Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

COVID-19 Update: Please be advised that as of March 16, 2020, the OIG is unable to retrieve mailed or faxed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or Privacy Act (PA) requests at this time.  There will be a delay in retrieving these requests until employees are able to return to the physical office.  However, the FOIA and PA office remains open and functioning and we strongly encourage you to file or refile all requests electronically either through our online request form or our email at FOIA@doioig.gov.

Welcome to the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of Inspector General (OIG) Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act page. This page provides basic guidance about FOIA to help you exercise your right to obtain federal agency records held by the DOI OIG.

Under FOIA, any person has the right to request access to any OIG records or information. Upon receiving a written request, we are required to disclose records that are not subject to a FOIA exemption. In compliance with President Obama's 2009 FOIA memorandum and Attorney General Holder's FOIA Guidelines, we process all FOIA requests with a presumption of openness, make discretionary releases of information when possible, and work in a spirit of cooperation with FOIA requestors. Records that are protected from disclosure fall under the nine exemptions and three exclusions of FOIA.

Many records are available to the public through our report database, which includes frequently requested reports. Our Electronic Reading Room contains other frequently requested documents, Departmental policies and procedures, administrative staff manuals and instructions, final opinions and adjudications, and FOIA reference materials.

If, after searching our report database and electronic reading room, you are unable to find the records or information you are seeking, you may wish to submit a FOIA request.

Please follow the links below for more information about FOIA requests.

For information about the status of your FOIA request or if you have questions about the FOIA process, contact the FOIA Public Liaison by calling 202-208-0954. The Public Liaison is available from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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