What is the Freedom of Information Act?
The Freedom of Information Act Program (DoDM 5400.07_AFMAN 33-302) generally provides that any person, including U.S. citizens, foreign nationals, organizations, universities, and businesses, has the right to obtain access to federal agency records, except when the records are protected from public disclosure by one of nine statutory exemptions . The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) applies to documents either created or obtained by an executive branch agency and under the agency’s control at the time of the FOIA request. The FOIA does not create a right of access to records held by Congress, the courts, state or local governments, or by private businesses or individuals. Each state has its own public access laws that should be consulted for access to state and local records.
The FOIA allows fee charges based on the requester’s category. There are three categories: commercial (charged search, review, and production fees); educational, non-commercial scientific institution and news media (charged reproduction fees); and others (charged search and reproduction fees). Requesters are not charged for the first two hours of search fees, the first 100 pages of reproduction fees, or when the total cost is $25 or less. For more information on the FOIA please refer to the DoD FOIA Handbook.
Before submitting your request, check the following links to see if your request can be better addressed through these channels:
For requesting copies of your Military Personnel Records or DD214 visit:
For requesting copies of your Military Medical Records visit:
For requesting copies of your Civilian Service Records visit:
For requesting a copy of an Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) Investigation visit:
How do I Make a Request?
To submit a FOIA request, visit the Air Force eFOIA Public Access Link (PAL) at https://efoia.cce.af.mil/.
We encourage you to submit your request via the eFOIA PAL to ensure your request contains all required information, thereby, reducing the chance of delays. Once you create an account, please review all links listed on the left side of the page as they have been designed to provide requesters with important information and guidance.
You may also submit your request via the postal service, fax, or email to our FOIA Request Service Center. FOIA requests should reference the FOIA, describe the records sought as specifically as possible, acknowledge a willingness to pay fees associated with processing the request, and include the requester’s contact information (phone number, email address, and mailing address). The request is considered properly received, or perfected, when all required conditions have been met and the request arrives at the FOIA office of the agency in possession of the records. Please utilize this template to ensure all necessary information is provided in the written request.
To obtain the status of you request visit the AF eFOIA PAL or contact the Sheppard Request Service Center.
Request Service Center:
82 CS/SCOK
221 3rd Ave, Bldg. 1121
Sheppard AFB, Texas 76311
Phone: (940) 676-7691
FAX: (940) 676-2392
Email: 82cs.scok.FOIA@us.af.mil
NOTE: Air Force affiliated requesters, to include military and civilian employees, should not use government equipment, supplies, stationary, postage, telephones, or official mail channels to make FOIA requests. Do not use your government email when submitting a request.
Air Force FOIA Public Liaison Office
If you are dissatisfied with the service received from our Requester Service Center, you may contact the Air Force FOIA Public Liaison Officer for assistance:
1800 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330-1800
Phone: (703) 614-8500
Email: DAF.FOIA@us.af.mil
(Please do not send FOIA requests to this office)
Office of Government Information Services
You may also seek dispute resolution services from the Office of Government Information Services:
8601 Adelphi Road (OGIS)
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: (202) 741-5770
Phone (toll-free): 1-877-684-6448
Email: ogis@nara.gov
Air Force FOIA Library
The FOIA requires agencies to create publicly accessible libraries with agency FOIA response materials and other information routinely available to the public. For mor information, and to access the Air Force FOIA Library please visit: https://www.compliance.af.mil/Library/
Are you seeking a record that is currently classified?
If you are only seeking a copy of a record or records that are currently classified and would like the record reviewed for appropriate declassification and release, you should file a Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) request. MDR is a provision of Presidential Executive Order 13526 that allows members of the public to request a mandatory declassification review of a classified document in order to obtain a releasable version of the document. The desired document requested must be specified in sufficient detail that it can be readily located. The record in question may not be the subject of litigation. The MDR process can be a very timely and in-depth, due to the classification of materials being reviewed by internal and outside agencies. MDR decisions can be administratively appealed to the Headquarters Air Force/AAII (Mandatory Declassification Review) or Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (ISCAP).
Requests for review and release of classified records under the MDR process can be made to:
Headquarters Air Force/AAII (Mandatory Declassification Review)
1000 Air Force Pentagon Washington, DC 20330-1000
Phone: (703) 693-2560
Email: saf.aa.mdr.workflow@us.af.mil