Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Privacy Act (PA) Requests

The mission of the FOIA/PA office is to safeguard your personal information by embedding and enforcing protections, while balancing the needs and requirements of DFAS with the privacy interests and concerns of the potentially impacted individual.

What is The Privacy Act of 1974?

The Privacy Act of 1974  (5 U.S.C. 552a, as amended) is a code of Fair Information Practices that attempts to regulate the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of personal information by federal executive branch agencies.

Provisions of the Privacy Act include:
  • Restricting the disclosure of personally identifiable records maintained by federal agencies 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
  • Granting you the right to request access to agency records maintained about you
  • Granting you the right to seek amendment of agency records maintained about you
  • Requiring agencies to comply with statutory norms for collection, maintenance, and dissemination of records

What Information Can I Request From DFAS?

Information that can generally be requested includes:
  • Pay-related records (Leave & Earnings Statements (LES), Retiree Account Statement (RAS), Tax forms, etc.)
  • Debt Records
  • Income Withholding Orders/Terminations
  • Personnel/Human Resource documents
  We are not required to answer questions, analyze data, conduct research, perform calculations, compile lists or create records in response to a records request.

What Does it Cost?

Under regulations there is no fee to submit a Privacy Act request to DFAS.

What Should I Submit for My Request to be Considered?

We do not require a specific form to make a PA request. However, you may utilize the Request Pertaining to Military Records (SF-180). The details you must include depends on who is making the request. Select the most appropriate option below.
 
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Personal Records or Information
If you are submitting an inquiry on behalf of someone other than yourself, please review Request by a Third Party below.

Information About Yourself

  • Full Name
  • Full Social Security Number
  • Phone Number
  • Email Address
  • Status (Federal Civilian Employee or Military Service Member/Retiree)
  • Branch of Service (Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force - if applicable)
  • Component (Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, Military Academy - if applicable) - If you served in multiple branches/components, list each service period separately

Search Period

  • Start Date (month/year) and End Date (month/year or ‘to present’)

Detailed Description of Requested Records

  • Name of document, report, or information; be as specific and detailed as possible
  • Spell out acronyms; avoid operational lingo.
  • Do not request ‘any and/or all’ records; this is not a searchable parameter
  • Form Number (if known)

Army Reserve or Army National Guard Information Dated Prior To 1976, you must also provide:

  • Name(s) of the Major Command(s) Member Was Assigned To During The Requested Period(s)
  • Name(s) of the Unit(s) of Assignment for Each Command
  • City/State for Each Unit of Assignment
  • Dates Served In Each Unit

Proof of Your Identity - Include one of the following

  • Copy (front and back) of a Valid, Government-issued Photo ID
  • A Notarized Statement that Verifies Your Identity
Keep in mind...
  • Regardless of the information you’re requesting, be specific. For us to assist we must be able to determine what information or documentation you are requesting. Failure to provide enough information to support your request will delay or prevent consideration of your request.
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Request by a Third Party
A Third Party is defined as someone other than the individual to whom the records pertain. This includes legal representatives. To request records or information on make on behalf of an individual other than yourself, your submission must contain the below.

Information About Yourself

  • Full Name
  • Phone Number
  • Email Address
  • Title (if applicable)
  • If you represent a business or organization, your request must be on official letterhead and contain your signature.

Detailed Description of Requested Records

  • Name of document, report, or information; be as specific and detailed as possible
  • You may attach a subpoena which lists the records you are requesting
  • Do not request ‘any and/or all’ records; this is not a searchable parameter
  • Form Number (if known)

Search Period

  • Start Date (month/year) and End Date (month/year or ‘to present’)

A Consent/Release Document Containing all the Following

  • Name of the individual to whom the record(s) pertain
  • Full Social Security Number of the individual to whom the record(s) pertain
  • Statement that explicitly authorizes the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) to release his/her records
  • Name, postal address, phone, and email of the individual who is to receive the records
  • Detailed list/description of the records to be released
  • Status (Federal Civilian Employee or Military Service Member/Retiree) of the individual to whom the record(s) pertain
  • Branch of Service (Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force - if applicable) of the individual to whom the record(s) pertain
  • Component (Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, Military Academy - if applicable) - If the individual to whom the record(s) pertain served in multiple branches/components, list each service period separately
  • Signature of the individual to whom the record(s) pertain & Date

Army Reserve or Army National Guard Information Dated Prior To 1976, you must also provide:

  • Name(s) of the Major Command(s) Member Was Assigned To During The Requested Period(s)
  • Name(s) of the Unit(s) of Assignment for Each Command
  • City/State for Each Unit of Assignment
  • Dates Served In Each Unit

Proof of Your Identity - Include one of the following

  • Copy (front and back) of a Valid, Government-issued Photo ID
  • A Notarized Statement that Verifies Your Identity
Keep in mind...
  • In lieu of a written/typed statement, the individual to whom the records pertain may utilize the Request Pertaining to Military Records (SF-180) or Power of Attorney (POA) to authorize the release of personal records. Proof of identity and contact information must accompany the signed SF-180 or POA.

How Do I Submit a PA Request?

You may submit your request via any of the methods below. DO NOT SEND MULTIPLE INQUIRIES.

Option 1: Email: dfas.foia@mail.mil

Option 2: Online Portal: FOIA.gov

Option 3: Fax: (317) 275-0391

Option 4: U.S. Mail: 
Defense Finance and Accounting Service   
Corporate Communications – FOIA/PA                    
8899 East 56th Street 
Indianapolis, IN 46249-0150

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Do You Need Help With Your Pay or Allowances?

If you have questions concerning your pay, benefits, entitlements, deductions, or other payroll-based questions, visit DFAS Customer Service for assistance.
 


Page Updated: Aug. 26, 2026