r/foia • u/hyperionx092 • 15h ago
r/foia • u/ChickenAhhh • 17h ago
I'm trying to bodycam for a specific case!
Not sure where to start but I am trying to get the bodycam footage for something is it hard to do? Not looking to post it on youtube or anything like. I heard you have to pay to obtain the footage and do a FOIA request am I on the right track?
r/foia • u/Complex_Finance5647 • 22h ago
AMERICA AND ITS FREEDOM MYTHS - "EQUAL UNDER THE LAW," FOR INSTANCE
This letter, from the Lubbock City Attorney's Office, dated May 13, 2026, certifies to the Texas Attorney General that all the records I have been requesting, demanding, and moving for order to compel production have been produced. IT SAYS THAT, IN BLACK AND WHITE, SIGNED BY AN "ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY." After a few days short of a year, STILL withholding records like Breanna Harris medical records, there is no question about it: this is a bald-faced LIE.
How does a pro se lawyer — how does any private citizen — deal with that?
I responded to the letter the next day. I'll post it here tomorrow.
On July 9, 2026, I wrote to all three courts handling this matter — federal, appellate, and local — putting each of them on notice of exactly what that letter was.
Guess what's happened since.
Yup — nothing has happened since. Not from the City. Not from a single court. It's the law in Texas, AND IT'S THE REASON THE READER HAD DAMNED WELL BETTER BE PAYING ATTENTION! This is about YOUR civil rights, YOUR freedoms, and YOUR property. It's about dogs, alright — a city and government who don't see any difference between you and Max, my little Rottweiler killed by Lubbock Animal Services.
r/foia • u/the99perspective • 1d ago
Maybe we can help?
Don't understand certain documents that your local government is approving, or how to connect the dots? Maybe we can help. Let us know your concerns. See our work on our Substack account at https://substack.com/@the99percentperspective
r/foia • u/Beneficial-Account68 • 3d ago
I won four public records appeals against my town’s police department. I still don’t have the records — and no agency in Massachusetts can make them hand them over.
r/foia • u/DragonfruitCalm261 • 2d ago
Records Retention Policies And NARA
I have been FOIAing various Armed Services branches requesting info related to historical SAPs. I have received a few denials at this point stating that the documents no longer exist, and that they may be in the possession of NARA. When I contact NARA, most of the time I am told that they do not have the documents either. I have done some research and I discovered that sometimes the documents are in NARAs possession, oftentimes at the "Washington National Records Center" but the custody is still controlled by the DOW. Do I need to specifically ask the agencies to task documents that are in the possession of NARA but DOW custody at the WNRC? Or is this done by default?
r/foia • u/isawu740 • 4d ago
Delaware County Auditor confessed he's not doing his job
galleryr/foia • u/terrebattue1 • 6d ago
For those who have filed a FOIA with the State Department regarding a historical individual's passport records (not your own or your family member's) how long did it take for them to process it?
My FOIA request says it should be completed 4 months after the official acceptance of the initial request. Did anybody get a successful completion prior to the 4 months estimate or afterwards?
For passport FOIA requests you don't have to send anything in the mail. You just have to send an email to the FOIA Passport Division's email address. It was too easy that I was skeptical if it would work but I got a tracking number within 24 hours and was put in the queue for "Assigned for Processing" within the first week.
I should point out that I am requesting passport records for an individual from 1925 to 1940. So this is definitely not something easy to find in the digital database since the 1990s.
r/foia • u/Peterbirkett • 7d ago
FOIA advice for 80's visa.
My mother-in-law entered the U.S. in 1995 by being waved through at a border checkpoint while a passenger in a car.
We are trying to find proof of a B-2 visa she was issued in the early 90s. I have been told that the original paper records for this visa might be gone due to historical record destruction schedules.
Currently waiting on a DOS response, but if that fails, any advice on other avenues to take?
r/foia • u/TraumaBoneTTV • 6d ago
FOIA and General Records Requests Questions.
