USGS Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Office | U.S. Geological Survey
Source: https://www.usgs.gov/foia
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:12
USGS Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Office | U.S. Geological Survey
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Want to Request USGS Records?
Submit request here
Interested in a Publication?
Find it here
Interested in our Data?
Research here
NWIS: USGS Water Data for the Nation
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Need to Locate a Science Center?
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USGS Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Office
Home
Overview of USGS FOIA Process
FOIA Exemptions and Exclusions
E-Libraries
DOI FOIA Info
Other Resources
Connect
USGS Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Office
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a Federal statute which allows individuals to request access to federal agency records, except to the extent records are claimed as exempt from disclosure under one or more of the nine (9) exemptions of the FOIA.
FOIAxpresspal.doi.gov
Before making a request, first see if the information is already publicly available. You can find a lot of useful information on our webpages. If the information is not publicly available, submit a FOIA request.
Search or Submit Request
FOIA.gov
This site can help you determine if filing a FOIA request is the best option for you and help you create your request when you're ready.
Submit Request
Important DOI Links
FOIA Guidance
FOIA Appeals
FOIA Fees and Fee Waivers
DOI FOIA Contacts
Check FOIA Status
The
Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552, as amended, is based on the principle of openness in government and generally provides that any person has a right, enforceable in court, of access to Federal agency records, except to the extent that such records (or portions thereof) are protected from disclosure by one of nine exemptions or by one of three special law enforcement record exclusions. Under the spirit and provisions of the FOIA, Federal agencies are to make their records available to the public to the greatest extent possible.
Any individual, public or private organization/corporation, or foreign country may submit FOIA requests for a copy of U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) records. The request must:
be in writing (letter or either the
https://securefoia.doi.gov/
or via
FOIA.gov
reasonably describe the records sought; and
indicate a willingness to pay fees, (specify the amount they are willing to pay) or ask for a fee waiver.
Prior to submitting a FOIA request, research your subject and locate the appropriate
Mission Area
,
Region
, and
Science Center(s)
that may possess the records that you are seeking. Emailed requests are not an acceptable form of submission per our regulations. Requests can be submitted online via
https://securefoia.doi.gov/
or
FOIA.gov
or by mail.
If mailing a request, please send your request to:
USGS FOIA
P.O. Box 66783
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87193
Was this page helpful?
Skip to main content
Official websites use .gov
A
.gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A
lock (
)
or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Want to Request USGS Records?
Submit request here
Interested in a Publication?
Find it here
Interested in our Data?
Research here
NWIS: USGS Water Data for the Nation
Dive in here
Need to Locate a Science Center?
Search here
USGS Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Office
Home
Overview of USGS FOIA Process
FOIA Exemptions and Exclusions
E-Libraries
DOI FOIA Info
Other Resources
Connect
USGS Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Office
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a Federal statute which allows individuals to request access to federal agency records, except to the extent records are claimed as exempt from disclosure under one or more of the nine (9) exemptions of the FOIA.
FOIAxpresspal.doi.gov
Before making a request, first see if the information is already publicly available. You can find a lot of useful information on our webpages. If the information is not publicly available, submit a FOIA request.
Search or Submit Request
FOIA.gov
This site can help you determine if filing a FOIA request is the best option for you and help you create your request when you're ready.
Submit Request
Important DOI Links
FOIA Guidance
FOIA Appeals
FOIA Fees and Fee Waivers
DOI FOIA Contacts
Check FOIA Status
The
Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552, as amended, is based on the principle of openness in government and generally provides that any person has a right, enforceable in court, of access to Federal agency records, except to the extent that such records (or portions thereof) are protected from disclosure by one of nine exemptions or by one of three special law enforcement record exclusions. Under the spirit and provisions of the FOIA, Federal agencies are to make their records available to the public to the greatest extent possible.
Any individual, public or private organization/corporation, or foreign country may submit FOIA requests for a copy of U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) records. The request must:
be in writing (letter or either the
https://securefoia.doi.gov/
or via
FOIA.gov
reasonably describe the records sought; and
indicate a willingness to pay fees, (specify the amount they are willing to pay) or ask for a fee waiver.
Prior to submitting a FOIA request, research your subject and locate the appropriate
Mission Area
,
Region
, and
Science Center(s)
that may possess the records that you are seeking. Emailed requests are not an acceptable form of submission per our regulations. Requests can be submitted online via
https://securefoia.doi.gov/
or
FOIA.gov
or by mail.
If mailing a request, please send your request to:
USGS FOIA
P.O. Box 66783
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87193
Was this page helpful?