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Please note that we only accept FOIA requests for records maintained by the U.S. Department of State.
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) gives the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency. It is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the know about their government. Federal agencies are required to disclose any information requested under the FOIA unless it falls under one of nine exemptions, which protect interests such as personal privacy, national security, and law enforcement.
The FOIA only applies to federal agencies and not Congress, the courts, or state or local governments. Any requests for state or local government records should be directed to the appropriate state or local government agency.
The Privacy Act provides safeguards against invasion of personal privacy through the misuse of records by Federal Agencies. The Act was passed in 1974 to establish controls over what personal information is collected, maintained, used and disseminated by agencies in the executive branch of the Federal Government.
The Privacy Act guarantees three primary rights:
The right to see records about oneself, subject to Privacy Act exemptions.
The right to request the amendment of records that are not accurate, relevant, timely or complete.
The right of individuals to be protected against unwarranted invasion of their privacy resulting from the collection, maintenance, use, and disclosure of personal information.
The formulation and execution of U.S. Foreign policy
The administration and operations of the Department of State and U.S. missions abroad
Applications from U.S. citizens for U.S. passports
Visa requests from non-citizens to enter the U.S.
Consular assistance given to U.S. citizens abroad
Current and former employees of the Department of State
For more information on the organization and responsibility of the Department of State, go to Department of State Bureaus and Offices List.
Get copies of Passport Records
Request passport records directly from the Passport Office.
Request Office of Inspector General (OIG) records
For OIG related documents, go directly to the OIG FOIA site.
The most efficient way to make a FOIA request is using the Public Access Link (PAL) online portal.
PAL allows you to:
Request U. S. Department of State Records
Request Personal Records
Request Visa Records
Access previously requested records
Check the status of your request
Determine whether the information is already publicly available
Prior to filing a request for Department of State records, please determine is the information you are seeking is already available online.
FOIA Library
View the Department of State’s laws, rules and regulations; administrative rulings; policies and procedures;
historical documents; documents previously released under the FOIA; and other publications.
Records
Available at the National Archives
In general, permanent records 25 years and older, pre-1925 passport and pre-1940 visa records are property of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
Draft Your Request
To submit a request:
Write down what information you are looking for with as much detail as possible.
Do not write your request in the form of a question but clearly state what records you are requesting.
Provide the following:
Type of record(s)
Timeframe of record(s) (when the record was created)
Specific subject matter, country, person and/or organization
Offices or consulates originating or receiving the record(s)
Particular event, policy or circumstance that led to the creation of the record(s)
Reason why you believe the record(s) exists
Requesting Contract Information
If you are requesting information involving a contract with the Department of State,
provide the contract number, approximate date, type of contract, and name of contractor.
Fees
Determine your fee category and state the maximum amount of fees that you are willing to pay.
Please note that by making a FOIA request, you shall be considered to have agreed to pay all applicable fees up to $25, unless otherwise noted.
Fee Categories
For purposes of fees only, the FOIA divides requests into the following categories:
Commercial Use
Educational Institution
Noncommercial Scientific Institution
Representatives of the News Media
All Other
Fee Waivers
You may request a fee waiver if you believe that the 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 is not primarily for your commercial interest.
For more information on Fees, Requester Categories, & Fee Waivers, go to the Fees page.
Submit Your Request
To help facilitate communication and the delivery of any releasable material, please provide the following:
Your name
Address
Phone number
Email address (optional)
Send your request to the following:
Email: FOIARequest@state.gov
Mail: U.S. Department of State
Information Access Liaison Office, A/SKS/IAP/IAL
2201 C Street N.W., Suite B266
Washington, D.C. 20520-0000
Fax: (202) 485-1669
Please write “Freedom of Information Act" on the envelope or the subject line of your email or fax.
Determine whether to request the information under the Privacy Act
If you are seeking records only about yourself, you may wish to request the information under the Privacy Act.
Please note:
Records retrieved in the processing of a request made under the Privacy Act will be processed under both the Privacy Act and the FOIA to ensure the greatest possible disclosure of those records.
To request information under the Privacy Act, you should be a citizen of the United States, or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
The Privacy Act permits access to your own records only if those records are within a system of records maintained by the Department of State that are retrieved by an individual's name or personal identifier.
The Privacy Impact Assessments (PIA) and System of Records Notices (SORN) provide a complete list of the Department’s records collections systems.
For more information on the Privacy Act, go to the Privacy Office.
Requests submitted by a parent or guardian of a minor or a legal guardian seeking access to the records of an individual who has been declared by a court to be incompetent will be processed under both the FOIA and Privacy Act if you submit proof of parental or guardian relationship.
The request will be processed under the Privacy Act and the FOIA only if the request is accompanied by third-party authorization.
