FOIA Requests

This office only processes requests for records in the possession and control of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff (OSD/JS), to include: the U.S. Joint Forces Command (JFCOM), the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA), and the Business Transformation Agency (BTA), as well as the following field activities; American Forces Information Service, Defense Acquisition University, Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Persons Office, Defense Systems Management College, Defense Technology Security Administration, DoD Human Resources Activity, Joint Professional Military Education Colleges, National Defense University, Washington Headquarters Services, and the White House Military Office.

Click here to see the FOIA Request Form

If you are seeking records from or about one of the other DoD components, one of the Combatant Commands, or the Military Services, you should contact them directly (See DoD Service Centers at the right menu bar)

For records 25 years or older, please direct your request to the National Archives and Records Administration.

For all DoD personnel records of retired military or civilian personnel, please direct your request to National Personnel Records Center.

Requesters must provide complete contact information (Full Name, Mailing Address, Telephone Number, and e-mail address, if available). If alternate contact information is available (e.g., other e-mail or telephone numbers), please provide that information as well.

Thoroughly identify the records desired, being as specific as possible as to when and by whom the record was created. The key here is to provide enough information to allow an experienced employee to locate the record with a reasonable amount of effort. Try to keep your request simple and to the point. Highly complex requests that cover many years and a large number of subjects take more time to process. Complex requests typically require extensive coordination and often consultation with other agencies.

Indicate or include a statement of your willingness to pay for the cost the processing the request. This figure should identify the maximum fee (a dollar amount) you are willing to pay. If you are seeking a fee waiver, you should refer to link to 32 C.F.R. § 286.28(d) (PDF | 88 KB) et seq for qualifying factors.

Requesters may submit FOIA requests electronically (preferred), via facsimile, or via mail or courier as follows:

Mail/Courier:
OSD/JS FOIA Requester Service Center
Office of Freedom of Information
1155 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1155

Portable Document Format (PDF) files may be viewed with a free copy of Adobe Acrobat® Reader™.