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[NAMES]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY],[STATE] [ZIPCODE]
[EMAIL]
[PHONE]

[DATE]

FOIA Officer
[AGENCY]
[AGENCY_ADDRESS]

[STATUTE] Request

Dear FOIA Officer:

My name is [NAME] and I am a [TITLE] for [OUTLET]. Pursuant to the [STATUTE], I am writing to request the following:

- [RECORDS_REQUESTED1] between [START_DATE] to [END_DATE] from [SPECIFIC_OFFICES] including the following words/phrases [KEYWORD1], [KEYWORD2], [KEYWORD3], [KEYWORD4] 
- [RECORDS_REQUESTED2] between [START_DATE] to [END_DATE] from [SPECIFIC_OFFICES] including the following words/phrases [KEYWORD1], [KEYWORD2], [KEYWORD3], [KEYWORD4] 
- [RECORDS_REQUESTED3] between [START_DATE] to [END_DATE] from [SPECIFIC_OFFICES] including the following words/phrases [KEYWORD1], [KEYWORD2], [KEYWORD3], [KEYWORD4] 

**INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING SEARCH:**
1. Instructions Regarding "Leads":
As required by the relevant case law, [AGENCY] should follow any leads it discovers during the conduct of its searches and perform additional searches when said leads indicate that records may be located in another system. Failure to follow clear leads is a violation of [STATUTE].

2. Request for Public Records:
Please search for any records even if they are already publicly available.

3. Request Regarding Attachments, Photographs and Other Visual Materials:
I request that any photographs or other visual materials responsive to my request be released to me in their original or comparable forms, quality and resolution. For example, if a photograph was taken digitally, or if [AGENCY] maintains a photograph digitally, I request disclosure of the original digital image file, not a reduced resolution version of that image file nor a printout and scan of that image file.

Likewise, if a photograph was originally taken as a color photograph, I request disclosure of that photograph as a color image, not a black and white image. 

For video and audio files I request that they be provided in their complete, original and unedited format. 

Please contact me at the number or email listed below for any clarification on these points.

4. Request for Duplicate Pages:
l request disclosure of any and all supposedly "duplicate" pages. Scholars analyze records not only for the information available on any given page, but also for the relationships between that information and information on pages surrounding it. As such, though certain pages may have been previously released to me, the existence of those pages within new context renders them functionally new pages. As such, the only way to properly analyze released information is to analyze that information within its proper context. Therefore, I request disclosure of all "duplicate" pages.

5. Request for Search of Records Transferred to Other Agencies:
I request that in conducting its search, [AGENCY] should disclose releasable records even if they are available publicly through other sources outside the [AGENCY] office. If [AGENCY] is unable to do so, it should disclose where specifically the relevant records are available.

6. Regarding Destroyed Records
If any records responsive or potentially responsive to my request have been destroyed, my request includes, but is not limited to, any and all records relating or referring to the destruction of those records. This includes, but is not limited to, any and all records relating or referring to the events leading to the destruction of those records.

INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING SCOPE AND BREADTH OF REQUESTS
Please interpret the scope of this request broadly. [AGENCY] is instructed to interpret the scope of this request in the most liberal manner possible short of an interpretation that would lead to a conclusion that the request does not reasonably describe the records sought.

EXEMPTIONS AND SEGREGABILITY
I call your attention to a 21 January 2009 Memorandum concerning the Freedom of Information Act, in which the President states: 
All agencies should adopt a presumption in favor of disclosure, in order to renew their commitment to the principles embodied in FOIA 
[ .... ] The presumption of disclosure should be applied to all decisions involving FOIA.

In the same Memorandum, he added that government information should not be kept confidential "merely because public officials might be embarrassed by disclosure, because errors and failures might be revealed, or because of speculative or abstract fears.''

Finally, the President ordered that "The Freedom of Information Act should be administered with a clear presumption: In the case of doubt, openness prevails."

