Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Subpoenas and Court Orders

If you are a Representative for a State or Federal agency, you have the right to request information from DFAS. How you request information and what is required to submit a request depends on your agency, select the most appropriate option below to learn more. 
Federal Employees - If you are a federal employee making a request in your official capacity as a representative of your agency, you do not need to obtain a subpoena/court or coordinate with our office to obtain records. Instead, you may contact the responsible DFAS mission area directly, visit DFAS Customer Service to learn more. You are also welcome to forward your subpoena or request  to the FOIA/Privacy office.

What Should I Submit for My Request to be Considered?

Whether you coordinate directly with the responsible DFAS mission area or the FOIA/Privacy office, your request must include the elements listed below. Failure to provide the required information to support your request will delay or prevent consideration of your request.
 


Detailed Reason For the Request

Information About the Individual To Whom the Records Pertain

  • Name
  • Full Social Security Number
  • Status (Federal Civilian Employee, Military Service Member, Annuitant, etc.)
  • Agency (or agencies) the Individual Works/Worked (if applicable)
  • Branch of Service (Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force - if applicable)
  • Component (Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, Military Academy - if applicable)

Description of Requested Information

  • Be as specific and detailed as possible
  • Spell out any acronyms
  • Do not request ‘any and/or all’ records
  • Form Number (if known)

Search Period 
Must be actual calendar dates: Start date (month/year) and End date (month/year).

How Do I Submit A Request?

Your request MUST be on Official Letterhead and contain your name, title, agency, phone number and email address. 

DFAS DOES NOT ACCEPT IN-PERSON SERVICE. Requests may be submitted via one of the methods below.

Option 1: Email: Submit your request from your official government address to 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
 
IMPORTANT: The United States Department of Defense is not subject to the jurisdiction of a State Court. See United States ex rel. Touhy v. Ragen, 340 U.S. 462 (1951), Boron Oil Co. v. Downie, 873 F.2d 67 (4th Cir. 1989); United States v. Bizzard, 674 F.2d 1382 (11th Cir. 1982); United States v. Marino, 658 F.2d 1120 (6th Cir. 1981).  Moreover, personal records and information are protected from disclosure to third parties pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, [5 U.S.C. § 552a; 32 C.F.R. § 97.6(b)(3)].

What Should I Submit for My Request to be Considered?

The FOIA/PA Office will only release personal records in response to a federal subpoena OR valid authorization from the individual to whom the records pertain or his/her legal representative.
 
  NOTE: An individual’s agreement [or non-objection] to the issuance of a subpoena does not constitute valid consent or authorization to release his/her personal records or information.
Subpoena/Court Order
Must be issued and signed by a Federal Judge, U.S. Attorney, or Assistant U.S. Attorney (officials of the U.S. Department of Justice who serve as the chief federal law enforcement officers in each of the 94 U.S. federal judicial districts).

Consent/Release Authority
Proper consent and authorization to release personal records or information requires the following:
 

Adobe Acrobat PDF Document Image PDF: Request Pertaining to Military Records (SF-180)

  


Copy of a Valid Government-issued Photo ID (Front & Back) or a Notarized Statement That Verifies The Individuals Identity
 

Description of Requested Records:

  • Name of document, report or information; be as specific and detailed as possible. We must be able to determine what you are seeking
  • If requesting emails, you must provide the complete email address(es) of the individual(s) concerned
  • Contract/Solicitation number (if applicable)
  • Voucher or check number (if applicable)
  • Complaint number (if applicable)
  • Form number (if known)
  • System name (if known)
  • Do not request ‘any and/or all’ records

Description of Requested Information

  • Be as specific and detailed as possible
  • Spell out any acronyms
  • Do not request ‘any and/or all’ records
  • Form Number (if known)

Information About the Individual To Whom the Records Pertain 

  • Federal Civilian Employee
  • 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 separately
  • DFAS does not maintain any records for the Coast Guard
  • Proof of Legal Representation (if applicable)
    • Court Appointment Documentation
    • Power of Attorney as Proof of Guardianship.
  • Proof of Death (If applicable)
    • Certificate of Death
    • Coroner’s Report of Death
    • Funeral Director’s Signed Statement of Death
    • Verdict of Coroner’s Jury

Search Period 
Must be actual calendar dates: Start date (month/year) and End date (month/year).

Information about the Individual/Organization Making the Request

  • Name
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Postal mail address

How Do I Submit A Request?

DFAS DOES NOT ACCEPT IN-PERSON SERVICE. Requests may be submitted via one of the methods below.

Option 1: Email: Submit your request from your official government address to 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 Additional Help With Your Request?

For additional assistance or questions about our office, visit DFAS FOIA Liaison.
 


Page Updated: Aug 26, 2026