Department of State FOIA Electronic Reading RoomDisplays (a) frequently requested documents released under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), (b) special collections of continuing public interest, and (c) regulations, policy statements, administrative rulings and manuals, and other reference materials. Links to other web sites related to FOIA and State Department/Foreign Policy records and publications.
The 1966 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) permits any person to request access to federal agency records or information. Federal agencies are required to disclose records upon receipt of a written request, except for records that are protected from disclosure by nine exemptions or three exclusions in the Act. Persons are also able to request documents in an electronic format under the 1996 Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments (EFOIA).