The Freedom of Information Act allows any requester to get as FOIA case logs.

Below, you will find a list of all FOIA requests and Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) requests made by the public to various agencies.

These are very useful to see who is requesting what and can be very useful for ideas!

FOIA Case Log Memorandums

• DoD Memorandum on FOIA Case Logs (10 July 2008)

Declassified Case Logs

U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2010-2011 [2 Pages, 1.5MB]
2. 2016 [2 Pages, 1.5MB]

Air Combat Command (ACC)

1. 2012 [100 Pages]

Army

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2018 [47 Pages, 2MB]
2.  2016 [7 Pages, 0.6MB]
3.  2013 [1088 Pages, 7.91MB]
4. 2012
5.  2010-2016 MDR Log
6. FY 2008
7. FY 2007OS
8. FY 2006

Army / Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2018 [10 Pages, 3.6MB]
2. 2014 [18 Pages, 1.1MB]
3. 2010-2011 [46 Pages, 8.61MB]
4. FY 2008 [21 Pages, 4.1MB]
5. 2009 [17 Pages, 4.71MB]

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve

1. 2010-2011 [30 Pages, 90kb]

Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG)

FOIA Case Logs

1. FY 2018 [15 Pages, 1.2MB]
2. FY 2016
3. FY 2015
4. FY 2008nat

Oldest Pending FOIA Requests

1. 5 Oldest FOIA Requests and Notes – as of June 2016 [381 Pages, 19.5MB]

Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP)

1.  2013 [6 Pages, 0.3MB]

Bureau of Prisons (BOP)

1. CY 2007-03/28/2013 [976 Pages, 1.72MB] – Unfortunately, this FOIA Case Log did not have the topic of the requests, but is archived here for reference.

Center for Disease Control (CDC)

1. 2010-2013 [170 Pages, 6.5MB]
2. 2009 [66 Pages, 12.8MB]
3. 2008 [71 Pages, 12.4MB]

Central Command (CENTCOM)

1. 2010-2011 [390 Pages, 3.1MB]
2. 2008 [71 Pages, 12.4MB]

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2018 [106 Pages, 48MB]
2.  2017 [87 Pages, 52.2MB]
3.  2016 [81 Pages, 34MB]
4.  2015 [103 Pages, 63.4MB]
5.  2014 [96 Pages, 4.5MB]
6.  2013 [156 Pages, 14.06MB]
7.  2012 [39 Pages, 4.24MB]
8.  2011 [78 Pages, 9.51MB]
9.  1986 [82 Pages, 7.7MB]

Mandatory Declassification Review Logs 

1.  2018 [106 Pages, 48MB]
2.  2017 [12 Pages, 6.8MB]
3.  2013-2015 [32 Pages, 1.2MB]
4.  July – December 2012 [5 Pages, 1.2MB]

Coast Guard (USCG)

1. August 27, 2011 – December 31, 2013 [355 Pages, 2.61MB]

Comptroller of the Currency, Administrator of National Banks

1. 2006 [110 Pages, 15.07mb]

Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2014-2019 [37 Pages, 28MB]
2. 2008-2013 [13 Pages, 2.65MB]

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2016 [1,779 Pages, 4.0MB]

Defense Contract Audit Agency  (DCAA)

1. 2018 [4 Pages, 300KB]
2. 2016 [8 Pages, 150KB]
3. 2015 [8 Pages, 150KB]
4. 2014 [8 Pages, 200KB]
5. 2013 [10 Pages, 130KB]
6. 2012 [9 Pages, 130KB]
7.  2010-2011 [35 Pages, 350KB]

Defense Contract Management Agency  (DCMA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2018 [11 Pages, 0.3MB]
2. 2013 [6 Pages, 176KB]
3.  2012 [13 Pages, 161KB]
4.  2010-2011 [192 Pages, 0.9MB]

Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)

1. 2013 [5 Pages, 0.3MB]
2. 2012 [11 Pages, 0.6MB]
3.  2010-2011 [15 Pages, 1.14MB]

Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [72 Pages, 3.6MB]
2. 2013 [10 Pages, 0.1MB]
3. 2012 [11 Pages, 0.1MB]
4. 2011 [12 Pages, 0.1MB]
5. 2010 [47 Pages, 0.15MB]
6. 2009 [29 Pages, 4.1MB]
7. 2008 [36 Pages, 9.5MB]
8. 2003 – 2007 [118 Pages]

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1. 2013-2015 [2 Pages, 0.7MB]

Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2018 [57 Pages, 1MB]
2.  2017 (Fiscal Year) [87 Pages, 2.3MB]
3.  2017 (Calendar Year of FOIA, MDR and Appeals Log) [159 Pages, 2.3MB]
4.  2014-2016 [209 Pages, 52.7 MB]
5.  2013 [39 Pages, 5.9 MB]
6.  2012 [32 Pages, 5.40 MB]
7.  2010-2011 [74 Pages, 12.2 MB]
8. 2009 – 5 Oldest FOIA Requests [117 Pages, 11.8MB] – This FOIA request for a copy of the top 5 OLDEST FOIA Requests, took nearly 8 years to process.
9. 2001-2009 [299 Pages, 91.67 MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1.  2017 (Calendar Year of FOIA, MDR and Appeals Log) [159 Pages, 2.3MB]
2.  2014-2015 [7 Pages, 1.9 MB]

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1.  2017 (Calendar Year of FOIA, MDR and Appeals Log) [159 Pages, 2.3MB]
2.  2013-2015 [53 Pages, 5MB]

Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)

1. 2016 [226 Pages, 1.1 MB]
2. 2014 [287 Pages, 1.31 MB]
3. 2013 [492 Pages, 1.31 MB]
4.  2012 [392 Pages, 78.5 MB]
5. 2010 – 2011 [21 Pages, 3 MB]

Defense Security Service (DSS)

1.  2014 [37 Pages,0.3 MB]
2.  2013 [23 Pages, 2.24 MB]

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2018 [3 Pages, 1MB]
2.  2007 – 2017 [11 Pages, 2MB]
3.  2001 – 2006 [10 Pages, 1MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1.  Appeal Log, 01/01/2009 – 10/31/2016 [5 Pages, 3.4MB]

Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC)

1.  2017 [11 Pages, 0.5MB]
2. 2016 [.xlsx File, 22kb]
3. 2013 [.xlsx File, 22kb]
4.  2012 [5 Pages, 2.2MB]
5.  2011 [3 Pages, 20kb]
6.  2010 [3 Pages, 30kb]

Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2017 [17 Pages, 5.5MB]
2.  2016 [14 Pages, 3.7MB]
3.  2013 [CSV File, 0.1MB]
4.  2012 [6 Pages, 0.6MB]

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1.  2017 [17 Pages, 5.5MB]
2. 2013-2015 [29 Pages, 0.7MB]

Department of Agriculture (USDA)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  CY 2016 [25 Pages, 3.5MB]
2.  FY 2013 [67 Pages, 0.7MB]
3.  FY 2009
4. FY 2008 [172 Pages, 0.9MB]
5. FY 2006-2007 [31 Pages, 18MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1.  FOIA Appeals Log, 01/01/2009-11/10/2016 [7 Pages, 0.5MB]

Department of Agriculture (USDA) / Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

