Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of information Act (FOIA) 5 USC § 552 allows an individual, a private organization or company, or a local, state, or foreign government to seek access to Executive Branch agency records, such as those held by the Marine Corps. As a component of the Department of the Navy, Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5720.42F, Department of the Navy FOIA Program, governs the Marine Corps FOIA program and is codified at 32 CFR, part 701.

How to Make a FOIA Request

Freedom of Information Act Request Form

Step 1: Preparing Your Request

Label your request "FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST," on the request (and also on the envelope, if you use a written request).

Describe the specific record(s) you are seeking with enough detail so that a knowledgeable official of the activity may locate the record with a reasonable amount of effort. Such detail should include descriptive information, time-frame to be searched, etc. Because most Navy records are not retained permanently, the more information provided, the better opportunity there is to determine if the records would still exist and where. The FOIA clearly states that records must exist at the time the request is submitted to be considered.

State your willingness to pay all fees or those up to a specified amount or provide a justification to support a fee waiver. Agreements to pay fees are considered to be up to $250, unless another amount is specified. Currently we charge search, review (for commercial requesters only), and duplication costs. (The fee schedule is provided at enclosure (3) of Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5720.42F).