Welcome to the U.S. Department of State Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) website. Like all federal agencies, the Department creates and receives records when carrying out its mission. This website provides a wealth of information about the Department’s FOIA program and how to obtain access to the Department’s records, as well as a search tool containing numerous documents reviewed and released to the public.

The Department of State administers information access programs including the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, and the Mandatory Declassification Review programs. These programs can be used to obtain access to a variety of Department records. Find out more about these programs and about what kinds of records and information the Department maintains.

Prior to making a request for Department of State records, you may wish to find out if the information has already been made publicly available through one of the Department’s searchable online resources:

• Virtual Reading Room Search
• Records Released in Litigation
• Administrative Rulings, Policy Statements, and Other Publications

Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Privacy Act, or Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) by mail or by fax.

Under the Freedom of Information Act by Electronic Submission.

Please note: Requests for personal records require an original signature and cannot be accepted online.