1.  FOIA Appeals Log, 01/01/2009-10/31/2016 [4 Pages, 0.5MB]

Department of the Air Force (USAF)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2015 [74 Pages, 0.6MB]
2. 2008 [4 Pages, 450k]
3. February 1999 [100 Pages]

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1. 2016 [29 Pages, 0.7MB]
2. 2013-2015 [29 Pages, 0.7MB]

Department of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2018 [29 Pages, 8.1MB]
2. 2008 [24 Pages, 4.11MB]

Department of the Air Force Retirement Home (AFRH)

1.  2010-2012 [5 Pages, 4.11mb]

Department of Commerce

FOIA Case Logs

1. FY 2013 [42 Pages, 0.7MB]
2. 2010-2011 [32 Pages, 9.3MB]
3. 2011 – September 2012 [51 Pages, 12.5MB]

Department of Commerce / Office of the Inspector General

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2010-2011 [12 Pages, 2.1MB]

Department of Commerce – International Trade Administration

1.  7/1/2010 – 9/30/2010 [21 Pages, 1.7MB]

Department of Defense (DOD) / Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS)

1. 5 Oldest FOIA Requests, as of February of 2014 [11 Pages, 1.5MB]
2. FY 2012 [73 Pages, 872k]
3. FY 2011 [115 Pages, 0.6mb]
4. FY 2010 [99 Pages, 2.0mb]
5. FY 2009 [236 Pages, 2.3mb]
6. FY 2008 [172 Pages, 922k]
7. FY 2007 [158 Pages, 3.36mb]
8. FY 2006 [148 Pages, 977k]
9. FY 2005 [112 pages, 2.07mb]
10. FY 2004 [146 Pages, 469k]
11. FY 2003 [136 Pages, 449k]
12. FY 2002 [108 Pages, 364k]
13. FY 2001 [109 Pages, 374k]
14. FY 2000 [57 Pages, 228k]

Department of Defense / Inspector General (DoD/IG)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [43 Pages, 1.2MB]
2. 2012-2015 [147 Pages, 8.2MB]
3. 2010-2011 [112 Pages, 0.55MB]

FOIA Appeals Logs

1. 2012-2015  [11 Pages, 0.7MB]

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1. MDR Log of all DOD/IG MDR cases through November 9, 2016 [4 Pages, 0.6MB]

Department of Education

1.  5 Oldest FOIA Requests and Appeals (as of December 2016) [113 Pages, 15.5MB]

Department of Energy (DOE)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [153 Pages, 3.4MB]
2. 2013 [112 Pages, 1.22MB]
3.  2010 [101 Pages, 13.71MB]
4.  2009 [112 Pages, 922k]

FOIA Appeals Logs

1. Appeal Log, 01/01/2009-11/1/2016 [12 Pages, 0.6MB]

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2004-2018 (.ZIP file of .PDF Files) [115MB]
2. 10 oldest Requests – a/o January 2020 [47 Pages, 10MB]

FOIA Appeals Logs

CY2018 [22 Pages, 10MB]

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2014-2016 (.ZIP file of Excel Spreadsheets) [10.1MB]

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Office of the Inspector General (OIG)

1. FY2010-2011 [198 Pages, 1.53mb]
2. 2009 (October – December) [32 Pages, 0.2mb]
3. FY 2009 [115 Pages, 2.6mb]
4. 2008 [18 Pages, 8.57mb]
5. FY 2007 (07-23-2007 through 11-30-2007) [47 Pages, 160kb]
6. FY 2007 (10-02-2006 through 07-23-2007) [47 Pages, 160kb]
7. FY 2006 (10-03-2005 through 09-26-2006) [47 Pages, 160kb]

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Science and Technology Directorate (S&T)

1. 2011-2016 [36 Pages, 0.9MB]

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

1.  2016 [505 Pages, 98.6MB]
2.  2009-2010 [409 Pages, 43.7MB]
3.  2008 [175 Pages, 22.5MB]

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) / Office of the Inspector General

1.  October 2010 – May 2016 [114 Pages, 23.2MB]

Department of State 

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2013-2014 [857 Pages, 9.9MB]
2.  2005-2013 [2,538 Pages, 49.2MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1.  2014-2015 [30 Pages, 3.3MB]

Department of State / Office of the Inspector General (STATE/OIG)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2010-2016 [24 Pages, 1.2MB]

Department of the Interior (DOI)

1. 2016 [154 Pages, 10.7MB]
2. 2012 [19 Pages, 3.32MB]
3. 2010-2011 [19 Pages, 352kb]
4. 2007-2009 [19 Pages, 3.0MB]

Department of the Interior / Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (DOI/BOEM)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [12 Pages, 0.6MB]

Department of the Interior / Bureau of Indian Affairs (DOI/BIA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [154 Pages, 8.5KB]

Department of the Interior / Fish & Wildlife Service (DOI/FWS)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [136 Pages, 1.7MB]

Department of the Interior / Inspector General (DOI/IG)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2018 [47 Pages, 2MB]
2. 2016 [19 Pages, 0.7MB]
3. 2013 [8 Pages, 260KB]

Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary (DOI/OS)

FOIA Case Logs

1. FY2007-2016 [376 Pages, 1.2MB]

Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey (DOI/USGS)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2016 [0.1 MB]

Department of the Justice / Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [127 Pages, 1.3MB]

Department of the Justice / Office of Information Policy (DOJ/OIP)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2010-2012 [250 Pages, 5.88MB]

Department of Justice / Executive Office for United States Attorneys (DOJ/EOUSA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2017-2020 [1,442 Pages, 102MB]

Department of Justice / Office of Legal Counsel (DOJ/OLC)

1. 01/01/2006-03/24/2016 [140 Pages, 9.9MB]

Office of Labor (DOL)

1.  2016 [388 Pages, 7.2MB]

Department of the Navy 

1.  CY 2017 [220 Pages, 9.5MB]
2.  FY 2013 [129 Pages, 0.5MB]
3.  2012 [275 Pages, 2.6MB]

Department of the Navy / Marine Corps

1. 2016 [125 Pages, 5.5MB]
2. 2013 [81 Pages, 1.7MB]
3.  2012 [31 Pages, 412kb]
4. 2010-2011 [58 Pages, 412kb]

Department of Transportation (DOT)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2007-2012 [165 Pages, 1.2MB]

Mandatory Declassification Review Logs

1. 2013-2015 [1 Page, 0.7MB] – No MDR’s during these dates.

Department of Transportation (DOT) / Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [94 Pages, 1.2MB]

Department of Transportation / Office of the Inspector General

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [9 Pages, 0.5MB]

Department of Transportation / Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2014-2016 [31 Pages, 0.9MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. Appeal Log, 01/01/2009-10/31/2016 [1 Page, 0.5MB]

Department of the Treasury 

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2007-2016 [585 Pages, 5.8MB]

Department of the Treasury, Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [15 Pages, 2.5MB]
2. 2013 [16 Pages, 3.85MB]
3.  2012 [16 Pages, 3.85MB]
4. 2009 [47 Pages, 9.3MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. 2000-2016 [34 Pages, 4.9MB]

Department of the Treasury, United States Mint

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [9 Pages, 2.4MB]
2. 2012 [16 Pages, 3.5MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. 2009-2016 [1 Page, 0.6MB]

Dugway Proving Ground (DPG)

1. 2010-2015 [7 Pages, 1.51MB] – This is how the document was received. Can the font get ANY smaller? (The PDF is zoomable)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. EPA Claims on January 25, 2017, they no longer generate FOIA Case Logs, and they need to be generated at FOIAOnline.

