Make a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request

Unless you are requesting records from the Office of Inspector General, submit your request through FOIAonline. It's a secure, web-based tracking system that allows you to: 

• Search for previously released records.
• Generate reports.
• Receive records electronically.
• Track progress on a personal dashboard.
• Communicate directly with the Department throughout the process.
• Receive notifications when the status of your request has changed.

You may also submit requests through FOIA.gov, the government's central website for FOIA.

Submit Office of Inspector General requests through the Office of Inspector General web form.

How to Request and Receive Records as Quickly as Possible

Before making a request, first see if the information you are looking for is already publicly available. Check FOIAonline and the links below for documents already online.

• Bureau and Office FOIA Libraries
• Departmental FOIA Library
• DOI Chief FOIA Officer Reports
• DOI Quarterly FOIA Reports
• DOI Annual FOIA Reports

If the information you want is not publicly available, follow these steps to submit a FOIA request.

1. Request only the specific records you need. We can return precise requests much faster.
2. Unless you are requesting records from the Office of Inspector General, make your request through FOIAonline or FOIA.gov. By requesting your records online, you can bypass mailing, paper processing, and returned mail that can add significant additional time to your request.
3. If you are requesting records from the Office of the Inspector General:
   • Submit a request online with the Office of Inspector General; or
   • Submit your request through FOIA.gov.

If you can’t submit your request online, you can file a request by physical mail or fax. Visit the DOI FOIA Contacts page for details.

Learn More About FOIA

Find more information about the Freedom of Information Act and the Department's FOIA responses on FOIA.gov.