21st Century Pocket Guide To The Freedom Of Information Act Foia And The Privacy Act Your Right To Federal Government Records Sample Request Letters

This comprehensive book provides vital information about requesting government records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act of 1974, with detailed sample request and appeal letters useful for any situation. It includes the FOIA Reference Guide from the Department of Justice, a list of federal department and agency FOIA contacts, a description of recent FOIA litigation, exemptions from disclosure, Your Right to Federal Records, and A Citizen's Guide on Using FOIA and the Privacy Act. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was enacted in 1966 and generally provides that any person has the right to request access to federal agency records or information. All agencies of the Executive Branch of the United States Government are required to disclose records upon receiving a written request for them, except for those records (or portions of them) that are protected from disclosure by the nine exemptions and three exclusions of the FOIA. This right of access is enforceable in court. The FOIA does not, however, provide access to records held by state or local government agencies, or by private businesses or individuals. The Reference Guide is designed to familiarize you with the specific procedures for making a FOIA request. The process is neither complicated nor time consuming. Following the guidance will make it more likely that you will receive the information that you are seeking in the shortest amount of time possible. Some contents include: access to certain records without a FOIA request; where and how to make a request; response times; expedited processing; fees; fee waivers; appeals; FOIA contacts; what the Freedom of Information Act is and how to use it; exemptions and what they cover; how long will it take to get the information requested; what is the Privacy Act; which act to use; filing a judicial appeal; the scope of the Privacy Act; the computer matching and privacy protection act; locating records; amending records under the Privacy Act; the full text of both FOIA and the Privacy Act. This is a privately authored news service and educational publication of Progressive Management. Our publications synthesize official government information with original material - they are not produced by the federal government. They are designed to provide a convenient user-friendly reference work to uniformly present authoritative knowledge that can be rapidly read, reviewed or searched. Vast archives of important data that might otherwise remain inaccessible are available for instant review no matter where you are. This e-book format makes a great reference work and educational tool. There is no other reference book that is as convenient, comprehensive, thoroughly researched, and portable - everything you need to know, from renowned experts you trust. For over a quarter of a century, our news, educational, technical, scientific, and medical publications have made unique and valuable references accessible to all people. Our e-books put knowledge at your fingertips, and an expert in your pocket!

The Freedom of Info. Act (FOIA), enacted in 1966, provides that any person has the right to request access to fed. agency records or info. Fed. agencies are required to disclose records upon receiving a written request for them, except for those records that are protected from disclosure. In 1996, Congress revised the FOIA by passing the Electronic Freedom of Info. Act Amend., which provide for public access to info. in an electronic format. The Privacy Act of 1974 is another fed. law regarding fed. gov't. records or info. about individuals. This handbook provides basic guidance about the FOIA & the Privacy Act to assist people in exercising their rights. It uses a Q&A format to present info. about these laws in a clear, simple manner. Illustrations.

Covers all aspects of requesting information from Federal government agencies (FOIA requests). Extensive appendix includes sample request & appeal letters, a bibliography & the text of both Acts. Very popular!!

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which can be found in Title 5 of the United States Code, section 552, was enacted in 1966 and provides that any person has the right to request access to federal agency records or information. All agencies of the United States government are required to disclose records upon receiving a written request for them, except for those records that are protected from disclosure by nine exemptions and three exclusions of the FOIA. This right of access is enforceable in court. The federal FOIA does not, however, provide access to records held by state and local government agencies, or by private businesses or individuals. All states have their own statutes governing public access to state and local records. This book serves as a reference guide to familiarize the reader with the specific procedures for making a FOIA request to the Department of Justice. By applying the information that this book provides, the process is neither complicated nor time consuming. The book also includes descriptions of the types of records maintained by different parts of the Department, some of which are available through means other than the FOIA.