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1. Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Procedure [2 Pages, 0.4MB]
2. 2014-2015 [5 Pages, 0.5MB]

European Command  (EUCOM)

1. 2013 [11 Pages, 1.63MB]
2.  2010-2011 [5 Pages, 2.73MB]- Document was in poor condition. Is readable, but needs to be zoomed in. This is the state they sent it to me electronically.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

1. 2009 [24 Pages, 10.46MB]

Executive Office of the President – Council on Environmental Quality (EOP/CEQ)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2013-2016 [21 Pages, 1.5MB]

Executive Office of the President – Office of National Drug Control Policy

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. 2009-2016 [3 Pages, 0.5MB]

Executive Office of the President – Office of Science and Technology Policy (EOP/OSTP)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2013 [9 Pages, 1.39MB]
2.  2010-2011 [13 Pages, 1.6MB]
3.  2009 [8 Pages, 1.5MB]

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2013 [178 Pages, 1.3MB]

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2018 [336 Pages, 110MB]
2. 2017 [585 Pages, 25MB]
3. 2016 [1,093 Pages, 242MB]
4. 2014 [775 Pages, 59.2MB]
5. 2013 [683 Pages, 176MB]
6. 2010-2011 [830 Pages, 127MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. 2018 [11Pages, 3.3MB]
2. 2017 – FOIA Appeals Log [9 Pages, 4.2MB]
3. 2014-2015 – FOIA Appeals Log [20 Pages, 13.7MB]

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1. 2018 [4 Pages, 2.2MB]
2. 2017 [2 Pages, 2MB]
3. 2013-2015 [6 Pages, 2MB]

Oldest FOIA Cases

1. 5 Oldest FOIA Requests/Appeals a/o 7/21/2015 [21 Pages, 8.2 MB]

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

1. 2013 [86 Pages, 0.6MB]
2.  2012 [83 Pages, 6.74MB]
3.  2010-2011 [174 Pages, 16.2MB]
4.  2009 [94 Pages, 2.5MB]

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

1. 10 Oldest FOIA Cases with Processing Notes, a/o August, 2018 [774 Pages, 87.1MB]
2. 10 Oldest FOIA Cases with Processing Notes, a/o June 24, 2016 [624 Pages, 81.7MB]

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2012-2016 [636 Pages, 61.4MB]
2. 2011 [27 Pages, 0.3MB]
3. 2010 [130 Pages, 1.1MB]
4. 2008 [76 Pages, 1.2MB]

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2018 [20 Pages, 4MB]
2. 2015 [20 Pages, 1.0MB]

Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2006 [9 Pages, 2.1MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. Appeal Log, 2009-10/3/2016 [19 Pages, 0.6MB]

Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2009-2016 [54 Pages, 2.1MB]

Federal Reserve Board (FRB)

1.  2014 [52 Pages, 0.6MB]

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

1.  2013-2015 [26 Pages, 2.4MB]
2.  2010-2012 [53 Pages, 0.3MB]

Government Accountability Office (GAO)

1.  2010-2013 [35 Pages, 0.9MB]

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

1.  2010-2016 [42 Pages, 0.9MB]

Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2010-2016 [43 Page, 12.2MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1.  2009-2016 [1 Page, 0.4MB]

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2017 [357 Pages, 1.7MB]
2.  2016 [476 Pages, 2.0MB]
3.  2010-2015 [2,118 Pages, 6.2MB]

Joint Personnel Recovery Agency (JPRA)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2016 [5 Pages, 0.7MB]

Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)

1.  2012-2016 [14 Pages, 0.6MB]

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  FY 2017 [48 Pages, 21.2MB] (Includes MDR Log and Appeals Log)
2.  FY 2016 [20 Pages, 0.9MB]
3.  FY 2015 [31 Pages, 13.9MB]
4.  FY 2014 [22 Pages, 0.6MB]
5.  FY 2013 [33 Pages, 13.44MB]
6.  FY 2012 [38 Pages, 15.7MB]
7. FY 2010-2011 [140 Pages, 29 MB]
8. FY 2009 [11 Pages, 650KB]
9. FY 2008 [45 Pages, 6.14MB]
10. FY 2007 [41 Pages, 5.39MB]
11. FY 2006 [42 Pages, 5.9MB]

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) / Glenn Research Center (GRC)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2009 [9 Pages, 1.5MB]

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) / Office of the Inspector General (OIG)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2018 [6 Pages, 2.5MB]

National Air & Space Intelligence Center (NASIC)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2015-2021 [24 Pages, 16.3MB]

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2012 [13 Pages, 124KB]
2. 2010-2011 [25 Pages, 243KB]
3. 10/1/2008 – 03/19/2010 [143 Pages, 17MB]

MDR Case Logs

1. 10/07/2008 – 06/10/2010 [14 Pages, 1.5MB]

National Credit Union Administration(NCUA)

1.  APPEAL Log – 2009-10/2016 [3 Pages, 0.2MB]

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)

1.  FY 2013 [3 Pages, 0.2MB]
2.  2009 [7 Pages, 0.2MB]
3. 2006-2008 [7 Pages, 0.2MB]

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2016 [15 Pages, 4.5MB]

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1.  All Dates through November 2016 – MDR Log [20 Pages, 1.1MB]

National Guard Bureau

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2016 [8 Pages, 2.5MB]

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2005-2016 [1,124 Pages, 29.7MB]

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

1. 2013 [6 Pages, 1.4MB]
2. 2012 [6 Pages, 1.4MB]
3. 2011 [14 Pages, 1.9MB]
4. 2010 [12 Pages, 2.5MB]
5.  2009 [4 Pages, 0.2MB]

National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

1.  2013 [27 Pages, 0.2MB]

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

1. 2010-2011 [21 Pages, 1.2MB]
2. 2009 [25 Pages, 0.2MB]
3. 2008 [23 Pages, 8.11MB]
4. 2006 and 2007 Weekly Reports [144 Pages, 18.26mb]

National Park Service (NPS)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2014-2016 [195 Pages, 1.5MB]
2. 2009-2013 [34 Pages, 6.38MB]
3.  2008 [34 Pages, 6MB]

National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2018 [4 Pages, 8MB]
2. 2016 [13 Pages, 2.1MB]
3. 2013 [3 Pages, 1.55MB]
4.  2010-2011 [13 Pages, 1.2MB]
5.  2009 [28 Pages, 2.5MB]
6. 5 Oldest FOIA Requests, as of June 2009 [130 Pages, 2.97MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. 2018 [1 Page, 0.2MB]
2. 2014-2015 [2 Pages, 1MB]

Mandatory Declassification Review Logs

1. 2018 [1 Page, 1.0MB] – Requires zooming! Yes, that is how small they sent it to me.
2. 2013-2015 [3 Pages, 1.0MB] – Requires zooming! Yes, that is how small they sent it to me.
3. 2000-2012 [7 Pages, 8.2MB]

FOIA Internal Status Reports

1. 2015-2016 [115 Pages, 6.9MB]

National Security Agency (NSA)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  CY 2018 [170 Pages, 74.8MB]
2.  CY 2016 [100 Pages, 17.2MB]
3.  CY 2014 [232 Pages, 8.9MB]
4.  CY 2013 [315 Pages, 8.1MB]
5.  CY 2012 [60 Pages, 8.5MB]
6.  CY 2009 [70 Pages, 40MB]
7. January 1 – January 30, 1998 [3 Pages, 500k]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1.  CY 2014-2015 [60 Pages, 6.9MB]

Oldest FOIA Requests

1.  Filed for 5 Oldest FOIA Requests 27 August 2009 [495 Pages, 67.6MB] – This request took nearly 8 years to get a response and has requests going back to 1994 as still being processed!

