For fastest service, the Department of Commerce, Office of Inspector General (OIG) recommends that you submit FOIA requests and appeals electronically. Electronic submissions are accepted by e-mail to FOIA@oig.doc.gov, through FOIA.gov, or through Public Access Link (PAL). Processing of paper copies of FOIA requests and or appeals sent via mail or other carrier may be subject to delays.
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) gives any person the right to request access to records of various agencies in the federal government. The federal agency must disclose the records requested unless the records are protected by one or more of the exemptions found in the statute.
FOIA applies only to federal agencies and does not create a right of access to records held by Congress, the courts, state or local government agencies, private businesses, schools, private organizations, or private individuals.
In addition to FOIA’s nine exemptions, Congress also provided special protection for three narrow categories of law enforcement and national security records. When a component responds to your request it will limit its response to those records that are subject to the FOIA.
The FOIA statute can be found at 5 U.S.C. § 552. The Department of Commerce FOIA regulations which implement the statute are found at 15 CFR §§ 4.1~4.11.
