OVERVIEW OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA)

The Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S. Code § 552, generally provides the public a right, enforceable  in court, to obtain access to federal agency records. Federal agencies are required to disclose any information requested under FOIA unless such records (or portions of it) are protected from public disclosure by certain FOIA Exemptions and Exclusions, which protect personal privacy, national security and law enforcement, amongst other entities.
 
Information that can be requested from DFAS include contracts, invoice payments, gross pay and agency policies or directives.
 
Under FOIA, federal agencies ARE NOT REQUIRED TO: a) Answer questions, b) Analyze data, c) Conduct research, d) Perform calculations or e) Create records in response to a FOIA request.
 
Before submitting a FOIA request, please check to see if the information you are seeking is available in our Electronic Reading Room or listed under another category on the DFAS website.
 

FOIA is a vehicle for requesting federal agency records; however, it DOES NOT SUPERSEDE The Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S. Code § 552a (as amended) which states, “No agency shall disclose any record, which is contained in a system of records by any means of communication to any person or to another agency, except pursuant to a written request by, or prior written consent of, the individual to whom the record pertains, unless disclosure is pursuant to the 12 Statutory Exemptions.”   However, the DoD Privacy Act Program (DoD 5400.11-R) provides that certain personal information such as gross base pay, High-3, length of service, etc., may be disclosed to third parties without consent from the individual to whom the information pertains.

DFAS was established in 1991. We began processing DoD civilian payrolls in 1995 and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in approximately 2006. Therefore, we do not have ANY records or information regarding individuals who were federal civilian employees prior to these years. Please direct your request to the National Archives and Records Administration.

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