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1.  CY 2013-2015 [32 Pages, 4.2MB]

National Telecommunications & Information Administration

1.  2010-2011 [40 Pages, 6.5MB]

Naval Safety Center

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2019-2020 [92 Pages, 2.86MB] (Combined FOIA and Appeal Logs)

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. 2019-2020 [92 Pages, 2.86MB] (Combined FOIA and Appeal Logs)

Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2013 [38 Pages, 3MB]
2. 2012 [21 Pages, 2.86MB]
3. 2010-2011 [42 Pages, 5.2MB]
4. 2009 [20 Pages, 5.59MB]

New York State Office of the Attorney General (NYSO/AG)

1. 2015-2016 [284 Pages, 63.9MB]

Northern Command (NORTHCOM)

1.  FY 2016 [18 Pages, 12.8MB]
2. FY 2013 [8 Pages, 0.3MB]
3.  FY2012 [8 Pages, 1.9MB]
4.  FY2010-2011 [9 Pages, 0.5MB]

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

1. 02/2016-12/2016 [120 Pages, 3.4MB]
2. 2012 [26 Pages, 5.67MB]
3. 2009 [16 Pages, 0.2MB]
4. FY 2006 [53 Pages, 4.71MB]

Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2018 [42 Pages, 11MB]
2. 2013 [27 Pages, 1.51MB]
3.  2012 [27 Pages, 9.45MB]
4. 2010-2011 [47 Pages, 2.21MB]
5. 2008 [21 Pages, 439k]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. 2018 [42 Pages, 11MB]
2. 2014-2015 –  [7 Pages, 1.5MB]
3. 2000-2013 [13 Pages, 1.9MB]

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1. 01/01/2021 – 10/15/2021 [4 Pages, 0.6MB]
2. 2018 [42 Pages, 11MB]

Office of Government Ethics (OGE)

1. 2010-2015 – FOIA Logs and Appeal Logs [67 Pages, 3.3MB]
2. 2013 [16 Pages, 2.69MB]
3. 2012 [15 Pages, 0.9MB]
4. 2010-2011 [18 Pages, 1.7MB]
5. 2009 [10 Pages, 1.7MB]
6.  FY 2006 – 2008 [14 Pages, 2.38MB]

Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI)

1.  2010-2012 [12 Pages, 1.04MB]

Office of Nuclear and National Security Information (ONNSI)

1. Weekly Report from January – October 2001 [245 Pages, 22.17MB]

Office of Special Counsel (OSC)

1. FY2016 [6 Pages, 0.8MB]
2. Appeal Log, FY2006-FY2016 [1 Page, 0.9MB]
3.  FOIA Backlog Reduction Goals, 2016-2017 [4 Pages, 1.4MB]
4. FOIA Case Logs, FY2008-2015 [43 Pages, 1.6MB]

Office of the Secretary of Defense and Joint Staff (OSD/JS)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2017 [146 Pages, 1.9MB]
2. 2016 [275 Pages, 1.7MB]
3. 2014-2015 [332 Pages, 2.7MB]
4. 2009 – 2013 [629 Pages, 3.34MB]
5.  2000 – 2008 [1,146 Pages, 5.5MB]

FOIA Internal Status Reports

1. 2015-2016 [475 Pages, 49.6MB] – PDF Has bookmarks of the three attachments that were received for this FOIA. I combined them for ease of downloading/reading.

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1.  CY 2016-2017 [163 Pages, 4MB]
2.  CY 2013-2015 [624 Pages, 5.1MB]

Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. 2011-2016 [2 Pages, 2.7MB]

Offutt Air Force Base (SAC HQ)

1. 2013 [5 Pages, 2.21MB]
2.  2009 [52 Pages, 0.3MB]

Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)

1. 2014-2015 [25 Pages, 0.6MB]
2. 2013 [8 Pages, 0.3MB]
3.  2012 [45 Pages, 0.5MB]
4. 2010 – 2011 [45 Pages, 0.5MB]
5. 2008-2009 [19 Pages, 0.3MB]

Pacific Command (PACOM)

1. MDR Log, a/o November 2016 [3 Pages, 0.7MB]
2. 2013 [5 Pages, 0.7MB]
3. 2012 [8 Pages, 6.94MB]

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2008-2016 [433 Pages, 142.5MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. 2013-2016 [433 Pages, 142.5MB] – This is the same file above, but the last page holds the “Appeals” log.

Peterson Air Force Base

1. 2013 [6 Pages, 0.3mb]

Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB)

1. 2010-2016 [3 Pages, 0.9MB]

RAF Lakenheath

1. January 1, 2007 – November 26, 2008 [3 Pages, 261k]

Redstone Aresenal, Alabama (Army)

1. 2013 [2 Pages, 2.7MB]
2.  2010-2011 [29 Pages, 2.7MB]
3. 2008 [8 Pages, 400k]

Selective Service Systems (SSS)

1.  2008-2012 [11 Pages, 0.3MB]

Social Security Administration (SSA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [1,018 Pages, 5.3MB]
2. 2009-2011 [2,416 Pages, 3.5MB]

Special Operations Command (SOCOM)

1.  2014 [16 Pages, 1.2MB]
2.  2013 [5 Pages, 0.6MB]
3.  2012 – Open Cases [84 Pages, 0.3MB]
4.  2012 – Closed Cases [128 Pages, 0.3MB]

Security Exchange Commission (SEC)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2013 [CSV File, 1.75MB]
2. 2012 [151 Pages, 0.7MB]
3.  2011 [CSV File, 1.61MB]
4.  2010 [CSV File, 1.68MB]
5. 2009 [198 Pages, 2.7mb]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. FY 2009-2015 [48 Pages, 1.7MB]

Small Business Administration (SBA)

1.  2016 [26 Pages, 1.2MB]

Transportation Command (TRANSCOM)

1. 2016 [16 Pages, 0.5MB]
2. 2013 [8 Pages, 0.5MB]
3. 2012 [8 Pages, 6.94MB]

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

1. 3 Oldest Open Requests with Processing Notes, a/o July 2016 [58 Pages, 4.2MB]

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

FOIA Case Logs

1. FY 2012 – 1Q of 2016 [166 Pages, 1.2MB]

MDR Case Logs

1. 2010-2016 [5 Pages, 0.6MB]

United States Census Bureau

1. 10/1/2011 – 08/01/2012 [17 Pages, 3.5MB]
2. 2010-2011 [57 Pages, 6.8MB]

United States Patent and Trade Office (USPTO)

1. 1/1/2011 – 08/01/2012 [27 Pages, 5MB]
2. 2010-2011 [33 Pages, 4.7MB]

United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2010-2016 [85 Pages, 24.1MB]

United States Postal Service (USPS)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2010-2016 [1,120 Pages, 112MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. 2010-2016 [85 Pages, 9.9MB]

United States Postal Service / Inspector General (USPS/IG)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2013-2015 [79 Pages, 15.3MB]
2.  2013 [.XLSX file, 43kb]
3.  2012 [14 Pages, 5.24MB]
4. 2010-2011 [13 Pages, 1.1MB]
5. 2009 [25 Pages, 6.5MB]

United States Secret Service (USSS)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2018 [8 Pages, 0.6MB]
2.  2000-2015 [475 Pages, 218.8MB] – Note: LARGE File – recommended you right click and press “Save As…” to save it to your hard drive.

