What is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?

The Freedom of information Act (FOIA) was enacted in 1966, and it generally provides 
that any person has a right of access to Federal agency records. This right of access 
is enforceable in court except for those records that are protected from disclosure by 
the nine exemptions to the FOIA 

What information is available under the FOIA?

FOIA provides access to agency records generated by that agency 
(or releasable portions of those records) except those protected 
from release by nine specific exemptions. 
The following are the nine FOIA exemptions and the information
 they cover: 

1. Classified national defense and foreign relations information 
2. Internal agency personnel rules and practices 
3. Material prohibited from disclosure by another law(how convienent)
4. Trade secrets and other confidential business information 
5. Certain inter-agency, or intra-agency communications 
6. Personnel, medical, and other files involving personal privacy 
7. Certain records compiled for law enforcement purposes 
8. Matters relating to the supervision of financial institutions 
9. Geological information on oil wells. 
 

How long will it take to answer my request?

Federal agencies are required to answer your request for 
information within 20-working days of receipt of your request 
at the office responsible for the records (excluding Saturdays,
Sundays, and holidays). For FOIA request received by e-mail,
the "receipt" date is considered the date the e-mail message 
is opened by the Bureau responsible for the information. 
Sometimes an agency may need more than 20-working days to find
the records, examine them, possibly consult with other persons
or agencies, and decide whether it will disclose the records 
requested. If so, the agency is required to inform you before 
the deadline. Agencies have the right to extend this period up
to 10 more working days.