FOIA Guidance
Below are links to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) statute, implementing regulations, executive orders, policies, and other guidance materials.
The Statute
Department of the Interior (DOI) Regulations
DOI Policies
Secretary's Orders
- Secretary's Order No. 3378, "Improving the Department of the Interior Freedom of Information Act Program"
- Secretary's Order No. 3371, "The Department of the Interior Freedom of Information Act Program"
Departmental Manual
FOIA Handbook
Required Language
Policy Bulletins
- Use of Microsoft Purview for FOIA Searches
- FOIAXpress Electronic Tracking and Case Management System
- Preapprovals for Withholding Certain Categories of Information Bulletin
- Collecting Text Messages Responsive to Freedom of Information Act Requests Bulletin
- eERDMS FOIA Search Policy Bulletin
Privacy-Related Resources
- Solicitor Guidance Regarding FOIA Requests for Personal Information of Commenters
- Information Resources Management Bulletin No. 96-04 Processing FOIA Requests for Personal and Personnel-Related Information
- DOI Privacy Act Regulations
- Privacy Act System of Records Notices
FOIA Fees
- DOI FOIA Fee Schedule
- Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidelines for FOIA Fees
- Revisions to OMB Guidelines for FOIA Fees
Foreseeable Harm
Exemptions and Exclusions
- Statutes the Department of Justice (DOJ) Found to Qualify Under Exemption 3 of the FOIA
- Exemption 3 Statutes Used in FY 2021 Annual Reports
- DOJ Guidance on Implementing FOIA's Statutory Exclusion Provisions
DOI Records Information
Government-Wide FOIA Related Resources
- DOJ Guide to the FOIA, updated on a rolling basis.
- DOJ Infographic on FOIA
- DOJ FOIA Post, providing DOJ-OIP FOIA guidance updates
- Attorney General Freedom of Information Act Guidelines
- FOIA.gov, DOJ's government-wide FOIA request portal
- National Archives and Records Administration General Records Schedule 4.2: Information Access and Protection Records
- Section508.gov, Making Electronic and Information Technology Accessible to People with Disabilities
The 2007 FOIA amendments created the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) to offer mediation services to resolve disputes between FOIA requesters and Federal agencies as a non-exclusive alternative to litigation. Using OGIS services does not affect your right to pursue litigation. You may contact OGIS in any of the following ways:
Office of Government Information Services
National Archives and Records Administration
8601 Adelphi Road - OGIS
College Park, MD 20740-6001
E-mail: ogis@nara.gov
Web: https://www.archives.gov/ogis
Telephone: 202-741-5770
Fax: 202-741-5769
Toll-free: 1-877-684-6448
Disclaimer: To the extent that anything included on the DOI FOIA website may be or could be construed as inconsistent with the law or DOI's regulations, the law and regulations will control DOI's responsibilities under the FOIA.