Sample FOIA Request Letter
This page offers instructions on information needed to make a Freedom of Information Act request and
provides a sample FOIA request letter that can be used by a requester.
Instructions
Please provide a detailed description. For example, if requesting records on Saddam Hussein, you could
write: Saddam Hussein, who served as president of Iraq from 1979 until 2003.
If your request is for information concerning a deceased individual, you must provide proof of death.
Acceptable forms of proof of death include obituaries, death certificates, recognized sources that can be
documented, written media, Who’s Who in America, an FBI file that indicates a person is deceased, date
of birth is 100 years or greater, or Social Security Death Index page.
If you wish to include additional specific information, attach another sheet of paper to this letter.
If you have questions about this request letter, please e-mail [email protected].
Options for sending your request: Mail to the address listed below or fax to (540) 868-4391/4997.
Sample Letter
Date: ______________________
FBI
Record/Information Dissemination Section
Attn: FOIPA Request
170 Marcel Drive
Winchester, VA 22602-4843
Dear FOIA Officer: ______________________
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act.
Date range of request: ______________________
Description of request: ________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Please search the FBI’s indices to the Central Records System for the information responsive to this
request related to:
___________________________________________________________________________________
I am willing to pay up to [$____ ] for the processing of this request. Please inform me if the estimated
fees will exceed this limit before processing my request.
I am seeking information for personal use and not for commercial use.
Thank you for your consideration,
Name: ______________________________________________________________
Title (optional): ________________________________________________________
Business (if applicable): _________________________________________________
Street Address: ________________________________________________________
City/State/ZIP Code: ____________________________________________________
Country (if applicable): __________________________________________________
Telephone (optional): ___________________________________________________
E-mail (optional):_______________________________________________________
