Digital Archive of NARA: Access to Freedom of Information Act Documents
Accessing Archival Records Through the Freedom of Information Act: A Guide
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) houses a vast collection of archival records, many of which can be accessed through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make a FOIA request for archival records.
Step 1: Identify the Records You Want
The first step is to identify the records you're interested in. You can use the National Archives Catalog or other finding aids to locate materials. Some frequently requested archival records include Law Enforcement and Investigation Records, Federal Register Publications, Civilian Personnel Files, Passport Records, and Genealogy Records.
Step 2: Submit a FOIA Request
Once you've identified the records you want, you can submit a FOIA request to NARA's FOIA office. Your request should provide detailed descriptions of the records sought to facilitate a search. Requests can be submitted online via NARA’s FOIA portal or by mail to the FOIA Officer at NARA.
Step 3: Wait for a Response
NARA will process your request and respond, subject to any applicable FOIA exemptions or restrictions, including privacy concerns. Restricted records, such as those containing personal information or security-classified data, may have limited access consistent with FOIA restrictions. Some genealogical records have privacy restrictions for up to 72 years.
Additional Information
NARA processes FOIA requests for two types of records: Operational and Archival. Operational records, created by NARA, include contracts, agency policies, employee directories, and other types of policy, administrative, and personnel records. Archival records, on the other hand, are records created by Executive branch agencies and the White House that have been accessioned into NARA's legal custody.
For operational records, FOIA requests should be submitted to [email protected]. Archival records are located at NARA's archival facilities in the Washington, DC area and around the country, as well as at Presidential Libraries.
The Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) at NARA has a Mediation Program, Compliance Program, Annual Reports, and Contact Information. NARA also has Policy Statements/Administrative Staff Manuals and Final Orders and Opinions.
Some notable archival records released under FOIA include the Digitized FBI Files, the Nazi War Crimes Interagency Working Group (IWG) Records, the Report of Special Master John W. Kern, III Concerning Allegations of Improper Disclosures of Grand Jury Information by Office of Independent Counsel Kenneth W. Starr, the 9/11 Commission Records, the Records of Independent Counsel Kenneth W. Starr, Brett Kavanaugh Attorney Work Files, and the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection, among others.
Note on Presidential Records
Because the FOIA does not apply under the Presidential Records Act (PRA) until 5 years after the President has left office, Trump's Presidential records will not become subject to FOIA until January 20, 2026. Presidential records released under the FOIA can be found at the respective pages of each NARA Presidential Library subject to the PRA/FOIA.
For more information, you can visit NARA’s website, which provides FOIA request forms and contact details for their FOIA office. The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) processes FOIA requests for official personnel files of retired military service members and retired civilian Federal employees.
The policy-and-legislation related to accessing archival records involves the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and its exemptions, which might include privacy concerns and restrictions on genealogical records for up to 72 years. Politics plays a part in this process, as FOIA requests can affect the transparency of general-news-worthy records, such as the Digitized FBI Files, the Nazi War Crimes Interagency Working Group (IWG) Records, and the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection.
