Authorities and Guidance

Below are links to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) statute, implementing regulations, executive orders, policies, and other guidance materials. 

The Statute

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), showing changes made by the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016 (5 U.S.C. 552)

Department of the Interior (DOI) Regulations

DOI FOIA Regulations

DOI Policies

Departmental Manual

383 DM 15 - Freedom of Information Act

Resources for FOIA Professionals

FOIA Handbook
Language for FOIA Responses

Policy Bulletins

Electronic Calendars
Use of Microsoft Purview for FOIA Searches
FOIAXpress Electronic Tracking and Case Management System
Preapprovals for Withholding Certain Categories of Information Bulletin
Collecting Text Messages Responsive to Freedom of Information Act Requests Bulletin
eERDMS FOIA Search Policy Bulletin

Privacy-Related Resources

Solicitor Guidance Regarding FOIA Requests for Personal Information of Commenters
DOI Privacy Act Regulations
Privacy Act System of Records Notices

FOIA Fees

DOI FOIA Fee Schedule
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidelines for FOIA Fees
Revisions to OMB Guidelines for FOIA Fees

Foreseeable Harm

Foreseeable Harm Standard Guidance Memorandum
Foreseeable Harm Statements Guidance for FOIA Appeals

Exemptions and Exclusions

Statutes the Department of Justice (DOJ) Found to Qualify Under Exemption 3 of the FOIA
DOJ Guidance on Implementing FOIA's Statutory Exclusion Provisions

DOI Records Information

Records Management Program

Government-Wide FOIA Related Resources

DOJ Guide to the FOIA, updated on a rolling basis.
DOJ Infographic on FOIA
DOJ FOIA Post, providing DOJ-OIP FOIA guidance updates
Attorney General Freedom of Information Act Guidelines
FOIA.gov, DOJ's government-wide FOIA request portal
National Archives and Records Administration General Records Schedule 4.2: Information Access and Protection Records
Section508.gov, Making Electronic and Information Technology Accessible to People with Disabilities

The 2007 FOIA amendments created the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) to offer mediation services to resolve disputes between FOIA requesters and Federal agencies as a non-exclusive alternative to litigation. Using OGIS services does not affect your right to pursue litigation. You may contact OGIS in any of the following ways:

Office of Government Information Services
National Archives and Records Administration
8601 Adelphi Road - OGIS
College Park, MD 20740-6001
E-mail: ogis@nara.gov
Web: https://www.archives.gov/ogis
Telephone: 202-741-5770
Fax: 202-741-5769
Toll-free: 1-877-684-6448

Disclaimer: To the extent that anything included on the DOI FOIA website may be or could be construed as inconsistent with the law or DOI's regulations, the law and regulations will control DOI's responsibilities under the FOIA.

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