The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides that any person has the right to request access to federal agency records or information. Like all federal agencies, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is required to disclose records requested in writing by any person. However, agencies may withhold information pursuant to nine exemptions and three exclusions contained in the statute.

How to Make a FOIA Request

Requests can be in writing, either handwritten, typed or faxed. Requests can also be submitted electronically by email. No special form is required to make your request. You can also find out the status of submitted FOIA requests using our FOIA tracking system.

By Mail

If you choose to submit your FOIA request via postal mail, and do not know which component has the records you are seeking, please mark the outside of the envelope, "Freedom of Information Request" and mail to:

Office of the Solicitor
Division of Management and Administrative Legal Services
200 Constitution Ave NW
Room N-2420
Washington, DC 20230
ATTN: FOIA Request

Personnel in that division will then forward your request to the components of the Labor Department that they believe are most likely to maintain the records you are seeking. You may also view FOIA Agency Descriptions.

By Fax

You may fax a FOIA request to "FOIA Staff" at 202-693-5389

By Email

You may also submit a FOIA request addressed to any DOL agency component by sending an email to foiarequest@dol.gov. To ensure that your FOIA request is forwarded to the correct Department component, you must identify which agency you believe has the records you are seeking.

In making your request, you should be as specific as possible with regard to names, dates, places, events, subjects, etc.

Under the statute, all federal agencies are required to respond to a FOIA request within 20 business days excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. This period does not begin until the request is actually received by the FOIA office that maintains the records sought.

OASP FOIA Reading Room

Other FOIA Resources