Freedom of information - FBI

[Bulletproof Monk]

Freedom of Information and Privacy Act -- Request for Appeal
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Chief FOIA & Privacy Act Section
Room 6296 JEH
935 Pennsylvania Avenue
NW Washington, D.C. 20535



This letter serves as my appeal under the Freedom of Information Act, 6 U.S.C. Sec. 552(a) and requests a reconsideration of your decision.

Previously, I requested documents under the Freedom of Information Act on [insert date]. Your agency assigned this identification number [insert number here] to my request. My request was denied per a letter received on [insert date]. This letter of denial was signed by [insert name of person who denied request.]

I would like to receive an explanation as to why my request for information was denied. It is my belief that these requested documents should be released under the FOIA due to[list reason here]. According to the current statute, I understand a decision on my appeal to be made within 20 working days.

Thank you for your consideration, and I expect to hear from you on this matter soon.


Sincerely,
Your name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code
Your Telephone Number


Perhaps you've been stopped in your tracks by a fee request for the information you would like to obtain. You CAN ask for the fees to be waived if you're not seeking them for commercial use, if you're a member of the media who is strictly using the info in newsgathering, or if you believe releasing the documents would be in the public's interest and would facilitate better understanding of the government and its operations.

Below is a sample letter, requesting waiver of fees:

Re: Freedom of Information Act Appeal
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Chief FOIA & Privacy Act Section
Room 6296 JEH
935 Pennsylvania Avenue
NW Washington, D.C. 20535



Dear:
This serves as my appeal under the Freedom of Information Act, 6 U.S.C.Sec. 552(a).

As of [date] I requested documents under the Freedom of Information Act and my request was assigned the following number: [insert number here]. Your response, dated [date] and signed by [insert signer's name], indicated that my request for a waiver of fees was denied. I would like to appeal this decision to deny my request for a waiver of fees because I believe I am entitled to a waiver of fees.

It is in the public interest for these requested documents to be disclosed, especially since the information therein will likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government. I would also like to add that the information I am requesting is not primarily in my commercial interests/for commercial use.

**add if you are a member of the media**

In addition, I believe I should not have to pay search charges because I am a reporter seeking information as part of newsgathering, which is not intended for commercial use.

As granted in the statute, I trust that a final ruling on this appeal will reach me within 20 working days.

Thank you for consideration.


Sincerely,
Name
Address
Your City, State, Zip Code
Your Telephone Number