FOIA (Freedom of Information Act)

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal statute that allows any person to request access to federal agency records, except to the extent records are exempt from the Act’s disclosure requirements under one or more of the nine (9) exemptions of the Freedom of Information Act.

If you have any questions regarding the HHS FOIA process, after reviewing the HHS FOIA regulations, please feel free to send an email to  FOIARequest@hhs.gov.

New FOIA Requests

We encourage you to review the HHS FOIA regulations and records disclosed on HHS.gov prior to submitting a new request. After reviewing the records disclosed in the HHS FOIA Library, if you wish to submit a FOIA request, we recommend submitting your FOIA request online via the Public Access Link (PAL).

If you use PAL to request records about yourself, you can also securely enter and upload identity verification information and documents via PAL. You may wish to review the requirements for first-party access requests here: How to Make a Privacy Act Request. Please note that for your security, submission of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) via email to comply with Privacy Act verification of identity requirements is not recommended.

FOIA Appeals

Please submit FOIA appeals via the method and address specified in the FOIA response letter in which appeal rights are granted.

Submit & Check Status of FOIA Requests

Submit or check the status of a request through our Public Access Link. You also may contact the FOIA Office directly at (202) 690-7453.

HHS FOIA Contacts & Requester Service Centers

Contact the HHS FOIA Requester Service Centers (FSRCs) that respond to FOIA requests for HHS records.

HHS FOIA Reports

Get statistics on requests and updates on the HHS FOIA office in our annual, quarterly, and Chief Officer Reports.

FOIA Library / Electronic Reading Room

Read agency manuals, agency policy statements, and opinions developed in the adjudication of cases.
Includes, e.g., Guidance to HHS FOIA Offices About Mailing SSNs.

FOIA Exemptions & Exclusions

Review the 9 disclosure exemptions and 3 special protection provisions / exclusion categories of records not subject to FOIA requirements.

FOIA & Privacy Act Statutes & Resources

Learn about the rules and regulations that govern the FOIA and Privacy Act.

FOIA FAQs

Get answers to commonly asked FOIA questions.

FOIA Appeals

Learn how to appeal a denied FOIA request.

FOIA Fees

Review fees that may be associated with your FOIA request

HIPAA - Health Information Privacy

Find guidance and more information about the HIPAA Privacy Rule, including what information is protected and how health information is used and disclosed.

Content created by Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Division
Content last reviewed