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See what else DoNotPay has in store by accessing our web app in any browser.
When Should I Expect A Response
The law requires that an agency respond to any Public Record Act request in 10 days, acknowledging the request, giving a timeline for a full response and informing the requestor if they are claiming any exemptions.11 An agency can ask for a 14-day extension to respond to the request. The more extensive the request, or if it may require a lot of redactions to keep certain information confidential, the longer it may take to respond. While agencies are supposed to respond promptly, many agencies often take a long time. If you haven’t heard from them, follow-up reminding them that you are still awaiting a response, and document every contact with the agency.
Also, if you are seeking information about a relatively-recent serious use of force, an agency has the right but is not required to temporarily withhold the relevant documents if there is an ongoing criminal or administrative investigation that could be harmed by the release of these documents.12 How long the agency can withhold depends on whether investigation is criminal or just administrative, but in most cases it cannot withhold longer than 18 months after the incident occurred. If criminal charges are filed, the material can be withheld until the criminal case has ended.13
What Can I Request
A FOIA request can be made for any agency record. You can also specify the format in which you wish to receive the records. You should be aware that the FOIA does not require agencies to do research for you, to analyze data, to answer written questions, or to create records in response to a request.
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If I’m Still Dissatisfied Are There Other Options
During the course of the request process, the components FOIA contact or its FOIA Public Liaison can assist you in a variety of ways, from working with you on the scope of your request and the searches that will be done, to arranging an alternative time frame for processing your request, to providing information on the status of your request, and increasing your understanding of the request process. Once you have received a response, you can file an administrative appeal and have the action of the component independently reviewed by OIP.
In addition, there is now an office established within the National Archives and Records Administration called the Office of Government Information Services , which offers mediation services to FOIA requesters as an alternative to litigation. Using OGISs services does not preclude you from filing a FOIA lawsuit.
Finally, the FOIA provides requesters with the right to challenge an agency’s action in federal court. A federal judge will conduct an independent review of the agencys action on your request. Before filing a lawsuit, you ordinarily will be required to have first filed an administrative appeal.
Donotpay Allows You To File A Foia Request To Any Agency
Do you need to retrieve records from some other agencies? DoNotPay can assist you in submitting FOIA requests to any state or federal agency, including the:
You can seek federal agencies information on yourself or any other subject. All you need to do is log in to DoNotPay in any web browser, and we can help you get the records you need.
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Can My Request Be Processed Faster
Under certain conditions you may be entitled to have your request processed on an expedited basis. At the Department of Justice, there are four specific situations where a request will be expedited, which means that it is handled as soon as practicable.
First, a request will be expedited if the lack of expedited treatment could reasonably be expected to pose a threat to someone’s life or physical safety.
Second, a request will be expedited if the information requested is urgently needed to inform the public concerning some actual or alleged federal government activity, and if it is made by a person primarily engaged in disseminating information to the public.
Third, if an individual will suffer the loss of substantial due process rights, his or her request will be expedited. A request will not normally be expedited merely because the requester is facing a court deadline in a judicial proceeding.
Finally, a request will be expedited if the subject of the request is of widespread and exceptional media interest and the information sought involves possible questions about the government’s integrity which affect public confidence. Decisions to expedite under this fourth standard are made by DOJ’s Director of Public Affairs.
How To Obtain Foia Police Reports In Minutes
Under the Freedom of Information Act of 1966, you can request access to federal agencies records. If you want to obtain information from police reports, you should file a FOIA request. DoNotPay is here to give you more details on the meaning of FOIA and help you submit your FOIA police reports request in no time.
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Body Camera Video & Other Records
Submit a Request for a copy of Body Camera Video or Other Records
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How Do I Make A Foia Request
Before making a request, first look to see if the information you are interested in is already publicly available. You can find a lot of useful information on a range of topics on each agencys website. You can also search for information agencies have already posted online here on FOIA.gov. If the information you want is not publicly available, you can submit a FOIA request to the agencys FOIA Office. The request simply must be in writing and reasonably describe the records you seek. Most federal agencies now accept FOIA requests electronically, including by web form, e-mail or fax. See the list of federal agencies for details about how to make a request to each agency and any specific requirements for seeking certain records.
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How To Access Police Records For Free
Whether you are looking for a copy of a police report, researching a potential job applicant, doing a criminal background check on a new dating partner, or just want to find out what law enforcement agencies have in their files about you, law enforcement records are fairly easy to get at little to no cost. In the United States, this is usually done through submitting a written request for the records under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act and/or the Privacy Act. Since criminal records are considered a matter of public interest and safety, every individual is allowed to request them for any reason. The government agency is not allowed to ask you why you want the records.
Complete And Submit An Official Foi Request
Online requests:
- online requests can be submitted by completing an eRequest form
- you can submit a request by mail to any institution under FIPPA or MFIPPA
- complete the Access or Correction Request form
- if you are submitting an FOI request to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, complete and submit this form
- refer to the Directory of Institutions for the relevant institution address to submit your completed form or letter
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Municipal Or Regional Police
If the information you are seeking to access involves a regional or municipal police force or a regional police services board, you can either:
- submit an FOI request through the municipalitys web page
- find their contact information using the Directory of Institutions to search for Police Services Board and the applicable city or municipality
Please note that FOI requests for municipal or regional police services are accessed through the . You will not be able to submit a request through the eRequest option.
Freedom Of Information Act
Under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140/1 et. seq, records in the possession of public agencies may be accessed by the public upon request. The Act defines a public record as, “all records, reports, forms, writings, letters, memoranda, books, papers, maps, photographs, microfilms, cards, tapes, recordings, electronic data processing records, electronic communications, recorded information and all other documentary materials pertaining to the transaction of public business, regardless of physical form or characteristics, having been prepared by or for, or having been or being used by, received by, in the possession of, or under the control of any public body.”
