Which federal agency do I send my FOIA request to if I don't know who has the records?

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) does not have a single, central office that receives every request. Instead, each federal agency processes requests for the records it controls. That means there is no “national FOIA inbox” — you have to direct your request to the agency that actually created or holds the records. When you are not sure who that is, a little research up front will save you time and prevent your request from being closed or rerouted slowly.

Start by identifying the likely agency

Think about which part of the government is most likely to have created, received, or maintained the records based on the subject matter. For example, immigration files generally sit with the relevant immigration agency, tax records with the IRS, and environmental data with the EPA. Records often follow the agency’s mission, so matching the topic to an agency’s function is the fastest way to narrow the field.

Use the government’s central FOIA resources

If you cannot pinpoint the agency, the federal government provides tools to help:

• FOIA.gov lets you search and browse participating federal agencies and submit requests. It explains how the decentralized system works and points you to each agency’s FOIA contact.
• Most agencies publish a FOIA Reference Guide and a FOIA Public Liaison whose job is to help requesters. The Public Liaison can confirm whether their agency has the records or suggest who does.

When records may span multiple agencies

Sometimes more than one agency could hold copies of the same material. In that case, you may need to file separate requests with each agency. If you send a request to an agency that does not have the records, it should tell you — and in some situations it may refer the request to the agency it believes is responsible. Asking the FOIA Public Liaison early helps avoid duplicate effort.

Tips for a smoother request

• Describe the records as specifically as you can: dates, subjects, locations, program names, and any document types.
• Keep a copy of what you submit and note the tracking number you receive.
• If you are unsure, it is reasonable to contact the agency’s FOIA office before filing to ask whether they are the right custodian.

For more background on how federal records are created, organized, and retained — which shapes where FOIA records live — see the FOIA and public records topic hub.