FOIA Request Template — Free Sample Letter You Can Use Today

A FOIA request is a written letter or electronic submission to a federal agency asking for specific records under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552. While there is no required format, using a well-structured template ensures your request includes all necessary elements and is processed efficiently. FOIAfile generates properly formatted FOIA request letters automatically, but understanding the components helps you write more effective requests.

Every FOIA request should include these elements: • Agency identification — The specific agency and FOIA office you are writing to • Statement that this is a FOIA request — Clearly identify your letter as a request under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552 • Description of records sought — Be as specific as possible about what records you want, including date ranges, subjects, and document types • Format preference — Request electronic copies (PDF) when possible, as these are typically provided at no cost • Fee category — Identify yourself as a commercial requester, news media, educational institution, or "all other" requester • Fee waiver request (optional) — If disclosure is in the public interest and not primarily for commercial purposes • Contact information — Your name, address, email, and phone number for the agency to reach you

Here is the structure of an effective FOIA request: Opening: "Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552, I respectfully request access to and copies of the following records:" Record description: Be specific. Instead of "all records about pollution," write "All inspection reports, compliance orders, and correspondence related to [facility name] from January 1, 2023 to present." Format: "I request that responsive records be provided in electronic format (PDF) pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(3)(B)." Fee waiver: "I request a fee waiver pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(A)(iii). Disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest because it will contribute significantly to the public understanding of government operations." Deadline reminder: "I expect a response within 20 business days as required by 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(A)." FOIAfile generates this language automatically based on your inputs, with proper agency-specific formatting and addresses.

These mistakes can delay your FOIA request or result in a denial: • Being too vague — "All records about the environment" is too broad. Narrow by date, subject, document type, and agency component. • Sending to the wrong office — Large agencies have multiple FOIA offices. Send your request to the component that holds the records. • Forgetting contact information — The agency needs a way to reach you for clarification or fee estimates. • Not specifying format — Without a format preference, agencies may provide paper copies and charge per page. • Missing the fee category — Your fee category determines how much you may be charged. Most individual requesters get the first 2 hours of search and 100 pages free.

Instead of writing your FOIA request from scratch, FOIAfile generates a properly formatted request letter with the correct legal citations, agency-specific formatting, and delivery to the right FOIA office — all in under 3 minutes. Your first request is free, and you can track the status, deadlines, and agency responses from your dashboard. If the agency misses its deadline, FOIAfile connects you with FOIA litigation attorneys who can take legal action.