Main Page

 New to FOIA and don't know where to start? Check out the FOIA Basics page. Disclaimer: this is an alpha release site that is under construction and subject to change at any time.

Welcome to the FOIA Wiki!

This free and collaborative resource on the U.S. Freedom of Information Act is provided by the [//rcfp.org Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press], with contributions from The FOIA Project, {ORG B}, {ORG C}. and users like you.


 * → Want to get involved? Read the  FOIA Wiki Policies before making changes or additions. To make a suggestion or find something to work on, see the FOIA Wiki's To Do page.


 * → Have a question about FOIA, or want to discuss something an agency is doing? Visit the FOIA Wiki Forum.


 * → Heard something new about FOIA? Post it in the FOIA News page.

Table of Contents


 * Introduction
 * Text of the FOIA
 * Legislative History
 * Agency FOIA Regulations
 * Executive Branch Guidance
 * History
 * Current Guidance
 * OGIS Guidance
 * OIP Guidance
 * Affirmative Disclosures
 * (a)(1) requirements
 * (a)(2) requirements
 * Enforcement of affirmative disclosures
 * Entities Subject to FOIA
 * Agency-Specific Information
 * Records Subject to FOIA
 * Making a FOIA Request
 * Fee Categories
 * Fee Waivers
 * Expedited Processing


 * Pre-determination agency actions
 * Accepting requests
 * Multitrack processing
 * Searching for records
 * Consultations/Referrals
 * Estimated dates of completion
 * Public liaisons & FOIA officers
 * Pre-determination communications
 * Determinations & releasing records
 * Timing
 * Required Contents
 * Segregable Information
 * Format of Records
 * Administrative Appeals
 * Timing of an administrative appeal
 * What can be appealed?
 * Contents of an administrative appeal
 * Timing of the agency response
 * New issues raised on appeal
 * Sample administrative appeals
 * Office of Government Information Services
 * Mediation
 * Compliance Reviews
 * Recommendations/Other


 * Exemptions from disclosure
 * Exemption 1
 * Exemption 2
 * Exemption 3
 * Exemption 4
 * Exemption 5
 * Threshold Requirement
 * Deliberative Process Privilege
 * Work Product Privilege
 * Attorney-Client Privilege
 * Other Privileges
 * Exemption 6
 * Threshold Requirement
 * Privacy Interest
 * Public Interest
 * Exemption 7
 * Threshold Requirement
 * Exemption 7(A)
 * Exemption 7(B)
 * Exemption 7(C)
 * Exemption 7(D)
 * Exemption 7(E)
 * Exemption 7(F)
 * Exemption 8
 * Exemption 9
 * § 552(c) Exclusions
 * Glomar Responses
 * Waiver of Exemptions
 * Discretionary Disclosure


 * Litigation
 * Standing
 * Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies
 * Jurisdiction and Venue
 * Statute of Limitations
 * Pleadings
 * Preliminary Injunctions
 * Motions to Dismiss
 * Discovery
 * Vaughn Indices
 * Agency Declarations
 * In Camera Inspection
 * Standard of Review
 * Motions for Summary Judgment
 * Trial
 * Relief and Remedies
 * Costs and Attorney Fees
 * Appellate Practice
 * Reverse FOIA Lawsuits
 * Agency Reporting Requirements
 * FOIA and the Privacy Act
 * FOIA and the Administrative Procedure Act
 * Mandatory Declassification Review
 * Major Supreme Court FOIA Cases
 * Additional Resources


 * Index of all FOIA Wiki articles