How many days should a request for information be answered?

How many days should a request for information be answered?

20 working days
You normally have 20 working days to respond to a request. For a request to be valid under the Freedom of Information Act it must be in writing, but requesters do not have to mention the Act or direct their request to a designated member of staff.

How do you respond to a Freedom of Information request?

How to respond to an FOI request

1. release the information, if you have it.
2. acknowledge that you do not hold the information.
3. transfer the request to another authority, if they have this information.
4. withhold the information by applying an exemption (if you have valid reasons) and explain why.

How long does it take to get a response to a FOIA request?

Under the law, all federal agencies are required to respond to a FOIA request within 20 business days, unless there are “unusual circumstances.” This time period generally begins when the request is received by the FOIA office of the Department of Justice component that maintains the records sought.

What do you do if a Freedom of Information request is ignored?

If after going through your complaints procedure the requester is still dissatisfied, or if you fail to review your original decision, then the requester can complain to the ICO. Whenever you refuse a request you must always let people know about their right to complain to the ICO.

What makes a request valid?

A valid request The request must be in writing; The request must provide sufficient information as is reasonably necessary to identify the documents requested; and.

Can FOI requests be refused?

The Act recognises that freedom of information requests are not the only demand on the resources of a public authority. You can refuse a request if deciding whether you hold the information would mean you exceed the cost limit, for example, because it would require an extensive search in a number of locations.

When can a FOIA be denied?

Can the FCC deny my FOIA request? Yes. If the Bureau or Office that is the custodian of the records determines that there are no records responsive to your request, or that one or more of the FOIA exemptions described above applies to the documents you request, your request will be denied in writing.

Can a FOIA request be denied?

Why is my FOIA request taking so long?

Factors include the number of pages involved in processing the request and the need for consultations with other federal agencies. Requests within each track are processed and responded to on a first-in/first-out basis: Expedited – requests that have been granted expedited processing.

What documents can be disclosed under a Freedom of Information request?

The Act covers all recorded information held by a public authority. It is not limited to official documents and it covers, for example, drafts, emails, notes, recordings of telephone conversations and CCTV recordings.

What qualifies as a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act?

You can ask for any information you think a public authority may hold. The right only covers recorded information which includes information held on computers, in emails and in printed or handwritten documents as well as images, video and audio recordings.

On what grounds can SAR be refused?

Can we refuse to comply with a SAR? The ICO guidance says that you can only refuse to comply with a SAR where it is manifestly unfounded or excessive, taking into account whether it is repetitive. If you conclude you do not need to respond, you must to be able to justify your decision.

What are the documents exempt from FOI Act?

An exempt document is: a document of an agency which is exempt from the operation of the FOI Act in whole or in part (see Part 2 of these Guidelines) an official document of a minister that contains some matter not relating to the affairs of an agency or a Department of State (see Part 2), or.

Why would a FOIA be denied?

If the Bureau or Office that is the custodian of the records determines that there are no records responsive to your request, or that one or more of the FOIA exemptions described above applies to the documents you request, your request will be denied in writing.

Can you FOIA yourself?

The answer is yes. You can file a FOIA request on yourself using the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act. You can write a request letter or fill out an online request form if the agency provides one. After you finish writing the letter, you should submit it to the government agency that has your records.

Can you do a FOIA request on yourself?

In the United States, you can request government information about yourself using both the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act. You will need to type up a request or use a form if the government agency has one.

How do I check my EOIR FOIA status?

To follow up on the status of a FOIA request, call (703) 605-1297 and ask to speak to (1) the FOIA Specialist assigned to your request or (2) Crystal Souza, the FOIA Public Liaison.

What can you ask for in a FOIA request?

A FOIA request can be made for any agency record. You can also specify the format in which you wish to receive the records (for example, printed or electronic form). The FOIA does not require agencies to create new records or to conduct research, analyze data, or answer questions when responding to requests.

What is a vexatious request?

A request is considered vexatious, if it is likely to cause a disproportionate or unjustifiable level of distress, disruption or irritation. It is not a finding that a particular individual is vexatious and that any other request from them can automatically be refused – it is about the particular request.

How do I write a good FOI request?

You must make a Freedom of Information ( FOI ) request in writing….What to include

1. your name (not needed if you’re asking for environmental information)
2. a contact postal or email address.
3. a detailed description of the information you want – for example, you might want all information held on a subject, or just a summary.