You May Not Need to Make a FOIA Request! You may be able to access the information you need via World Wide Web without making a FOIA request. Many documents are available on the ED web site, and you can perform a search for them. Also, certain records will be available electronically in our electronic FOIA (E-FOIA) reading room when it is complete. These records include: (1) final opinions and orders made in adjudicating cases; (2) final statements of policy and interpretations not published in the Federal Register; (3) administrative staff manuals and instructions to staff; (4) copies of previous FOIA requests and responses ED believes are likely to be requested again, and (5) the agency's annual FOIA reports to Congress.

If you have visited the E-FOIA reading room and were not able to find the information you are looking for, you may need to make a FOIA request. Please follow the guidelines below so that we can respond to your request as quickly as possible.

FOIA Request Guidelines

1. Make your request in writing, either handwritten or typed.

2. Be as specific as possible with regard to names, dates, places, events, subjects, etc. If known, you should include any file designations or descriptions for the records that you want. You do not have to give a requested record's exact name or title, but the more specific you are about the record or types of records that you want, the easier it will be for ED to locate them.
   See the E-FOIA reading room for more information about the types of records at ED.

3. Include a return address, daytime phone number, and e-mail address (if available) in case we must clarify your request.

4. Send your request to the following address:

   U.S. Department of Education
   Office of the Chief Information Officer
   550 12th Street, SW, PCP, 9th Floor, Room 9148
   Washington, DC 20202-4750
   Attn: FOIA Officer

   You may also fax your request to (202) 245-6623 or e-mail it to OCIO_FOIA@ed.gov.

5. To avoid delay, be sure to display prominently on the envelope, fax cover sheet, or e-mail subject line, "FOIA Request."

If Your Request Includes Privacy Act Issues

If, as part of your FOIA request, you request information about yourself under the Privacy Act, you will be asked to provide either a notarized statement or a statement signed under penalty of perjury stating that you are the person who you claim to be. You may fulfill this requirement by: (1) having your signature on your request letter witnessed by a notary, or (2) including the following statement just before the signature on your request letter: "I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on [date]." If you request information about yourself and do not follow these procedures, your request cannot be processed.

No matter which act you cite in your request, ED staff will process your request appropriately. See "What is FOIA" for more information.

For questions concerning the Privacy Act, contact Kitty Wooley, Privacy Act Officer, at (202) 245-6402 or via e-mail at Kitty Wooley@ed.gov.