United States Strategic Command (STRATCOM)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  FY2013-2014 [8 Pages, 1.1MB]
2. 2009 [19 Pages, 4.7MB]
3. 2006-2008 [19 Pages, 4.7MB]

Vandenberg Air Force Base

1. FY 2007 [7 Pages, 633k]

Veterans Affairs / Office of the Inspector General (VA/OIG)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [15 Pages, 5.2MB]

The post FOIA & MDR Case Logs first appeared on The Black Vault.

Document Archive

NRO Information Review and Release Group (IRRG) Logs (Monday Weekly Emails) for 2022 [42 Pages, 8.4MB]

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The post NRO Information Review and Release Group (IRRG) Logs (Monday Weekly Emails) first appeared on The Black Vault.

The below documents were discovered after searching emails for the following keywords: “The Black Vault”, “John Greenewald” etc. The reasoning at that was fairly simple, but I did not expect the discovery that was made.

I received quite a few documents responsive to my request, however, the below stuck out. Internally, the IRS will file Sensitive Case Reports (SCRs) when requests come in from certain individuals or organizations that are like to attract media or Congressional attention, or if they consider them a unique of “novel” issue.

I was amazed to find myself at the top of the short list (albeit, it is alphabetical).

Also in the batch of records, were the SCR guidelines on how those requests are handled, and why certain people or organizations deserve to be on the list.

First, the official IRS list of requesters and organizations that are on the list:

Sensitive Case Reports Archive

 IRS Sensitive Case Reports, October 1, 2016 – March 10, 2017 [98 Pages, 1.8MB]

 IRS Sensitive Case FOIA Requests, October 1, 2016 – March 10, 2017 [432 Pages, 132.3MB]

 IRS Sensitive Case Reports, January 1, 2020 – circa April 2022 [969 Pages, 260MB]

Guidelines for PGLD Sensitive Case Reports (January, 2016)

The following is taken directly from the  Guidelines for PGLD Sensitive Case Reports (January, 2016):

1. Process for reporting

The case worker should prepare a Sensitive Case Report (SCR) within 5 days of case assignment. Disclosure Managers (DM) can also make an SCR determination. Input “SCR” in the Subject Line within the case in AFOIA as soon as possible, even if in advance of finalization of the SCR. Follow the approval path established by your Area to elevate the SCR to Area leadership: caseworker to DM; DM to Area Technical Advisor (TA); TA to both Area Deputies. Area leadership will approve/reject the SCR and ensure reconciliation with the Bi-Weekly SCR prepared for Directors PGLD and GLDS.

2. Format for reporting

Use the most recent PGLD Sensitive Case Report form.

Complete the SCR as stated below:

• Requester Name: Enter the name of the individual making the request and their association. Example: J. Smith, Reporter USA Today, or J. Smith IRS Territory Mgr. If the requester does not have an association, and then enter “(Self)”.
• Case Number: Enter AFOIA case number.
• Sensitive Case Criteria: Check applicable box. Additional information will be included in the Case Summary. See Criteria for initiating an SCR below.
• Disclosure Received Date: Enter the date the request was received in Disclosure. Where there is a substantial difference between this date and the date when the report is completed, please provide an explanation for the delay in the Case Summary section of the report.
• Due Date: Enter the original due date
• Case Summary: Enter a brief description of the issue(s) in the case (do not include an entire history sheet of the case). Do not use abbreviations and consider the audience. Do not include names unless the specific names are part of what makes the request sensitive. Be succinct.
• Action Plan: Enter a brief explanation of the recent activity and a plan of action. (Do not include an entire history sheet of the case.)
• Submitted By: Enter caseworker Name
• Date: Enter date SCR completed

Remember, a SCR should be a summary of a case and case activity. The report should be no longer than 1(one) page. Upload the completed SCR to the Research Folder in AFOIA.

3. Criteria for initiating an SCR

Employees should exercise good judgment in determining whether a SCR should be prepared. SCRs are used to notify top management of FOIA requests and actions being taken that are sensitive in nature prior to hearing about them externally. The report template breaks the criteria down to two categories as follows:

a) Likely to attract media or Congressional attention

Does the case involve a taxpayer with a recognizable name, such as a politician, an entertainer, or a professional athlete and the actions on the case may be publicized or result in a contact to the PGLD Director or higher? Could IRS actions in the case attract attention because of the nature of the taxpayer’s business? Could the taxpayer’s actions, such as contacting a Member of Congress draw attention to the case?

Is the request for information related to, or from, any member or committee of Congress? Is the request from a major news media outlet? Is the request from or concerning persons, entities, issues or programs that might generate media attention?

b) Unique or novel issue

Is the case novel or unusual in some way? Does the case fall outside of the other criteria, but is worth elevating for some reason? A case under these criteria should be accompanied by a brief explanation of why it is unique. Provide this explanation in the Case Summary section of the SCR report.
Is the request for information that may have national political implications, usually from organizations known to have national political influence or represent major political parties? Is the request for information about an IRS or Chief Counsel executive, other than the PIL or Oath of Office? For example: a request for copies of the Commissioner’s Travel Vouchers. Is the request from NTEU (or other national union, such as AFGE) for information on a national policy or program?

SCR Template

 25 – PGLD SCR Template (Jan 2016)

Origin

Along with other document, I was able to get the email chain regarding the creation of the SCR list.  You will find the more important parts of the exchanges below:

The attachment included on this email was the above mentioned list.

The post Sensitive Case Reports (SCRs) Regarding FOIA Requests at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) first appeared on The Black Vault.

Document Archive

Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) FOIA Backlog Reduction Documents, Released June 2021 [77 Pages, 2.3MB]

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The post Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) FOIA Backlog Reduction Documents, Released June 2021 first appeared on The Black Vault.

Below are FOIA status reports, published internally, for the years 2015-2016.

Document Archive

Defense Intelligence Agency FOIA Status Reports, 2014-2015 [293 Pages, 18MB]

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The post Defense Intelligence Agency FOIA Status Reports, 2014-2015 first appeared on The Black Vault.

On March 15, 2022, the Department of Justice published the following:

To mark the start of Sunshine Week, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland issued comprehensive new Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) guidelines today that strengthen the federal government’s commitments to transparency in government operations and the fair and effective administration of FOIA.

