The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal law that allows any person to request records from federal agencies. Some records, or parts of records, may be withheld if they fall under nine exemptions or are excluded from the Act’s coverage.
- Read the law: The Freedom of Information Act (current version)
If you have any questions regarding the HHS FOIA process, please review the HHS FOIA regulations. For assistance, you may email FOIARequest@hhs.gov.
New or Existing FOIA Requests
Submit a FOIA request, check the status of an existing request, and learn more about the FOIA statute.
FOIA Appeals
To appeal a denied FOIA request, please follow the instructions in your request’s disposition letter. Learn more about the process here.
FOIA Contacts
Contact the HHS FOIA Offices that respond to FOIA requests for HHS records.
FOIA Exemptions and Exclusions
Review the 9 exemptions and FOIA exclusions.
FOIA Library
Review our online repository of FOIA releases, agency policies and opinions, and other frequently requested records without the need to submit a FOIA request.
FOIA Reports
Get statistics on requests and updates on HHS FOIA implementation via our annual, quarterly, and Chief Officer Reports.
The Privacy Act
Learn about the rules and regulations that govern the Privacy Act.
Health Information Privacy
Find information about the HIPAA Privacy Rule and Part 2, including what health information is protected, used, and disclosed.