Office of Government Information Services (OGIS)

FOIA Ombuds Observer

FOIA Ombuds Observer - NARA and OGIS logo

The Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) offers dispute resolution services to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requesters and agencies. This function allows OGIS to observe and examine the interactions between requesters and agencies across the Federal government, and note common questions and issues that arise in the FOIA process. The FOIA Ombuds Observer addresses questions and issues frequently seen in our individual cases. Our goal is to increase efficiency and transparency in the FOIA process.

Issue

No. 2024-01: NCND/Glomar: When Agencies Neither Confirm Nor Deny the Existence of Records (March 29, 2024)
No. 2023-02: Using FOIA to Access Immigration Records (September 18, 2023)
No. 2023-01: Decommissioning of FOIAonline (May 19, 2023)
No. 2020-01: Estimated Dates of Completion: Best Practices for Requesters (March 31, 2020)

Archived Issues

No. 2018-01: Using FOIA to Access Immigration Records, Companion (September 26, 2018 - replaced by 2023-02)
No. 2018-01: Using FOIA to Access Immigration Records (August 29, 2018 - replaced by 2023-02)

Contact Us

Main Contact Information

The FOIA Ombuds Observer - We address questions and issues frequently seen in our individual cases concerning FOIA disputes between requesters and Federal agencies.

The FOIA Ombuds - Our Blog

OGIS Advisory Opinions - We use advisory opinions to highlight systemic issues that we observe in our unique role as the FOIA Ombuds, and to recommend improvements to the FOIA process.

Public Comments Submission Form

FOIA Advisory Committee Recommendations Dashboard