Plain-English guides to the Freedom of Information Act by Alberto A. Hernandez, Esq., The FOIA Lawyer.https://foia.lawyer/en-ushttps://foia.lawyer/articles/how-much-does-a-foia-request-cost/https://foia.lawyer/articles/how-much-does-a-foia-request-cost/FOIA fees cover search, review, and duplication, but most requesters pay little or nothing. Understand fee categories, the $25 threshold, fee waivers, and how to control costs.Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThow much does a foia request costfoia feesfoia fee waiverfoia duplication feesis foia freehttps://foia.lawyer/articles/what-can-i-request-under-foia/https://foia.lawyer/articles/what-can-i-request-under-foia/From contracts and emails to law enforcement files and scientific data, FOIA reaches a vast range of federal records. Learn what you can request, and what falls outside FOIA.Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTwhat can i request under foiafoia recordsagency records foiarequest own fbi filefoia government contractshttps://foia.lawyer/articles/how-to-check-your-foia-request-status/https://foia.lawyer/articles/how-to-check-your-foia-request-status/How to track a pending FOIA request using tracking numbers, agency portals, the FOIA Public Liaison, and OGIS, plus what to do when an agency misses the deadline.Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTcheck foia request statusfoia tracking numberfoia public liaisonogis foiafoia status updatehttps://foia.lawyer/articles/how-to-make-a-foia-request/https://foia.lawyer/articles/how-to-make-a-foia-request/A practical eight-step guide to filing an effective FOIA request: identifying the right agency, writing a specific request, fee waivers, expedited processing, and follow-up.Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThow to make a foia requesthow to file a foia requestfoia request letterfoia request examplesample foia requesthttps://foia.lawyer/articles/who-can-submit-a-foia-request/https://foia.lawyer/articles/who-can-submit-a-foia-request/Under FOIA, 'any person' can request federal records, including non-citizens, businesses, journalists, and researchers. Here is who qualifies and what that means for you.Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTwho can submit a foia requestfoia eligibilitycan foreign nationals file foiaany person foiafoia for businesseshttps://foia.lawyer/articles/the-9-exemptions-to-a-foia-request/https://foia.lawyer/articles/the-9-exemptions-to-a-foia-request/FOIA's nine exemptions cover national security, privacy, trade secrets, law enforcement, and more. Learn how each one works and why exemptions are permissive, not mandatory.Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTfoia exemptions9 foia exemptionsexemption 5 foiaexemption 7 foiafoia withholdinghttps://foia.lawyer/articles/how-long-does-a-foia-request-take/https://foia.lawyer/articles/how-long-does-a-foia-request-take/FOIA sets a 20-business-day deadline, but real processing times run far longer. Understand the timelines, extensions, expedited processing, and your options when agencies are late.Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThow long does a foia request takefoia 20 day deadlinefoia processing timeexpedited foia processingfoia delayshttps://foia.lawyer/articles/what-is-a-foia-request/https://foia.lawyer/articles/what-is-a-foia-request/A FOIA request is a formal written demand for federal agency records under the Freedom of Information Act. Here is what FOIA is, how it works, and why it matters.Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMTwhat is a foia requestfreedom of information actfoia meaningfoia explainedgovernment records request