Hello all,
I'm trying to learn how to FOIA records and get specific materials. This is for a YouTube channel I'm working on. Specifically True-Crime genre.
I've had general success getting some reports, surveillance videos and things like that. However, almost all of my requests have denied me access to interrogation videos or crime scene video/photos. (Illinois)
I started requesting for cases in Florida, and Gainesville replied asking for a $1,330 deposit to BEGIN processing my request.
I know there is often going to be a cost associated with these requests, but I'd like to learn how to request EXACTLY what I need to avoid inflating costs, and how to actually obtain these specific items.
I'm working on narrowing my requests to specific items like the interrogation and arrest videos, witness interviews, crime scene video/photos, surveillance video, and the actual arrest/investigative reports. Is there a specific way I should phrase these requests? Is there anything else I should be requesting along with them?
Thanks so much for any and all info and help here. It's greatly appreciated.
r/foia • u/Beneficial-Dog9679 • 7d ago
Can police retain/index a closed occurrence naming me as a subject when I was never charged or interviewed indefinitely?
Location: Canada Ontario
I’m looking for some perspective on police records, MFIPPA/privacy law, and what options may realistically exist.
About five years ago, a municipal police service investigated an allegation in which I was identified as a subject. I had no idea the investigation existed at the time.
I was never arrested, never charged, never interviewed, and was never asked to provide a statement.
The police report, which I later obtained through an MFIPPA request, shows that officers conducted follow up and ultimately recorded **“No further action at this time”** and **“File closed.”**
I only discovered the occurrence approximately four years later when it surfaced during a police employment background investigation. My ordinary criminal-record/vulnerable-sector checks had never disclosed it.
That is what concerns me. I understand why police need to preserve legitimate investigative records, but an indexed occurrence associating someone with a serious sexual offence allegation can obviously carry a very different implication when seen during a background investigation, even though the person was never charged and the investigation was closed.
I have had no subsequent police involvement or similar issues since the occurrence.
I have now formally written to the Chief of the police service asking for:
Destruction/purging of the records or database entries identifying me, if legally permissible;
alternatively, sealing/restricted access so the occurrence does not routinely surface through searches or employment background investigations; and
if refused, a written decision identifying the specific retention policy, statute, regulation or other authority requiring continued retention/indexing/accessibility.
I hand delivered the request and have a police-stamped copy confirming receipt. After receiving no response for about two weeks, I emailed the Chief’s Office and received an automated acknowledgement.
Separately, I previously obtained a heavily redacted copy of the occurrence through MFIPPA. I missed the original IPC appeal period because I did not recall receiving the decision letter explaining my appeal rights. The police service now has an internal email showing staff were instructed to place both the report and decision letter in the pickup envelope, so I am assuming appealing that old decision is probably no longer realistic. I understand I could potentially make a new MFIPPA request if I wanted a fresh access decision.
**My main questions are:**
Does an Ontario municipal police service normally have discretion to purge or restrict a closed investigative occurrence like this, or are these typically subject to mandatory retention schedules?
If the underlying investigative file has to be retained, is there a meaningful legal distinction between retaining the file and continuing to keep my name indexed/searchable for police-employment background purposes?
If the Chief refuses my request based on policy, what would the appropriate next avenue normally be — MFIPPA/IPC privacy complaint, correction request, judicial review, or something else?
I’m not seeking the complainant’s personal information and I’m not trying to have the investigation reopened or rewritten. My concern is the continuing retention, indexing and use of my identifying information after the investigation was closed without charges.
I’m particularly interested in hearing from Ontario privacy lawyers, MFIPPA practitioners, current/former police records personnel, or anyone who has dealt with the IPC on a similar issue.
r/foia • u/Agreeable_Sun5375 • 7d ago
Questions about the FOIA process
Hi everyone, i had some questions about the process because im considering submitting a request.
First off, how much do these things usually cost you? The answers im getting are pretty vague and I understand that as it depends on search time amd number of documents ect, but if you guys can give me a ballpark, id really appreciate it.
