Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Electronic Reading Room

The Electronic Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Amendments of 1996 was enacted, in part, to make conventional reading room records more readily available while improving online access. In response, federal agencies established FOIA libraries, commonly referred to as Electronic Reading Room. 

Legislation mandates an agency make available:
  • Records that have become the subject of subsequent FOIA requests; or
  • Records that are likely to be the subject of multiple requests in the future, based upon the nature of the records and types of requests regularly received.
Below are the four categories of FOIA electronic records:
  • 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(2)(A) Records – Final opinions and orders made in the adjudication of cases that may be cited, used, or relied upon as precedents in future adjudications.
  • 5 U.S.C. § 552 (a)(2)(B) Records – Statements of policy and interpretations that have been adopted by the agency and are not published in the Federal Register.
  • 5 U.S.C. § 552 (a)(2)(C) Records – Administrative staff manuals and instructions, or portions thereof, that establish DoD policy or interpretations of policy that affect the public. See below.
  • 5 U.S.C. § 552 (a)(2)(D) Records – Records released to the public, under FOIA, that are or will likely become the subject of subsequent requests.   

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) & Privacy Act (PA) Resources

  • The Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552 – Provides any person with the statutory right to request information from executive branch agencies of the U.S. Government.
  • DoD, Privacy, Civil Liberties and FOIA Directorate – Ensures privacy and civil liberties are appropriately considered in the development and implementation of DoD policies.
  • Office of Information Policy – The mission of the Office of Information Policy (OIP) is to encourage and oversee agency compliance with the FOIA. OIP is responsible for developing government-wide policy guidance on all aspects of FOIA administration.
  • DOJ Guide to FOIA – A comprehensive legal guide to FOIA. The Guide includes detailed discussions of the FOIA’s procedural requirements, nine exemptions, and litigation considerations.  
  • Department of Defense (DoD) FOIA Handbook – This handbook is intended to assist you in making FOIA requests for DoD records. It will get you started and provide you with a brief description of your rights and the way DoD will respond to your requests.
  • Privacy Act of 1974 – Establishes a code of fair information practices that governs the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of information about individuals that is maintained in systems of records by federal agencies.
  • DoD Manual 5400.07 DoD FOIA Program – Provides procedural guidance concerning the processing of FOIA requests within the DoD.
  • DoD Instruction 5400.11 – Outlines DoD’s procedures for implementing the Privacy Act of 1974, including procedures for handing personally identifiable information (PII) breaches.
  • Privacy Act Authorities and Guidance –  Provides information to the public, stakeholders, and overseers; ensuring actions adhere to the Constitution, privacy laws, and regulations.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Reports

Department of War Defense Finance and Accounting Service


Page Updated: June 26, 2026