How can the FOIA Public Liaison or OGIS mediation help when my request is stuck or denied?

When a federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request stalls or comes back denied, you are not out of options. Two resources exist specifically to help requesters resolve problems without going to court: the FOIA Public Liaison at each agency, and the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) at the National Archives.

The FOIA Public Liaison

Every federal agency has a designated FOIA Public Liaison. This is your first point of contact when something goes wrong. The Liaison can help if your request is taking too long (agencies generally have 20 business days to respond), if you are confused about fees or the status of your request, or if you want to narrow or clarify a request so the agency can process it faster.

Reaching out to the Liaison is informal and free. A short, specific message — your tracking number, the date you filed, and what you need — often clears up a backlog or a miscommunication before it becomes a formal dispute.

OGIS Mediation

OGIS is the federal FOIA ombudsman. It offers free, impartial mediation services to help requesters and agencies resolve disputes. OGIS does not take sides and does not have authority to order an agency to release records, but it can:

• Help you understand the agency’s response and your options
• Facilitate communication when talks have broken down
• Review agency FOIA practices and suggest compliance improvements

You can contact OGIS at most points in the process — for delays, fee disagreements, or after a denial.

How These Fit With an Appeal

If your request is denied, you typically have the right to file an administrative appeal with the agency. Using the Public Liaison or OGIS does not replace that appeal, and contacting OGIS does not stop appeal deadlines from running. Read your denial letter carefully for the appeal instructions and time limits, and consider filing the appeal to preserve your rights while you also pursue mediation.

Note that this guidance covers the federal FOIA. State public-records laws have their own deadlines, appeal paths, and oversight bodies, which vary widely.

For more background on access rights and the request process, see FOIA and public records.