Some records are, however, not subject to release via the FOIA process. These types of records are described under sections 2.15, 7, and 7.5 of FOIA, 5 ILCS 140/2.15. Some records may also be subject to provisions imposed by other state statutes. The FOIA process for disclosure of information does not supersede other applicable statutory and judicial mandates.
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Pay The Application Fee
There is a mandatory $5 application fee for each FOI request.
There is no application fee for a request to make a correction to your own personal information.
Check with the institution you are seeking records from to see what forms of payment are available .
Processing fees
Additional fees may apply to process a request. The processing fee is determined by the:
- type of information you requested
- format you wish to receive the information
- total costs incurred by the institution to produce or prepare the information
You will receive a fee estimate from the FOI office or institution where you submitted your FOI request, if the processing fees will be more than $25. When processing fees are over $100, a deposit may be required.
You have the right to request a waiver of fees if the payment will cause financial hardship or if the information will benefit public health or safety. The FOI office or institution that receives your request for a fee waiver will discuss next steps in the process.
Processing time
Institutions have 30 calendar days to process FOI requests except under specific circumstances. You will be notified if a time extension is required.
Note: If you need further assistance, contact the Freedom of Information and Privacy coordinator at the institution you want information from.
The Freedom of Information and Privacy coordinator can:
- municipalities
- some publicly funded institutions
Does It Cost Money To Make A Request
An agency is only allowed to charge for the “direct costs” of duplicating the records, or the cost to create certain documents if you are asking it to create a document like a list that it does not already have.8 You should always ask the agency to waive costs in your initial request, but they are not required to do so. You also have the option to inspect the records by looking at them at the agency during its regular business hours, which you can do for free. You can always inspect documents for free, and then request copying only of those that you want.
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How To Submit A Foia Request To The Police Department
FOIA requests are processed by the Department’s FOIA Liaison Officer and can be submitted in person, by U.S. mail, fax, phone, or by email.
In addition to the commonly used exemptions, our Department is prohibited from releasing:
- A juvenile offenderâs information
- The identity of any individual providing information about a crime or criminal activity under a promise of anonymity shall not be disclosed
- Social Security numbers, financial records, other sensitive account information, and certain motor vehicle records
If you believe your FOIA rights were violated, you may file a petition in district or circuit court. Alternatively, you may contact the FOIA Council for a nonbinding advisory opinion.
Use Our Online Foia System To Request:
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Your own records of international travel to/from the U.S., apprehensions/detentions by Border Patrol, and Secondary inspections at Ports of Entry
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Another person’s records for international travel to/from the U.S., apprehensions/ detentions by Border Patrol, and Secondary inspections at Ports of Entry or
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Agency Information such as policies, data, communications, etc.
After you create a FOIAonline account you can submit a FOIA request directly to CBP. When submitting a FOIA request on records that pertain to you, please provide your full name, address, and date of birth. If you are requesting records on behalf of someone else, you need a signed G-28 form , or some other form of signed consent that will allow CBP to release the records to a 3rd party. Once your request is submitted you will receive an acknowledgment and a FOIA tracking number. After your FOIA request is acknowledged you can track the status of your request at any time. Please note that the FOIA process is not intended to be a mechanism for asking questions of CBP. FOIA requests are intended to provide access to CBP records.
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What Type Of Documents Will The Agency Produce
The term “record” should include all documents related to the incident, including any reports created by the agency, the records of its investigations, photographic and video evidence, and the agency’s disciplinary decisions.6 If you are only interested in certain types of recordslike a disciplinary decision or an autopsy report you can request the specific type of record you want, and that may actually help you get a response to your request more quickly. Agencies also have an obligation to work with you to identify the documents that are responsive to your request.7
How To Request Records
In order to locate the record that you are seeking, DEC needs as much of the following information as possible:
- Name, mailing address of requester and statement of willingness to pay associated costs
- Exact dates and times of the incident
- Address of the incident
- Type of incident
- Telephone number that the 911 call was placed from
Please also specify whether you want to receive the records via email or mailed through the U.S. Postal Service. Some requests may be too large to email, and we cannot email recordings . Also please specify whether you wish to receive an estimate of costs before the request is completed.
To file a request, please email the above information to
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Identify The Information/records You Want
Before you make a request, identify the type of record you need.
The Directory of Records describes the kinds of information held by provincial ministries and agencies under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act .
Note: Not all records listed in the Directory of Records are available through Freedom of Information requests. Additional fees may be associated with requests to access certain records.
Can I Appeal The Response To My Request
You may file an administrative appeal if you are not satisfied with a DOJ component’s initial response. You will be advised of your right to file an administrative appeal in the component’s response if it contains an adverse determination. All appeals must be made in writing and addressed to the Office of Information Policy. Appeals may be submitted via mail or electronically through OIPs web portal on FOIA STAR. The appeal must be postmarked, or in the case of electronic submissions, transmitted, within 90 calendar days after the date of the response. In order to submit a FOIA administrative appeal through FOIA STAR, you must first create an account and became a registered user on the site.
There is no specific form or particular language needed to file an administrative appeal. You should identify the component that denied your request and include the initial request number that the component assigned to your request and the date of the component’s action. There is no need to attach copies of released documents unless they pertain to some specific point you are raising in your administrative appeal. You should explain what specific action by the component that you are appealing, but you need not explain the reason for your disagreement with the component’s action unless your explanation will assist the appeal decision-maker in reaching a decision.
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