The Attorney General’s guidelines, which were announced in a memorandum (see below), direct the heads of all executive branch departments and agencies to apply a presumption of openness in administering the FOIA and make clear that the Justice Department will not defend nondisclosure decisions that fail to do so. The guidelines also emphasize that the proactive disclosure of information is fundamental to the faithful application of the FOIA and note the Justice Department’s efforts to encourage proactive agency disclosures, including by providing more specific criteria regarding how relevant metrics should be reported in agency Annual FOIA Reports, as the Government Accountability Office recommended.

“At the Justice Department, and across government, our success depends upon the trust of the people we serve. That trust must be earned every day,” said Attorney General Garland. “For more than fifty years, the Freedom of Information Act has been a vital tool for advancing the principles of open government and democratic accountability that are at the heart of who we are as public servants. Together with our partners across the federal government, the Justice Department will work every day to uphold those principles, which are essential to the rule of law.”

In addition, the Attorney General’s FOIA guidelines direct federal departments and agencies to continue efforts to remove barriers to requesting and accessing government records and to reduce FOIA processing backlogs. The guidelines note, for example, that the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review is changing a policy under which it had long required individuals to file FOIA requests to obtain official copies of their own records of immigration court proceedings. The Attorney General encouraged all agencies to examine whether they have similar or other categories of records that they could make more readily accessible without requiring individuals to file FOIA requests.

“The Attorney General’s new FOIA guidelines underscore the Justice Department’s commitment to government that is open, transparent and accountable to the people we serve,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta, who also serves as the Department’s Chief FOIA Officer. “The Office of Information Policy looks forward to working with agencies to ensure the presumption of openness is applied across the government.”

The Attorney General’s guidelines highlight the key role played by agency Chief FOIA Officers who report each year to the Department of Justice on their progress in improving FOIA administration and also direct agencies to training and guidance documents issued by the Justice Department’s Office of Information Policy designed to help ensure proper training and compliance with FOIA across the federal government. For more information visit www.justice.gov/oip.

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The post Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Issues New FOIA Guidelines to Favor Disclosure and Transparency first appeared on The Black Vault.

There were three videos released, which outline procedural requirements, along with FOIA Exemptions 4, 5 & 6. They are displayed below in what appears to be chronological orders of the training day.

They were recorded circa 2020 on an unknown date.

Video Archive

The post Federal Highway Administration / Department of Justice Full-Day FOIA Training first appeared on The Black Vault.

According to the “Risk and Opportunity Assessment Report” for FYs 2014 and 2015,
DON’s Freedom of Information and Privacy Act Programs were identified by DNS as a
medium-risk area in FY 2014 and a high-risk area in FY 2015. Since the implementation
of FOIAonline, Navy commands have raised concerns regarding the completeness and
accuracy of FOIAonline data. This audit was requested by DNS.

Document Archive

United States Navy’s Freedom of Information Act Reporting Process, Navy Audit Service, 11 April 2017 [52 Pages, 2.5MB]

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The post United States Navy’s Freedom of Information Act Reporting Process, Navy Audit Service, 11 April 2017 first appeared on The Black Vault.

Below, you will find e-mails on two officials; Christopher Grundler, Director of the Office of Transportation and Air Quality and Justin Greuel, Manager, Diesel Engine Compliance Center, Compliance Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality.

These FOIA requests, which were responded in one batch, requested emails with the keyword “FOIA” for the dates of September 1, 2015 – March 1, 2016.

Document Archive

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) E-Mails on “FOIA”, Christopher Grundler, Director of the Office of Transportation and Air Quality and Justin Greuel, Manager, Diesel Engine Compliance Center, Compliance Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, September 1, 2015 – March 1, 2016 [1,824 Pages, 59.8MB]

The post Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) E-Mails on “FOIA” first appeared on The Black Vault.

These SF-135 are document transmittal slips, created when information is transferred from one agency to a federal records center.

Rebecca Collier from HistoryHub, explains:

“A SF-135 is a ‘Records Transmittal and Receipt’ used by a Federal Agency when the records are deposited in a Federal Records Center. In Item #6 of the form, agencies must include a detailed folder listing for each box or as an attachment if the records are scheduled for permanent retention. More information about the SF 135 is available at https://www.archives.gov/frc/forms/sf-135-intro. A listing of documents in a folder is considered item level description. Agencies are not required to provide information at the item level for textual records.

After a stated time period (usually 25-30 years), the permanent records are transferred to the legal custody of the National Archives. Copies of the SF 135 are transferred with the records. Until the records are processed, the SF 135 folder listing may be the only finding aid the Reference units have to use to assist a researcher.”

Below you will find records obtained from the National Air & Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), which are SF-135 forms. This is some great “FOIA Fodder” for researchers seeking documents that may not have ever seen the light of day before, all on numerous topics.

Document Archive

SF-135 Document Transfer Forms, National Air & Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), released March 2010 [118 Pages, 42MB]

The post SF-135 Document Transfer Forms, National Air & Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) first appeared on The Black Vault.

In December of 2016, I requested all granted FOIA fee waivers for requests sent in to the FBI, for FY’s 2015 and 2016.

I was sent a response in early 2017, which only offered a list of FOIA case numbers, but not the requested FOIA request letters (showing the topic of the request) and the final response letters for the case.

An appeal was sent, and granted, and after another 3 1/2 years, I began receiving the requested documents. The case is still open, and once more are received, this page will be updated. Below, you will find what has been released thus far.

Document Archive

Granted FOIA Fee Waivers, FBI, 2015-2016 [337 Pages, 37MB]

The post Granted FOIA Fee Waivers, FBI, 2015-2016 first appeared on The Black Vault.

The following agencies have received approval from the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (ISCAP) to exempt specific information from automatic declassification and may receive referrals resulting from automatic declassification reviews. Each agency is only authorized to use the exemptions listed in the respective tables below. In accordance with section 3.3(d)(3) of Executive Order 13526, “Classified National Security Information” (the “Order”), these agencies should not be sent referrals for information that they are not authorized to exempt.

Document Archive

ISOO Notice 2019-01: Agencies Eligible to Receive Referrals from Automatic Declassification at 25, 50, and 75 Years [9 Pages, 1.88MB]

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Additional Reference

To exempt records from automatic declassification, agencies must have the specific authority to extend the duration of classification beyond 25 years in the form of a File Series Exemption and/or an Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (ISCAP) approved declassification guide. Information may be considered for exemption if one or more of the following exemption categories apply:

• 25X1 – reveal the identity of a confidential human source, a human intelligence source, a relationship with an intelligence or security service of a foreign government or international organization, or a non-human intelligence source; or impair the effectiveness of an intelligence method currently in use, available for use, or under development;
• 25X2 – reveal information that would assist in the development, production, or use of weapons of mass destruction;
• 25X3 – reveal information that would impair U.S. cryptologic systems or activities;
• 25X4 – reveal information that would impair the application of state-of-the-art technology within a US weapon system;
• 25X5 – reveal formally named or numbered U.S. military war plans that remain in effect, or reveal operational or tactical elements of prior plans that are contained in such active plans;
• 25X6 – reveal information including foreign government information, that would cause serious harm to relations between the U.S. and a foreign government, or to ongoing diplomatic activities of the U.S;
• 25X7 – reveal information that would impair the current ability of U.S. government officials to protect the President, Vice President, and other protectees for whom protection services, in the interest of national security, are authorized;
• 25X8 – reveal information that would seriously impair current national security emergency preparedness plans or reveal current vulnerabilities of systems, installations, or infrastructures relating to the national security;
• 25X9 – violate a statute, treaty, or international agreement that does not permit the automatic or unilateral declassification of information at 25 years.