Nonetheless, if any responsive record or portion thereof is claimed to be exempt from production, FOIA statutes provide that even if some of the requested material is properly exempt from mandatory disclosure, all segregable portions must be released. If documents are denied in part or in whole, please specify which exemption(s) is (are) claimed for each passage or whole document denied. 

Please provide a complete itemized inventory and a detailed factual justification of total or partial denial of documents. Specify the number of pages in each document and the total number of pages pertaining to this request. For "classified" material denied, please include the following
information: the classification (confidential, secret or top secret); identity of the classifier; date or event for automatic declassification or classification review or downgrading; if applicable, identity of official authorizing extension of automatic declassification or review past six years; and, if applicable, the reason for extended classification beyond six years.

In excising material, please "black out" the material rather than "white out" or "cut out." I expect, as provided by FOIA, that the remaining non-exempt portions of documents will be released.

Please release all pages regardless of the extent of excising, even if all that remains are the stationary headings or administrative markings.

In addition, I ask that your agency exercise its discretion to release records which may be technically exempt, but where withholding serves no important public interest.


**Format requested:**
I request that any releases stemming from this request be provided to me in its original digital format (soft-copy), ideally through an online file transfer or digital portal system. Should this be impossible, material may be provided on a compact disk, flash drive, hard drive or other like media.

I request that you provide records as they become available, rather than all at once.

Please produce all records with administrative markings and pagination included.

Please send a memo (copy to me) to the appropriate units in your office to assure that no records related to this request are destroyed. Please advise of any destruction of records and include the date of and authority for such destruction.


**Fee waiver request (for U.S. federal FOIA):**
I am an [JOB_TITLE] for [CURRENT_OUTLET] covering a wide-range of issues. My reporting has been published in [PRIOR_OUTLETS] and other outlets.

I am willing to pay any reasonable expenses, up to $[AMOUNT], associated with this request, however, as the purpose of the requested disclosure is in full conformity with the statutory requirements for a waiver of fees, I formally request such a waiver. I request a waiver of all costs pursuant to 5 U.S.C. §552(a }( 4 HA)( iii l ("Documents shall be furnished without any charge ... if disclosure of the information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester ... ). Disclosure in this case meets the statutory criteria. and a foe waiver would fulfill Congress’s legislative intent in amending FOIA. Sec Judicial Watch. Inc. v. Rossotti. 326 F.3d 1309. 1312 (D.C. Cir. 2003) ("Congress amended FOIA to ensure that it be liberally construed in favor of waivers for noncommercial requesters.""). I incorporate by reference the explanation and attached materials in the above sections which demonstrates why the requested information is in the public interest.

Should my request for a fee waiver be denied, I request that I be categorized as a member of the news media for fee purposes pursuant to DoJ 5400.7-R C6.l.5.7. According to 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4l(A)(ii), which codified the ruling of Nat'I Security Archive v. Dept of Defense, 880 F.2d 1381 (D.C. Cir. 1989). the term "a representative of the news media" means any person or entity that gathers information of potential interest to a segment of the public. Uses its editorial skills to turn the raw materials into a distinct work, and distributes that work to an audience. 

If the fee waiver is denied, I also request that all charges be itemized in writing.

As the legislative history of FOIA reveals, it is critical that the phrase 'representative of the news media' be broadly interpreted if the act is to work as expected .... In fact, any person or organization which regularly publishes or disseminates information to the public … should qualit:y for waivers as a ·representative of the news media."' 132 Cong. Rec. SI 4298 ( daily ed. Sept. 30. 1986) (emphasis in original quotation); and 2) ''A request by a reporter or other person affiliated with a newspaper. magazine. television or radio station, or other entity that is in the business of publishing or otherwise disseminating information to the public qualifies under this provision.'' 132 Cong. Rec. I 19463 ( Oct. 8. I 986) ( emphasis in original quotation) J. Therefore, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act and relevant case law, I, Arijit Sen, should be considered a representative of the news media.

