Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Privacy Act (PA)

Other FOIA Information

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REQUEST RECORDS ON BEHALF OF AN INDIVIDUAL
OTHER THAN YOURSELF

 
 
DO NOT SEND A PAYMENT WITH YOUR REQUEST
IF THE FOIA/PA OFFICE DETERMINES A FEE IS APPLICABLE, WE WILL ADVISE YOU PRIOR TO CONDUCTING A SEARCH

TO PROCESS YOUR REQUEST, WE REQUIRE:

  1. Consent/Authorization from the Individual to whom the records pertain or his/her legal representative
  2. Letter from Requester
  3. Information to Conduct a Search
  4. Proof of Legal Representation (if applicable)
  5. Proof of Death (If applicable) 
LETTER FROM REQUESTER
  • Records/information you are requesting must match what is listed on the consent/authorization. If it does not match, we will only release what is authorized by the Individual to whom the records pertain.
  • Must contain the date, your signature and contact information (email, phone number)
  • If you are an attorney or representative of a business/organization, your request must be on official letterhead.
INFORMATION TO CONDUCT A SEARCH
Full social security number of Individual to whom the records pertain

​Description of requested records
  • Be as specific as possible
  • Name of document, report, or information
  • Form number (if known)  
  • DO NOT use ‘any and/or all…information’, dates of birth, enlistment or separation, etc.; these are not a searchable parameters
Search Period
  • Start Date (Month/Year) AND End Date (Month/Year)
  • DO NOT use parameters such as date of birth, enlistment/separation date, start of employment, etc.
Status of the Individual to whom the records pertain for the requested period(s)
  • Federal Civilian Employee
  • Military Service Member
 If Individual is/was a Federal Civilian Employee, list:
  • Name of agency or agencies for which the Individual works/worked  
  • Dates of employment for each agency (if known)
 If Individual is/was a Military Service Member, list:
  • Branch of Service – Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force
  • Component – Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, Military Academy
  • If individual served in multiple branches/components, list each service period
  • DFAS does not maintain any records for the Coast Guard 
If requesting Army Reserve or Army National Guard information that is dated prior to 1976, we also require:
  • Name(s) of the Major Command(s) the Individual 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 the Individual served in each Unit
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

PROOF OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION
If the Individual to whom the records pertain is incapacitated and/or you are claiming Legal Representative status, we require 1 of the below documents as Proof of Guardianship:
  • Court Appointment Documentation
  • Power of Attorney
PROOF OF DEATH
If Individual to whom the records pertain is deceased, we require one (1) of the below documents as Proof of Death:
  • Certificate of Death 
  • Coroner’s Report of Death 
  • Funeral Director’s Signed Statement of Death
  • Verdict of Coroner’s Jury
DO NOT FORWARD YOUR REQUEST UNTIL YOU HAVE ALL THE REQUIRED INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS

Email dfas.foia@mail.mil and Fax (317) 275-0391 are the preferred submission methods.
 
You may also submit Online or mail your request to the address below.
 
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Corporate Communications – FOIA/PA
8899 East 56th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46249-0150
Page Updated February 13, 2024