The post ISOO Notice 2019-01: Agencies Eligible to Receive Referrals from Automatic Declassification at 25, 50, and 75 Years first appeared on The Black Vault.

The following is the FBI’s Public Access Line (PAL) Procedures, September 21, 2011 Edition, as released by the FBI through the FOIA.

Document Archive

FBI’s Public Access Line (PAL) Procedures, September 21, 2011 Edition [386 Pages, 170MB]

The post FBI’s Public Access Line (PAL) Procedures, September 21, 2011 Edition first appeared on The Black Vault.

Department of Defense FOIA offices are prohibited from responding to “significant” FOIA requests having “departmental level interest” without approval from the Pentagon, according to a policy document obtained by Cause of Action from the DoD’s Inspector General.

 A “significant” request is defined by the policy document as one where, in the judgment of a FOIA office, “the subject matter of the released documents may generate media interest and/or may be of interest or potential interest to DoD senior leadership.”  This can include requests regarding “the current administration (including request for information on Senator Obama) previous administrations, and current or previous DoD leadership.”

The policy document further provides that if a “significant” request generates “departmental level interest,” the DoD FOIA office handling the request must forward its proposed FOIA response and all responsive records for departmental level clearance.  Departmental level clearance is done at the DoD Freedom of Information Policy Office (DFOIPO) which is responsible for the formulation and implementation of FOIA policy guidance for DoD.  The office was created in 2006 after President Bush signed an Executive Order aimed at improving the FOIA process, though the policy document in question was drafted only after President Obama took office.         

(Special thanks to Cause of Action for the above explanation on Significant FOIA requests)

Document Archive

Department of Defense

 Department of Defense Policy on Significant FOIA Requests [ 7 Pages, 0.4MB ] – As of October of 2014, this is the current set of standards and procedures for the DoD, in regards to processing Significant FOIA Requests.

 Department of Defense Department Level Interest List, November 2012 – August 2013 [ 14 Pages, 0.5MB ]

 Department of Defense Key FOIA Activity Reports, November 2012 – August 2013 [ 453 Pages, 69.53MB ]

Defense Intelligence Agency

Significant FOIA’s – 9/1/12 – 8/27/13 [4 Pages, 0.5MB]

The post Significant FOIA Requests – Department Level Interest Lists first appeared on The Black Vault.

I learned that in 2017, there was a presentation about the FOIA, for training purposes, that was given by Jennifer Black at the IRS.

In May of 2018, I filed a FOIA request for all records relating to this presentation, including all training material, emails, etc. that related to the program.

In late April of 2019, the IRS provided the below material.

Document Archive

2017 FOIA Training Presentation by Jennifer Black at the IRS [24 Pages, 7.9MB]

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The post 2017 FOIA Training Presentation by Jennifer Black at the IRS first appeared on The Black Vault.

“The Green Book” is a set of guidelines for agency officials in charge of responding to FOIA requests, specifically about the proper procedures for processing requests for FBI documents or documents from any other agency under the purview of Department of Justice. The Green Book also contains volumes of numbered memos from directors and other officials in the agency’s FOIA department, instructing FOIA officials on how to respond to requests regarding certain procedures the FBI conducts, organizations under surveillance by the agency, and other persons and events of interest.

I first requested this back in June of 2016, and the FBI offered a public Department of Justice (DOJ) guidebook for processing FOIA requests. I knew this was not the document I was looking for. In November of 2015, The Public Record published an article detailing the fact the FBI told them they were unable to find the document, after processing their FOIA request. So, I knew the FBI did not want to let go of this record easily. I filed another request in September of 2016, with more clarity, making sure they knew the previous “responsive document” was not what I was seeking. I did not appeal that original request, but rather filed a new one, since I felt maybe I was not specific enough, so a new FOIA request was warranted over appealing something that may have been a misunderstanding.

It took until September of 2018, for the FBI to release the document. You can now find it below:

Document Archive

 The FBI’s FOIA Processing Manual – aka “The Green Book” [199 Pages, 65.8MB]

The post The FBI’s FOIA Processing Manual – aka “The Green Book” first appeared on The Black Vault.

This document was requested in August of 2017 by The Black Vault. It was then released on January 18, 2018.

The document’s introduction states:

“The Records Management User Manual (RM User Manual) provides a detailed explanation of records management procedures. It is a reference tool designed to supplement the Records Management Policy Implementation Guide (RM PG). Many policies and procedures which were introduced in the RM PG are more fully explained here.

The RM User Manual provides practical guidance for personnel responsible for applying and maintaining proper records management practices to ali records, regardless of medium or format. While the RM User Manual contains links to relevant Sentinel Quick Guides and provides guidance on certain records management issues in relation to Sentinel, it is not a comprehensive guide to Sentinel; nor is it intended to replace the guidance set forth on the Sentinel website.”

Document Archive

 The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Records Management User Manual, May 2015 [71 Pages, 4.2MB]

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The post The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Records Management User Manual, May 2015 first appeared on The Black Vault.

In November of 2017, I requested the FBI’s “Classification Guidebook”.  This consists of the, “FBI National Security Information Classification Guide” and the, “FBI Automatic Declassification Guide.”

They were released late in December of 2017.

The request is still open pending additional information released, however, I have put up what is available below. You will note that the .pdf document has bookmarks for each guide, as they are together in one file.

Document Archive

 FBI Classification Guidebooks [87 Pages, 46.5MB]

The post FBI Classification Guidebooks first appeared on The Black Vault.

This document represents the current policy of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) for the declassification of all 25-year-old and older NRO information covered by Executive Order (E.O.) 13526. Such declassification is conducted under the NRO Instruction 56-2-3 “25-Year Automatic, Systematic and Mandatory Declassification Review” as approved on 24 February 2014. The Director, National Reconnaissance Office(DNRO) has appointed the Chief of the Information Review and Release Group (C/IRRG) in the Information Management Services Office in the Communications Systems Directorate (IMSO/COMM) as the NRO’s initial 25-Year Release and Denial Authority. The IRRG is responsible for the review, pursuant to a variety of mandatory and discretionary release programs, of 25-year-old NRO information for declassification or continued protection. The need to protect sensitive space intelligence operations and capabilities and to establish policies for the classification, declassification, and release of related information were reaffirmed by the President in National Space Policy, dated 28
June 2010.

This Review and Redaction Guide (RRG) is a living document intended to achieve the spirit of greater public access to government records as envisioned in E.O. 13526. The IRRG incorporates policy changes and necessary clarifications (as vetted by the appropriate equity-holding Directorates and Offices) into the RRG on an ongoing basis, and interprets and applies the RRG’s guidance on behalf of the DNRO. Questions concerning information contained in this guide, or about
updating it, should be addressed to C/IRRG at [[ REDACTED ]].

Document Archive

 National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Review and Redaction Guide for Automatic Declassification of 25-Year Old Information, 2015 Edition [280 Pages, 28.7MB]

The post National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Review and Redaction Guide for Automatic Declassification of 25-Year Old Information, 2015 Edition first appeared on The Black Vault.