I have the intent and ability to disseminate this significant expansion of public understanding of government operations. The public interest presented in this case far outweighs any commercial interest of my own in the requested release. For these reasons and based upon their extensive elaboration above, I request a full waiver of fees be granted. 

I will appeal any denial of my request for a waiver administratively and to the courts if necessary.

**Expedited processing request (if applicable):**
I request expedited processing because:
- [Urgent need to inform the public about actual or alleged government activity]
- [Imminent threat to life or physical safety]

As a reminder [TIME_LIMIT_STATUTE] requries a response with [DAYS_NUMBER] days.

**Contact information:**
Please do not hesitate to contact me at [EMAIL] or [PHONE] if you have questions or need clarification about this request.

Thank you. I appreciate your time and attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

*Template Source: [Jason Leopold](https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/FOIA/DF_2023_00079_15_Oldest_Appeal_FOIA_Cases_cont.pdf)*

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from dataclasses import dataclass
from datetime import date, timedelta
from enum import Enum
from typing import Optional

class RequestStatus(Enum):
    DRAFTED = "drafted"
    SUBMITTED = "submitted"
    ACKNOWLEDGED = "acknowledged"
    PROCESSING = "processing"
    PARTIAL_RESPONSE = "partial_response"
    COMPLETED = "completed"
    APPEALED = "appealed"
    LITIGATION = "litigation"
    CLOSED = "closed"

@dataclass
class FOIARequest:
    id: str
    agency: str
    date_submitted: date
    description: str
    status: RequestStatus = RequestStatus.DRAFTED

    # Tracking
    tracking_number: Optional[str] = None
    assigned_officer: Optional[str] = None
    estimated_completion: Optional[date] = None

    # Fees
    fee_estimate: Optional[float] = None
    fee_waiver_requested: bool = True
    fee_waiver_granted: Optional[bool] = None

    # Timeline
    acknowledgment_date: Optional[date] = None
    response_dates: list[date] = None

    # Documents
    pages_received: int = 0
    pages_withheld: int = 0
    exemptions_cited: list[str] = None

    # Appeals
    appeal_deadline: Optional[date] = None
    appeal_filed: Optional[date] = None

    @property
    def statutory_deadline(self) -> date:
        """Federal FOIA: 20 business days from submission."""
        # Simplified - should account for business days
        return self.date_submitted + timedelta(days=28)

    @property
    def is_overdue(self) -> bool:
        return date.today() > self.statutory_deadline and self.status in [
            RequestStatus.SUBMITTED,
            RequestStatus.ACKNOWLEDGED,
            RequestStatus.PROCESSING
        ]

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[Your Name]
[Address]
[Date]

Chief FOIA Officer / FOIA Appeals Office
[Agency Name]
[Address]

RE: Administrative Appeal of FOIA Request [Tracking Number]

Dear Appeals Officer:

Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6), I appeal the [partial denial / full denial / inadequate search / fee waiver denial] of my FOIA request dated [original date], tracking number [number].

**Original request:**
[Brief description of what you requested]

**Agency response:**
On [date], the agency [describe response - denied, partially released, etc.]

**Grounds for appeal:**

[Choose applicable grounds:]

**1. Improper exemption claim**
The agency improperly invoked Exemption [X] because:
- [Specific argument about why exemption doesn't apply]
- [Legal precedent if known]
- [Foreseeable harm not demonstrated]

**2. Inadequate search**
The agency failed to conduct an adequate search because:
- [Specific offices not searched]
- [Relevant record systems overlooked]
- [Search terms too narrow]

**3. Failure to segregate**
The agency failed to release non-exempt portions as required. Specifically:
- [Identify documents where segregation possible]

**4. Fee waiver improperly denied**
[See fee waiver appeal template above]

**Relief requested:**
I request that the agency:
1. Release all improperly withheld records
2. Conduct additional searches of [specific locations]
3. Provide a detailed justification for any continued withholdings
4. Grant my fee waiver request

I expect a response within 20 business days.

Sincerely,
[Name]

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