Sample FOIA Request Letter

Date

National Reconnaissance Office
COMM/Information Review and Release Group (IRRG)
14675 Lee Road
Chantilly, VA 20151-1715


Dear IRRG,

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. §552). I request that a copy of the following records be provided to me [identify the documents as specifically as possible].

In order to help you determine my status for the purpose of assessing fees, you should know that I am [insert one of the descriptions below]:

  • a representative of the news media affiliated with the [newspaper, magazine, television station, etc.], and this request is made as part of newsgathering and not for commercial use;
  • affiliated with an educational or non-commercial scientific institution, and this request is made for a scholarly or scientific purpose and not for a commercial use;
  • affiliated with a private business and seeking records for us in the company's business; or
  • a private individual doing personal research.

Should fees be incurred above NRO’s minimum billing threshold of $25, I am willing to pay fees [you may put in an amount "not to exceed $_____]."

Sincerely,

Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Telephone Number
Email Address

National Reconnaissance Office - Above and Beyond