Draft Your Request
Write down what information you are looking for with as much detail as possible.
Do not write your request in the form of a question but clearly state what records you are requesting.
Provide the following:
Full Name (surname(s), given name(s), other distinguishing information (such as Jr., Sr., III), and any aliases or other names used)
Date and Place of Birth (country, state/province, and city)
Where the record was created: the offices or consulates originating or receiving the record
Why the record was created: the particular event, policy, or circumstance that led to the creation of the record
Current address and telephone number
Citizenship Status
Additional information to help locate the record
Third Party Authorization (if applicable)
You may also mail, email or fax to the Department of State a completed Request for Individual Access to Records Protected under the Privacy Act (DS-4240-R) form even if you are not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
If you are requesting personal information about another individual or if you are requesting personal records on behalf of someone else, you should provide the following:
A written statement, signed and dated within six months of the date of the request, from all individuals whose records you are seeking, authorizing the Department of
State to release information to you.
Each statement should include either:
an original, notarized signature bearing your signature and the signature and seal of the notary
or
the following penalty of perjury statement:
"I [declare, certify, verify, or state] under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America, that the foregoing is true and correct."
State your relationship to the subject(s) of the request (parent, legal guardian, legal representative)
A completed Consent for Disclosure of Records Protected under the Privacy Act (DS-4240-C) form may be used to provide consent, even if you are not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
Note: If you cannot provide consent please state so; however, the possibility of obtaining documents will be severely restricted.
For records of a deceased person, please provide the following:
Proof of death: a copy of the death certificate or a newspaper obituary
The person’s date and place of birth and other identifying information (passport number, social security number, etc.)
You should explain the type of material you seek and why you think that the Department of State would have records on the deceased. Your request will be processed under provisions of the FOIA.
Verify Your Identity
Your request must include a statement verifying you are the person requesting the information.
This statement must be signed and dated within six months of the date of the request and include either:
an original, notarized signature bearing your signature and the signature and seal of the notary
or
the following penalty of perjury statement:
"I [declare, certify, verify, or state] under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America,
that the foregoing is true and correct."
If you are submitting a completed Request for Individual Access to Records Protected under the Privacy Act (DS-4240-R) form, you will not be required to submit additional verification.
You, as the requestor, must provide the following information about yourself:
Full Name
Address
Phone number
Email address (optional)
Submit your request
Send your request to the following
Email: FOIARequest@state.gov
Mail: U.S. Department of State
Information Access Liaison Office, A/SKS/IAP/IAL
2201 C Street N.W., Suite B266
Washington, D.C. 20520-0000
Fax: (202) 485-1669
Please write “Freedom of Information Act" on the envelope or the subject line of your email or fax.
Determine whether the information you are looking for is with the U. S. Department of State
Not all visa records are maintained by the Department of State.
The Department of State maintains the following visa records:
Civil documents presented by the applicant (the individual applying for a visa)
Correspondence previously sent to or given to the applicant by the post (U.S. Embassy or Consulate)
Visa applications and any other documents submitted by the applicant to the Department in the form in which they were submitted.
The following chart indicates the most likely location for information relating to visa matters:
| Requested Information | Contact |
|---|---|
|
The U.S. Embassy or Consulate handling the case. |
|
U.S. Department of State |
|
National Visa Center |
|
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services |
|
Archives II Reference Branch (RD-DC), |
Note: U.S. Embassies and Consulates do not accept FOIA or Privacy Act requests. All requests for Department of State visa records should be sent to the Information Access Liaison Office.
Draft Your Request
To help us locate the requested records, provide as much information as you can.
Non-Immigrant Visas
Provide the following information with your request:
Immigrant Visas
Provide the following information with your request:
You may also mail, email or fax to the Department of State a completed Request for Individual Access to Records Protected under the Privacy Act (DS-4240-R) form even if you are not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
If you would like to request personal information about another individual or if you are requesting personal records on behalf of someone else, you should provide the following:
A written statement, signed and dated within six months of the date of the request, from all individuals whose records you are seeking, authorizing the Department of State to release information to you.
Each statement should include either:
an original, notarized signature bearing your signature and the signature and seal of the notary
or
the following penalty of perjury statement:
"I [declare, certify, verify, or state] under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America, that the foregoing is true and correct."
State your relationship to the subject(s) of the request (parent, legal guardian, legal representative).
For immigrant visas, state the relationship between the petitioner and beneficiaries.
Please let us know if you cannot provide consent from any of the beneficiaries.
A completed Consent for Disclosure of Records Protected under the Privacy Act (DS-4240-C) form may be used to provide consent, even if you are not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
Note: If you cannot provide consent please state so; however, the possibility of obtaining documents will be severely restricted.
Verify Your Identity
Your request must include a statement verifying you are the person requesting the information.
