Federal Agency

National Archives and Records Administration

Federal records, presidential libraries, historical documents

File a FOIA request with NARA
First request is free. No account needed to start.
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How to Submit

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Phone
301-837-3190
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Mail
FOIA/Privacy Act Staff (NPOL), Room 3110, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001

Legal Framework

Governing LawFreedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Citation5 U.S.C. § 552
Response Deadline20 business days
Est. Response Time~25 business days
Read the full Federal public records guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I file a FOIA request with National Archives and Records Administration?▾
You can file a request with National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) through FOIAfile in under 3 minutes. We'll format your request with proper legal citations under 5 U.S.C. § 552 and deliver it via email, online portal, mail.
How long does NARA have to respond to a FOIA request?▾
Under 5 U.S.C. § 552, National Archives and Records Administration must respond within 20 business days. FOIAfile tracks your deadline automatically and notifies you if the agency misses it.
What if NARA denies or ignores my request?▾
If National Archives and Records Administration denies your request or fails to respond within the deadline, you may have legal options including administrative appeals and court action. FOIAfile provides appeal letter templates and can connect you with a FOIA attorney for a free consultation.

Other Federal Agencies

Central Intelligence Agency
CIA · ~120 day response
Department of Defense
DOD · ~60 day response
Department of Education
ED · ~28 day response
Department of Health & Human Services
HHS · ~35 day response
Department of Homeland Security
DHS · ~50 day response
Department of Justice
DOJ · ~45 day response
Department of State
STATE · ~55 day response
Department of Transportation
DOT · ~32 day response

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