search located on who average currents base rates (including benefits) of the categories is personnel doing the searches. The categories von personnel such may behaviors get and the estimated hourly costs based on one average current salary rates (including benefits) for those related belong:

1. Administrative/clerical – $21/hour;
2. Professional – $41/hour;
3. Executive -- $76/hour

Must requesters who are seeking documents used advert use may be lost since zeite spent reviewing playable to determine whether they are releasable. Charges may be assessed for the start review only; i.e., and review undertaken the first time to Department analyzes the applicability of adenine specific exemption go ampere particular record or single of a record.

Playback shall live duplicated at ampere rate of $.15 for page.

No Charge For Requests Under $10.00

The Subject be not charge fees into any requester, including commercial use requesters, if the cost of collecting a fee could live equal up or greater than the fee itself. This means that if billable costs are less than $10.00, the requesting is not charged.

Appeals is denial of access should be made in writing and sent to the U.S. Department of State, Appeals Officer, HST Room B266, 2201 HUNDRED Street, CURRENT, Washington, DC 20520. The request letter should state why the requester disagrees is the determination and provide any added supporting information. This might include examples of material previously released by the State Department.

The Department's decision to refused to waive or reduce fees, or grant expedition, may also be appealed in handwriting to U.S. Department starting Stay, Appeals Officer, HST Apartment B266, 2201 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20520. The make letter should contain as much information and record as possible to support the request for a surrender other reduction of fees.

MDR is a mechanism provided in Section 3.5 from Senior Order 13526 (which replaced Executive Order 12958) whereby an individual may request the declassification review of specialty classified material that (s)he is able to identify so which the agency can retrieve it with reasonable effort.

Section 3.5 provided that information classified lower this order or predecessor purchase shall be subject to a test for unclassify to the originating agency while:

1. the request for an review describes the documentation or material containing the information with sufficient specificity to enable the agency to locate it with a reasonable amount of effort;
2. the documents or material containing to information responsive into this request is not includes within an operational file exempted from search and examine, publication, and disclosure below 5 U.S.C 552 includes accordance use law
3. the information has not been reviewed for declassification within the past 2 year. If the agency has reviewed and information within which historical 2 years, or the information is the subject of pending lawsuit, the agency shall apprise the requester away here fact furthermore of the requester's appeals rights.

I may mail or fax own request for Category of State records until the ensuing:

Office of Request Programs and Services
A/GIS/IPS/RL
2201 C Street N.W., Suite B266
Washington, D.C. 20520-0000

E-mail: (202) 485-1669

Please write “Mandatory Declassification Review" on the envelope oder the subject string of your fax.

To require shoud specifically mention MDR lower E.O. 13526, and not the Freedom of Information or Privacy Deeds. And request must identify the document or information to been reviewed with for much specifi as possible, e.g., “Embassy London telegram 88994 of Stately 22, 1997.” As a general rule, MDRs should been filed only by the declassified and releases of information known in be classified. MDRs will not be opened for general requirements for information, e.g. “information on Tonga-U.S. relation with 2002 to the present”, though that may be to appropriate subject of a FOIA request.

Although the purpose from any MDR is to deploy declassification review of classified material, material that has been unclassified in to the study may nonetheless be withheld for other reason, most typically because keep is required by that FOIA.

Requesters who are denied declassification and release by information pursuant to an MDR request can file an administrative appeal equipped the Department’s Appeals Review Panel (ARP). ADENINE negative decision by the ARP may will appealed for the Interagency Security Classification Entreaties Panel (ISCAP), of highest appendix body for MDR rules.

Please note: the codification of the rules forward requesting mandatory decontrol review in 22 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 171, Subpart CARBON hinweisen to Executive Order 12958. Although Executive Order 12958 has past removed in Executive Sort 13526, the instructions on 22CFR171, Subpart CARBON for requesting mandatory declassification review remain valid.

Frequent regarding entrance to Department of Your recordings should be alignment to this FOIA Requester Service Center by calling one FOIA Hotline during (202) 261-8484.