Freedom of Information/Privacy Act

FOIA Library: Includes frequently requested records, opinions, policy statements, and staff manuals/instructions to staff, created by the United States Marshals Service after Nov. 1, 1996.

Component Description: United States Marshals serve as law enforcement agents of the Government and, in that capacity, also serve as officers of the Federal courts. The Service maintains files on individuals for whom Federal warrants have been issued; records on prisoners in the custody of the United States Marshals; background information and records related to threats to and the protection of Government witnesses, U.S. Attorneys and their assistants, Federal jurists and other court officials; records on process served and executed in Federal court proceedings; and records on seized and forfeited property and evidence. It also maintains various records pertaining to the administration of the Service, including official personnel files for its employees.

Department of Justice FOIA Regulations: The rules that detail the Department of Justice’s procedures for implementing the FOIA and the Privacy Act.

DOJ Reference Guide: A comprehensive guide to the FOIA that serves as a handbook for obtaining information from the Department.

Historical Document:

For over 200 years now, U.S. Marshals and their Deputies have served as the instruments of civil authority used by all three branches of government. Marshals have been involved in most of the major historical episodes in America's past.  Requests for historical documents associated with major events in the U.S. Marshals service should be directed to the Freedom of Information Officer. 

For Historical Records Assistance involving genealogical research, contact the Historian of the U.S. Marshals Service.  Each year, the Marshals Service receives 500-700 requests per year for historical or genealogical information. While we have approximately 30,000 names and references to personnel, there are names being constantly added to our official tally. This is due to the scattered source material available to document the enormous number of Posse Members, Guards, and Deputy U.S. Marshals over a 215-year period.  

Multitrack Processing

FOIA requests are placed in one of three major tracks. Track one is for those requests which seek and receive expedited processing pursuant to subsection (a)(6)(E) of the FOIA. The second track is for those requests which do not involve voluminous records or lengthy consultations with other entities. Track three is for those requests which involve voluminous records and for which lengthy or numerous consultations are required, or those requests which may involve sensitive records.

Resources

• Privacy Impact Statements
• Major Information Systems
• FOI/PA Exemptions-Exclusions