This statement must be signed and dated within six months of the date of the request and include either:
an original, notarized signature bearing your signature and the signature and seal of the notary
or
the following penalty of perjury statement:
"I [declare, certify, verify, or state] under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America,
that the foregoing is true and correct."
If you are submitting a completed Request for Individual Access to Records Protected under the Privacy Act (DS-4240-R) form, you will not be required to submit additional verification.
You, as the requestor, must provide the following information about yourself:
Full Name
Address
Phone number
Email address (optional)
State the maximum amount of fees that you are willing to pay.
By making a FOIA request, you shall be considered to have agreed to pay all applicable fees up to $25, unless otherwise noted.
Visit the Fees page for more information.
Submit Your Request
Send your request to the following:
Email: FOIARequest@state.gov
Mail: U.S. Department of State
Information Access Liaison Office, A/SKS/IAP/IAL
2201 C Street N.W., Suite B266
Washington, D.C. 20520-0000
Fax: (202) 485-1669
Please write “Freedom of Information Act" or Privacy Act” on the envelope or the subject line of your email or fax.
Initial Response
The Department’s initial response will advise you of the case number assigned
to your request and how to contact the Department should you have any questions about the processing of your request.
If you submit your request online, you will receive acknowledgement of receipt and an electronically generated case number.
If you submit an invalid request (usually because of missing information), you will be informed of what you need to do to validate your request.
If your request presents unusual circumstances, such as the volume of records, the complexity of the search, and/or the sensitivity of the subject matter, you may be notified and offered an opportunity to limit the scope of your request to facilitate its processing.
Search/Review
Once your request is perfected, the Department will search for and retrieve material responsive to your request.
Many FOIA/PA requests to the Department require searches of multiple records systems, offices and/or overseas posts.
After the search is completed, the Department must examine each record to determine whether, and to what extent the record is responsive to your request and the extent to which it may be disclosed. This often requires the Information Access Programs Directorate (IAP) to consult with the offices and bureaus within the Department and other federal agencies.
Release/Deny Determinations
You will receive a substantive response when your request is fulfilled, denied in part or denied in full.
It is the Department of State’s policy to release information to the maximum extent possible. Information that is protected from release by any of nine exemptions contained in the law or by one of three special law enforcement record exclusions, will be indicated at the place where the decision is made. Go to FOIA Exemptions for more on information protected from disclosure.
For all information withheld, in full or in part, you will be notified of the basis for withholding and provided instructions on how to appeal the Department’s decision.
A request for expedited processing must be accompanied by a statement setting forth the reasons why your request should be expedited.
The following conditions will be considered for your request for expedited processing:
Failure to obtain requested information on an expedited basis could reasonably be expected to pose an imminent threat to the life or physical safety of an individual.
The information is urgently needed by an individual primarily engaged in disseminating information in order to inform the public concerning actual or alleged Federal government activity. Requesters must demonstrate that their primary activity involves publishing or otherwise disseminating information to the public in general, not just to a particular segment or group.
Failure to release the information would impair substantial due process rights or harm substantial humanitarian interests.
A request for expedited processing may be made at the time you initiate a request for records or during the processing of your request.
Send your request for expedited processing to the following:
Email: FOIARequest@state.gov
Mail: U.S. Department of State
Information Access Liaison Office, A/SKS/IAP/IAL
2201 C Street N.W., Suite B266
Washington, D.C. 20520-0000
Fax: (202) 485-1669
A notice of the determination whether to grant expedited processing shall be provided to the requester within 10 calendar days of the date of the receipt of the request in the appropriate office (IAP, OIG, or PPT).
Appealing a Denial to Grant Expedited Processing
The Department's decision to refuse to grant expedition may be appealed within 30 calendar days of the receipt of the denial.
For more information on appealing the Departments decision not to grant expedited processing, go to Appeals.
If you wish to correct or modify your request, you may send your amended request to the following:
Email: FOIARequest@state.gov
Mail: U.S. Department of State
Information Access Liaison Office, A/SKS/IAP/IAL
2201 C Street N.W., Suite B266
Washington, D.C. 20520-0000
Fax: (202) 485-1669
Please note that you are amending your request when providing additional information.
Provide your case number in any communication regarding your request.
You may appeal any adverse determination, including whether to grant a fee waiver or expedited handling or the denial of access to information.
Appeals should be sent to:
Email: FOIAAppeals@state.gov
Mail: U.S. Department of State
Appeals Office
Information Access Programs (A/SKS/IAP)
2201 C Street, N.W., Suite B266
Washington, D.C. 20520
Fax: (202) 485-1718
For more information, go to Appeals
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding the status of a request, you may contact the FOIA
Requester Service Center at (202) 261-8484 or email FOIAStatus@state.gov.
Last modified on: 02/24/2025
