Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552) provides the public with a means of access to records maintained by the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government. The FOIA is a disclosure statute, but does allow for the withholding of certain types of information contained in agency records. The FOIA also gives requesters specific legal rights and provides administrative and judicial remedies when access to records or portions of records is denied.

You must submit a FOIA request in writing, either electronically via email to [email protected] or by regular mail to the following address. Requests may also be sent via facsimile to 719-554-2619.

• Provide your full name and address
• Provide a reasonable description of the record(s) requested
• Provide a statement of your fee category and willingness to pay applicable fees

Below is an example request letter:

HQ USNORTHCOM/CS 

ATTN: FOIA Officer
250 Vandenberg Street Suite B016
Peterson Air Force Base, CO 80914-3804

 

Dear FOIA Officer, 

I am requesting records on identify the subject(s) or record(s) as clearly and specifically as possible.

If there are any fees for searching, reviewing, or copying the records, please let me know before you task my request. [or, please supply the records without informing me of the cost if the fees do not exceed a certain dollar amount, which I will agree to pay.]

If you deny all or any part of this request, please cite each specific exemption you think justifies your refusal to release the information and notify me of appeal procedures available under the law.

Optional: If you have any questions about this request, you may call me at (home phone) or at my (office phone).

Sincerely, 

Name
Address

For certain types of requests, the FOIA allows for the charging of fees for search, review and duplication. Requesters are not required to pay in advance as a matter of practice; however, if assessable fees exceed $250.00, we may ask for advance payment from requesters without an established payment history. All fees paid as a result of processing a FOIA request are paid directly to the Department of the Treasury.

This is entirely dependent on the complexity of your request, the availability of the records, the volume of responsive records, and the need for consultation. Requests are processed on a first-in, first-out basis.

You can call the FOIA Requester Service Center at 719-556-2117 or send us email at [email protected]. Please be sure to reference your assigned FOIA case number.

We generally provide responsive documents via email when possible.

If you are not satisfied with any adverse FOIA action, you have the right to appeal to the appellate authority Ms. Joo Chung, Director of Oversight and Compliance, Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). The appellate address is: 

As an alternative you may use the OSD Public Access Link (PAL) system at https://pal.whs.mil or email your appeal to [email protected]. If you use email, please have the words "FOIA Appeal" in the subject of the email. Your appeal should cite our case number, be postmarked within 90 calendar days of the date of this response, and be clearly marked "Freedom of Information Act Appeal" on the request. Lastly, you may seek dispute resolution services by contacting USNORTHCOM's FOIA Public Liaison at (571) 372-0462, [email protected] or via mail to the following address: