Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Handbook
The DoD FOIA Handbook has been revised and is available on the Defense Freedom of Information Policy Office site at FOIA Handbook
This handbook tells you how to obtain information from the Air Force and the different ways to do so. It explains how to submit a FOIA request, where to send it, what types of information and records are available, and gives you our average response times. We also list categories of records that the law exempts from release and procedures for appealing those decisions.
The Air Force provides information and records through various programs and channels:
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is an option you may want to use when the releasability of a record is in doubt. The FOIA provides public access to releasable records. It does not require agencies to do research, conduct surveys, compile or analyze data, or to answer questions.
Some of the types of records available through FOIA include the Roswell Report, program element descriptive summaries, contract information, courts-martial, histories, environmental impact statements, training materials, and organizational charts.
FOIA Libraries are available for viewing records on site, if desired, at each FOIA office throughout the Air Force. You can access FOIA Library records from Air Force Link or DefenseLINK.
The Air Force FOIA Regulation and Annual Reports are available electronically, as well as a list of our key FOIA offices.
The four basic guidelines for submitting a FOIA request.
(1) Indicate that it is a FOIA request.
(2) Clearly identify the record(s) being sought and be specific on the type of documents. Avoid terms such as "requesting any and all documents" since this type of request generally requires clarification and responsive documents can include excessive costs for search and releasable documents.
NOTE: Recommend asking for "all releasable information" in your request. This allows the FOIA office to redact or remove information generally exempted under the FOIA program and process your request quicker. FOIA provides access to records and "is not" a forum for answering questions.
(3) Indicate a willingness to pay fees associated with the processing the request or, in the alternative, why a waiver may be appropriate. State an actual dollar amount versus a willingness to pay reasonable costs. This avoids guessing what is considered reasonable and you can be contacted should processing costs exceed your limit.
(4) Must provide contact information, such as a telephone number, email address, and/or mailing address, to assist the RSC in communicating and providing released records.
The request is considered properly received or perfected, when the above conditions have been met and the request arrives at the FOIA office of the Component or agency in possession of the records. FOIA requests are processed within 20 work days unless there are unusual circumstances that may justify delay whereby the requester will be contacted.
How to Make a FOIA Request. If you want to submit a FOIA request online "CLICK HERE". Once there, we recommend you review all the links listed on the left side as they have been designed to provide information and guidance.
For mailing/faxing contact the FOIA Requester Service Center where the record is located, describe the records you want as specifically as possible and let us know how much you're willing to pay. Furnish any facts or clues about the time, place, persons, events, subjects, or other details of the information or records you want. That will help us decide where to search and determine what records pertain to your request. It can also save you and the government time and money and you may get what you want faster. Mark your request and envelope "FOIA."
If you are seeking records on yourself, this is a Privacy Act request. You will need to provide proof of identity. At this time, all Privacy Act request must be submitted by mailing/faxing directly to the appropriate Requester Service Center.
NOTE: Air Force-affiliated requesters, to include military and civilian employees, should not use government equipment, supplies, stationery, postage, telephones, or official mail channels to make FOIA requests. Requests should be made through personal e-mail or postal service.
Where to Send a FOIA Request. For fastest response times, the Air Force has decentralized its FOIA program. If you want to submit a FOIA inquire "CLICK HERE".
No single office handles all FOIA requests. If you prefer not to submit on line you can mail/fax your request to the particular base or activity that has the records you want. If you don't know which Air Force activity has the records you want, e-mail your request to: SAF/AAII, 1000 Air Force Pentagon, Washington, DC 20330-1000; E-mail: SAF.AA.HAF.FOIA.Workflow@us.af.mil
FOIA Costs. The FOIA allows fee charges based on the requester's category. There are three categories: commercial (pay search, review, and reproduction fees); educational, non-commercial scientific institution, and news media (pay reproduction fees; first 100 pages provided at no cost); and others (pay search and reproduction fees; first two hours search and 100 pages provided at no cost). The FOIA also allows waivers or reductions in fees if disclosing the information is in the public interest.
Please note the costs/fees are updated in accordance with 32 CFR Subparts 286.12 and 286.13.
The Debt Collection Act authorizes federal agencies to charge interest. Interest charged is simple interest (computed on the original principal only) at the rate in effect at the time the debt became overdue. The debt remains fixed for the duration of the debt. The current value fund rate (CVFR) is posted at www.fms.treas.gov/cvfr.
Response Time. Normally, you can expect a response to your FOIA request within 20 business days from the date the proper FOIA office receives it. If special situations exist, the FOIA office will contact you with an estimated completion date and explain the reason for delay. The Air Force works requests on a first-in, first-out basis.
Appeals. You may file an administrative appeal with the Air Force if records responsive to your request are withheld in full or partially denied or if your request for expedited processing or a fee waiver is denied. Your appeal must be received within ninety (90) calendar days from the date of your final response letter. You may submit an appeal online or by mail to the FOIA Requester Service Center that provided you with the final decision on your initial request. Details on the appeal process can be found in the Air Force FOIA Regulation. Please be specific about why you are submitting the appeal and provide any additional information, if possible.
FOIA Exemptions. The FOIA provides access to federal agency records (or parts of those records) except those protected from release by nine specific exemptions. These are the reasons some Air Force records may not be released:
(1) Classified
(2) Internal personnel rules and practices
(3) Exempt by other statute
(4) Commercial information that would cause competitive harm
(5) Pre-decisional, deliberative information
(6) Invasion of personal privacy
(7) Compiled for law enforcement purposes
(8) Records for the use of any agency responsible for the regulation or supervision of financial institutions
(9) Records containing geological and geophysical information (including maps) concerning wells
You have the right to appeal all denial decisions within 90 days. Send appeals to the Secretary of the Air Force through the office that initially denied you the information.
Other channels for requesting information, other than FOIA, include:
Public Affairs: accepts requests from news media organizations. Contact that office with questions or requests for records. Their address is: Secretary of the Air Force, Office of Public Affairs, 1690 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1690, telephone: (703) 695-0640.
Mandatory Declassification Review: If you are only seeking a copy of a record or records that are currently classified, and would like the record reviewed for appropriate declassification and release, you should file a Mandatory Declassification Review request. Mandatory Declassification Review is a provision of Presidential Executive Order 13526 that allows members of the public to request a mandatory declassification review of a classified document in order to obtain a releasable version of the document. The desired document requested must be specified in sufficient detail that it can be readily located. The record in question may not be the subject of litigation. The mandatory declassification review process can be a very timely and in-depth, due to the classification of materials being reviewed by internal and outside agencies. MDR decisions can be administratively appealed to the Headquarters Air Force/AAII (Mandatory Declassification Review) or Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (ISCAP). Requests for review and release of classified records under the MDR process can be made to:
Headquarters Air Force/AAII (Mandatory Declassification Review)
1000 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330-1000
Email: saf.aa.mdr.workflow@us.af.mil
Phone: Comm: (703) 693-2560/DSN 223-2560
Many offices create records with no release restrictions and will provide them, on request, without citing FOIA. Many are electronically available via the World Wide Web. Examples are biographies, fact sheets, Air Force publications, and historical records. You may locate many of the records you want by using the search tool at Air Force Link. Other search tools include the Government Information Locator Service and Privacy Act Systems of Records Notices. The National Personnel Records Center keeps copies of personnel records on former military and civilian personnel.