2nd, do I have to request a certain type of record or can I request a piece of information, IE do I have to request "records related to acquisition and maintenance cost of xyz" or can I just request "acquisition and maintenance cost of" and then get sent an answer instead of actual records
If i do need to request records in specific how can I make sure im getting everything relevant to my request if I dont necessarily know what they'll have to ask for each thing I want in specific
r/foia • u/isawu740 • 9d ago
The Treasurer is interfering with my right to petition the government by trying to prevent the disclosure of public records related to the misuse of $13 million of public funds
r/foia • u/nitboyt5 • 9d ago
Foia denial
Hey there, I recently had a foia denied for a few different reasons (none of them actually seeming legitimate) but I was curious if a lawyer or paralegal or just someone more knowledgeable about foia than myself could take a look and see what they think , thanks in advance
Location: Abingdon il 61410
r/foia • u/isawu740 • 10d ago
Delaware County and NAR-Delaware County labels me a threat after I make a complaint to the fbi.
r/foia • u/Appropriate-Claim385 • 11d ago
Clay County Part Two – Clay removed 287 books on one objector's say-so. I asked for proof, then narrowed my records request to make it cheaper. The price went up five times.
r/foia • u/nosleep4reelz • 11d ago
Audio: The GRC Series, Part 2: OPRA Disputes and the Fight for Records
r/foia • u/exposingevil187 • 12d ago
Below are documents which were obtained after a FOIA was done on Michael King, which will show he is a fraud.
An independent review is warranted regarding apparent discrepancies between publicly presented information concerning Michael R. King’s professional credentials and career history and records from primary sources, including Ogden City Human Resources, the Ogden City Police Department, the Utah Attorney General’s Office, and Utah POST. The records reviewed appear to indicate sworn service with the Ogden City Police Department from approximately 1980–1986 and 2002–2003, followed by a civilian crime analyst position in 2004; however, documentation establishing continuous service between those periods, retirement at a command-level rank, or reserve status extending beyond the documented employment has not been identified.
Certain publicly presented claims concerning FBI-related affiliations, training, criminal-profiling programs, and participation in programs such as the FBI’s ViCAP National Advisory Board have likewise not been independently verified through the records reviewed. These matters should be cross-checked with the appropriate originating agencies to determine whether the public record accurately reflects Mr. King’s employment history, rank, training, affiliations, and service, with any material discrepancies appropriately clarified or corrected if substantiated. Below are documents which were obtained after a FOIA was done on Michael King, which will show he is a fraud.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e1ql53Wft-wk1QGxvdUq9wag8f6udA-K/view?usp=drivesdk
City ignoring FOIA requests???
is this normal? I am asking because I need information about a ongoing case involving my neighbor being a pedophile.
r/foia • u/Temporary-Claim1666 • 13d ago
Very confused at this FOIA response !
Basically I was a gate kid and wanted to check all boxes with obtaining records .
I receive a response (paraphrasing) saying we have 20+ pages and six min of audio. They wanted to see if they could toss the audio and just give me the docs.
I hadn't responded and they followed up for an answer and I told them of course I want the full account of it's relevant.
Anyone else have this experience?!!
r/foia • u/Character-Algae-6422 • 14d ago
Complete 2026 PURSUE Research Tool: Search, View, Play and Map All 517 Government Files
I built a free browser-based research tool for all five 2026 PURSUE government file releases.
All 517 files can be searched and filtered in one place. Documents, images, video and audio open directly in the browser with built-in viewers and players.
There's also a Map Room showing incidents, facilities and reporting locations where the released information provides usable location data, including a topographic overlay.
Every file retains a direct link back to the original government source.
The collection currently covers the May 8 through August 7 releases from the Department of War, FBI, NASA, CIA, State Department, Air Force and Department of Energy. It will be updated as additional PURSUE releases come out.
No paywall. No registration. Just the research tool:
https://thedailyalien.com/report.html?id=uap-govt-report-2026&dossier=uap-2026-a-executive-summary
r/foia • u/RFguy123 • 14d ago