FOIA Requests

Before making a request, first see if the information is publicly available. If the information is not publicly available, the following four methods are available for submitting FOIA requests:

Online Form: Submit FOIA requests using the FOIA.gov portal. This is the preferred method.
Submit a FOIA Request

Email: mailto:dcsa.quantico.dcsa-hq.mbx.foia@mail.mil
Fax: (878) 274-4859

Mailing Address:
Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
ATTN: FOIA Office
1137 Branchton Road
PO Box 618
Boyers, PA 16018
Note: Please ensure the method of your submission is adequate for transmitting sensitive information.

Guidelines for Submitting a FOIA Request

• Requesters should provide complete contact information (full name, mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address, if available).
• Requesters must reasonably describe the records sought so they can be located with a reasonable amount of effort. To the extent possible, requesters should include enough file-related information (type of document, title, subject area, date of creation, originating office) or enough event-related information (date and circumstances surrounding the event the record covers) to conduct a focused, time efficient search. Requests for records on deceased individuals must include a proof of death.

Remember: FOIA does not require agencies to create new records or to conduct research, analyze data, or answer questions when responding to requests. Questions posed as FOIA requests will not be processed.

The FOIA Public Liaison is responsible for assisting in reducing delays, increasing transparency and understanding of the status of requests, and answering questions requesters may have regarding responses to their FOIA requests. Requesters may contact the FOIA Public Liaison at (878) 274-4411, or by email at dcsa.quantico.dcsa-hq.mbx.foia@mail.mil. 

After Submission
Upon receipt, the designated PCLF component office will process the request. Component offices are referenced on our main page.

Each FOIA request is assigned a tracking number and the submitter will be sent an acknowledgement letter confirming receipt. DCSA PCLF personnel will obtain responsive records from the appropriate custodian, review them and make a release decision.

FOIA Processing Fees may incur pursuant to 32 CFR § 286.12. Requesters will be notified and the processing of the request may be halted until an agreement is reached.

The majority of requests are processed within twenty (20) business days from the date the request is received and determined to be a proper FOIA request. When a record is denied in full, or in part, the response will identify the exemption(s) cited and include appeal procedures.
 

Requesters have the right to appeal the DCSA FOI/P component office’s decision. An appeal must be received by DCSA within ninety (90) calendar days from the date of the final response letter. The appeal should include: (1) the reason(s) the requested information should be released, (2) an explanation why the agency response may have been in error, (3) a copy of the original request, (4) a copy of the final response letter, and (5) a reference to the tracking number provided in the final response letter.  Clearly mark the outside of the envelope and your appeal letter: “FOIA Appeal”.

Appeals may be submitted in writing to:

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
ATTN: FOIA Appellate Authority
1137 Branchton Road
P.O. Box 618
Boyers, PA 16018
Email: mailto:dcsa.quantico.dcsa-hq.mbx.foia@mail.mil

The appellant will be notified of the decision on their appeal in writing. A decision that upholds a components office’s determination, in whole or in part, will contain a statement that identifies the reasons for the affirmation, including any FOIA exemptions applied. The decision will also inform the appellant of their statutory right for judicial review of the Appellate authority’s decision.  Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552 (a)(4)(B), appellants may seek judicial review for any negative determinations in the District Court of the United States in the district (1) in which they reside; (2) in which they maintain their principal place of business; (3) where the disputed agency records are maintained or (4) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

If a decision is remanded or modified on appeal, the appellant will be notified of that determination in writing. The DCSA FOI/P component office will thereafter further process the request in accordance with that appeal determination and respond directly to the appellant.

Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 286 contains the rules and regulations that the public must follow when requesting records from DCSA under the FOIA. Additionally, the Directorate for Oversight and Compliance maintains a Department of Defense (DoD) FOIA Handbook for the public to use in obtaining information. This handbook contains information about specific procedures particular to the DoD with respect to the public requesting records. This handbook includes descriptions of DoD Components with the types of records they maintain.

The FOIA establishes nine exemptions from disclosure, which were created by Congress to permit agencies to protect certain information.

Exemption 1: Records that are properly and currently classified in the interest of national defense or foreign policy.
Exemption 2: Records related solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of the agency or its internal Components.
Exemption 3: Records specifically exempted from disclosure by statute.
Exemption 4: Records containing trade secrets or commercial or financial information that DCSA receives from persons or organizations outside the Government with the understanding that the information and/or record will be retained on a privileged or confidential basis.
Exemption 5: Inter-agency or intra-agency communications that are deliberative in nature and are considered part of a decision-making process.
Exemption 6: Personnel and medical files and/or records and similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personnel privacy.
Exemption 7: Investigative files/records compiled for law enforcement purposes which:

• (a) could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings.
• (b) would deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication.
• (c) could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
• (d) could reasonably be expected to disclose the identity of a confidential source.
• (e) would disclose techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions, or would disclose guidelines for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions, if such disclosure could reasonably be expected to risk circumvention of the law.
• (f) could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of any individual.

Exemption 8: Records that are contained in or related to examination, operating, or condition reports prepared by, on behalf of, or for the use of any agency responsible for the regulation or supervision of financial institutions.
Exemption 9: Geological and geophysical information and data, including maps, concerning wells.

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.

• Haleem v. DOD, No. 23-1471, 2024 WL 230289 (D.D.C. Jan. 22, 2024) (Boasberg, J.)
• Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals

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

• Reference “DCSA Regulations” in the Electronic Reading Room  

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

• No documents currently available

5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(2)(D) Records – Records released to the public, under the FOIA, that are or will likely become the subject of subsequent requests.