What does a FOIA request cover?
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) generally provides that any person has the right to request access to federal agency records or information except to the extent the records are protected from disclosure by any of nine exemptions contained in the law or by one of three special law enforcement record exclusions.
When can a FOIA be denied?
Can the FCC deny my FOIA request? Yes. If the Bureau or Office that is the custodian of the records determines that there are no records responsive to your request, or that one or more of the FOIA exemptions described above applies to the documents you request, your request will be denied in writing.
How long does it take to get a FOIA request?
These can be processed in one to five workdays. Normal – These are usually processed in six to twenty workdays. Complex – requests that involve the entire contents of a case file, or that require extensive search, review, referral, consultation, and analysis. These can be processed in twenty-one to sixty workdays.
What can you find out under the Freedom of Information Act?
When is information covered by the Freedom of Information Act? The Act covers all recorded information held by a public authority. It is not limited to official documents and it covers, for example, drafts, emails, notes, recordings of telephone conversations and CCTV recordings.
What is a simple FOIA request?
Simple Request – A FOIA request that an agency anticipates will involve a small volume of material or which will be able to be processed relatively quickly.
What is a FOIA liaison?
The FOIA Public Liaison is intended to supervise the Center and ensure a “service-oriented response to FOIA requests and FOIA-related inquiries.” Id. Decentralized agencies may have multiple FOIA Public Liaisons who, in turn, report as appropriate to the Chief FOIA Officer.
How do you write a FOIA?
It must be in writing and signed by the person making the request; It must state that the request is being made pursuant to the FOIA; It must reasonably describe the records being requested; It must state the category of the requester for fee purposes (i.e., commercial, media, educational, all other);