According to their website, the mission statement of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is:

“Enforcing the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States of America. Bringing to justice organizations – including those with ties to terrorism – and their principal members, who are involved in the growing, manufacture or distribution of controlled substances. Supporting the diligent efforts of the Special Agents who play an essential and exclusive role in contributing to our nation’s war on drugs and terrorism. Working to dismantle drug trafficking organizations, prosecute drug traffickers and destroy the financial infrastructure of these organizations. As the government’s premier federal drug law enforcement agency, this is the mission and objective of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). A mission like no other.”

Below, you will find the released training material for this agency’s FOIA program, as released in April 2017.

Document Archive

 Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) FOIA Training Material, Released April of 2017 [42 Pages, 8.9MB]

https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/dea/DEA-FOIA-TrainingMaterial.pdf

The post Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) FOIA Training Material, Released April of 2017 first appeared on The Black Vault.

Many years after The Black Vault came into existence, and became known worldwide as an archive to download hundreds of thousands of government documents (including FBI Files), the FBI itself launched a section on their site that housed some FBI Files called, “The Vault.”  Strange coincidence.

On this site, you can download some of the FBI’s most frequently requested records. However, what I have found out, is many times it is not clear that the files being posted are incomplete.

In March of 2017, I filed a FOIA request to see how the FBI determined what they would post in the Vault, and the internal procedures for doing so. Although I did not get exactly what I asked for, I did receive an interesting document on how the FBI processes requests where documents are already in “The Vault.”

Document Archive

 FBI FOIA “VAULT” Request Procedures, Released 2017 [13 Pages, 2.17MB]

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The post FBI FOIA “VAULT” Request Procedures, Released 2017 first appeared on The Black Vault.

Referenced within the U.S. Department of Labor 2011 Chief FOIA Officer Report, located at: https://www.dol.gov/sol/foia/2011ChiefFOIAOfficerRpt.htm, there was a reference to a Internal FOIA Desk Reference Guide.

Seemingly never published publicly before, I requested the record in November of 2016.

In March of 2017 — I received the document, no available for download below.

According to the document’s introduction:

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides that any person has a right, enforceable in court, to obtain access to federal agency records, except to the extent that records or portions of them are protected from public disclosure based upon one of nine exemptions. The FOIA encourages accountability through transparency.

Within the Department of Labor (DOL), day-to-day FOIA operations are largely decentralized. The Chief FOIA Officer and Office of Information Services (OIS) are within DOL’s Office of the Solicitor (SOL) and provide overall guidance and department-level administration of FOIA. However, individual DOL component agencies continue to be responsible for directly answering FOIA requests and providing requesters with documents from their agency. Each agency has the flexibility to design a FOIA program that meets its needs, while adhering to the provisions of the statute and DOL’s implementing FOIA regulations. Most agencies have delegated their disclosure responsibilities to officials at the Office Director or Division Chief level in the National Office, as well as to their regional offices. Others have delegated their field FOIA responsibilities to district or area offices while some small agencies handle all of their FOIA requests centrally in Washington, DC. When requests involve particularly sensitive matters or involve records maintained by multiple agency components, the Office of the Solicitor may make a consolidated response on behalf of the Department.

Document Archive

 Internal FOIA Desk Reference Guide, September 2010 [21 Pages, 2.9MB]

https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/foia/DOL-InternalFOIA-Sept2010.pdf

The post Department of Labor Internal FOIA Desk Reference Guide, September 2010 first appeared on The Black Vault.

Through enforcing vehicle performance standards and partnerships with state and local governments, NHTSA reduces deaths, injuries and economic losses from motor vehicle crashes.

Below, you will find the Records Schedule for the NHTSA.

Document Archive

 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Comprehensive Record Schedule [105 Pages, 13.9MB]

https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/nhtsa/ES17-000668.pdf

The post National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Comprehensive Records Schedule first appeared on The Black Vault.

Enacted in 1966, the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, gives any person the right to access federal agency records or information. The FOIA is based on the presumption that the government and its information belong to the people.

A 1996 amendment to the FOIA, required federal agencies to make many types of records available online.

Internally, agencies produce reports that offer other FOIA staff members status updates, reports, statistics, etc. about the ongoing effort to deal with the onslaught of FOIA Requests they receive from the public.

In November of 2016, I requested all internal FOIA Status Reports from the IRS, for the years 2015 and 2016.  I was surprised to receive nearly 8,000 pages of responsive records!

I have archived them below for reference.  This is a very large data dump, so it is very difficult to truly break it all down and index, but this should give you a starting point. Not all PDF files are currently searchable.

Currently, the contents are organized exactly how they were given to me and in the same format.

Document Archive

• 2015 AFOIA Backlog Report April-June Sealed/
• 2015 AFOIA Backlog Report Jan-March Sealed/
• 2015 AFOIA Backlog Report July-Sept Sealed/
• 2015 AFOIA Backlog Report Oct-Dec Sealed/
• 2015 MAG Reports/
• 2015 Weekly Inventory Reports/
• 2016 AFOIA Backlog Report Apr-Jun Sealed/
• 2016 AFOIA Backlog Report Jan-Mar Sealed/
• 2016 AFOIA Backlog Report July-Sept Sealed/
• 2016 AFOIA Backlog Report Oct-Nov Sealed/
• 2016 MAG Reports/
• 2016 Weely Inventory Reports/

FOIA Response

IRS FOIA Response for Case #17307-0087 [2 Pages, 0.5MB]

The post Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Internal FOIA Status Reports first appeared on The Black Vault.

The FOIA, enacted in 1966, generally provides that any person has a right to obtain access to federal agency records except to the extent that such records (or portions of them) are protected from public disclosure by one of nine exemptions or by one of three special law enforcement records exclusions.

The Privacy Act of 1974 may also be used by certain individuals to obtain access to records maintained by their names or other personal identifier in an agency system of records. Requests for Privacy Act records shall be processed in accordance with the Privacy Act, FDIC Regulations at 12 CFR, ~ 310, and the procedures in FDIC Circular 1031.1, The Privacy Act of 1974: Employee Rights and Responsibilities.

In 1996, Congress enacted the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments (E-FOIA) requiring public access to information in an electronic format and for the establishment of electronic FOIA reading rooms through agency FOIA web sites. The FDIC’s E-FOIA web site is available at www.fdic.gov/aboutlfreedom/index.html where a variety of reference materials and links to component reading rooms of electronic records may be found.
In 2005, President Bush issued Executive Order 13392, Improving Agency Disclosure of Information, 70 FR 75373, dated December 14, 2005, directing agencies to ensure citizen centered and results-oriented FOIA operations. In accordance with this Executive Order, the FDIC has designated the General Counsel as its Chief FOIA Officer with corporate-wide responsibility for efficient and appropriate compliance with the FOIA.

To ensure appropriate communication with FOIA requesters, a FOIA Requester Service Center has been established within the Legal Division to receive and respond to inquiries concerning the status of pending FOIA requests.

Document Archive

 FDIC Circular 1023.1 – Procedures for Processing Freedom of Information Act Requests [15 Pages, 1.4MB]

https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/FDIC/FOIADirective-FOIAProcessing-FDIC.pdf

The post FDIC Circular 1023.1 – Procedures for Processing Freedom of Information Act Requests first appeared on The Black Vault.