GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES YOU MAY CONTACT WHEN REQUESTING PERSONAL OR BUSINESS RECORDS USING FOIA/ PRIVACY ACT/S REQUEST/S

Congress passed the FOIA Act in 1966 and amended it in 1974, 1976, 1978, 1984 and 1986. They passed the Privacy Act in 1974, and amended it in 1982, and 1984. A person or persons can request information about almost any issue one can think of. There are of course some restrictions or exemptions, ie: National Security, Law Enforcement Records, Internal Agency Rules, Other Statutes, Certain Business Information, Inter and Intra-Agencies, Personal Privacy, Financial Institutions, etc.

Office Of The Attorney General:

Director, Office of Information and Privacy
Office of Policy Development, Department of Justice
10th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

The Attorney General of the United States is responsible for the overall supervision and direction of the administration and operation of the Department. The Attorney General represents the United States in legal matters generally and furnishes advice and opinions on legal matters to the President, the Cabinet, Heads of the Executive Departments, and other Agencies of the Federal Government.

Office Of The Deputy Attorney General:

Director, Office of Policy Development
Department of Justice
10th and Constitution Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

The Deputy Attorney General advises and assists the Attorney General in formulating and implementing Department policies and programs and in providing overall supervision and direction of all organizational units of the Department. The Deputy Attorney General also administers the attorney hiring program of the Department and maintains the following official personnel files: Appointed Assistant United States Attorneys; Assistant United States Attorney Applicants; Presidential Appointees; Department Presidential Appointee Applicants; Honor Program Applicants; Department Summer Intern Applicants; and department Attorneys for all Offices, Boards, and Divisions.

Office Of The Solicitor General:

Office Of The Solicitor General, Department of Justice
10th and Constitution Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

The Solicitor general is responsible for authorizing all Government Appeals and Petitions for Rehearing En Banc or Mandamus in the Courts of Appeals and petitions for Writ of Certiorari in the Supreme Court. In addition, the Solicitor General is responsible for briefing and arguing the Government's cases in the Supreme Court. The Office of the Solicitor General maintains records relating to appeals and petitions for which authorization to file has been sought, and maintains records on Supreme Court cases to which the United States or a Government agency was a party.

Office Of The Inspector General:

Office Of The Inspector General, Department of Justice
10th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

The Office of Inspector General provides leadership and assists management in promoting economy, efficiency, and effectiveness within the Department of Justice; enforces the fraud, waste, and abuse laws and regulations of the United States within the Department; and refers to the criminal and civil justice systems those individuals or organizations involved in financial, professional, or criminal mis-conduct relating to programs of the Department of Justice. Investigative records are maintained for all ongoing and closed matters received after April 14, 1989. Audit reports are maintained from 1986 and inspection reports are maintained from April 14, 1989.

The Office Of Legal Counsel:

The Assistant Attorney General
Office of Legal Counsel
Department of Justice
10th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

The Office of Legal Counsel prepares the formal opinions of the Attorney General and renders informal opinions and advice on questions of law to the various executive agencies and to other components of the Department of Justice. This office maintains an index of legal memoranda and an index of individuals who have written to or been referred to the office within the last two years.

The Office Of Policy Development:

Director, Office of Information and Privacy
Office of Policy Development, Department of Justice
10th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

The Office of Policy Development (OPD) serves as the Attorney General's principal policy development staff, and is involved in a wide range of issues central to the Department's mission. This office performs a high-level coordination role within the Department, including the necessary legal research and policy analysis to support major Department initiatives. The office reviews pending legislative proposals, and provides comments on selected pending legislation. OPD handles administrative appeals of denials of Department of Justice records under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts, and promotes Government-wide compliance with those Acts. OPD maintains background files on OPD policy, files on legislative proposals, working files for its staff support activities, and internal administrative files.

The Office Of Intelligence Policy And Review:

Counsel For Intelligence Policy
Office of Intelligence Policy and Review
Department of Justice
10th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

The Office of Intelligence Policy and Review provides formal and informal legal advice to the Attorney General and the United States Intelligence Agencies regarding questions of law and procedure that relate to the United States intelligence activities; performs review functions of certain intelligence activities; and prepares and presents applications for electronic surveillance to the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. This office maintains copies of legal memoranda; applications presented to Foreign Surveillance court; correspondence from persons who have written to the office and/or indices to individuals who have been referred to the office; and to legal memoranda, applications, and correspondence.

The Office Of Professional Responsibility:

Counsel, Office of Professional Responsibility
Department of Justice
10th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

The Office of Professional Responsibility oversees investigations od allegations of mis-conduct by Department of Justice attorneys, criminal investigators, or other law enforcement personnel; receives and reviews information or allegations concerning conduct by Department attorneys, criminal investigators, or other law enforcement personnel that may violate the law, Department Orders or Regulations, or applicable standards of conduct; and makes inquiries into such allegations. Those cases in which there appears to be a violation of the law are often referred to the investigative agency with jurisdiction over such alleged violations, although the office does conduct criminal investigations in many instances. Investigative records are maintained in the office on all ongoing cases. Closed cases are retained for a ten year period.

The Office Of Legislative Affairs:

Director of Congressional Relations
Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of Justice
10th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

The Office of Legislative Affairs provides or arranges for testimony by Department witnesses at congressional hearings, and receives for assignment in the Department, requests from congressional committees and subcommittees for information relating to congressional investigations and requests from Congress on behalf of constituents.

The Office Of Liaison Services:

Director, Office of Liaison Services:
Department of Justice
10th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

The Office of Liaison Services represents the Attorney General and the Department of Justice with external entities such as state, local, and foreign governments, the law enforcement community, business and professional groups, and civil rights organizations. This office deals with questions of Federal, State, and Foreign law and legislation, articulates Department policy, and prepares assessments of significant external legal developments. The office maintains working files for its staff support activities and internal administrative files.

Office Of Public Affairs:

Director, Office of Public Affairs
Department of Justice
10th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

The Office of Public Affairs answers questions from the media and advises the Attorney General and other officials of the Department on dealing with the media. The office keeps copies of press releases, speeches, and testimony.

Justice Management Division:

Executive Secretariat, Justice Management Division
Department of Justice
10th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

The Justice Management Division serves as the management arm of the Department of Justice, establishing internal administrative policy, administrative support services to Departmental organizations, and developing and directing administrative management programs. This division keeps Department of Justice personnel records, accounting and budget records/property, motor pool and parking records. In addition, the division maintains an index to classified documents and has custody of an inactive on civil disorders.

Executive Office For The United States:

Executive Office For United States Attorneys
Department of Justice
Patrick Henry Building, Room 6410
601 D Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

The 94 United States Attorneys in the field are responsible for handling all litigation affecting the interests of the United States, including the prosecution of criminal cases and the defense of civil cases, and for the conduct of grand jury proceedings. These offices maintain records on their legal cases, criminal investigations, and citizen complaints, as well as records relating to the administration of the office. Legal case files are not indexed or centralized in Washington D.C., but are located in the office of the United States Attorney who handled the case. Accordingly, requests for United States Attorney records should indicate a particular judicial district, city, or state. The usual administrative and personnel records are maintained in headquarters offices in Washington D.C. as well.

Antitrust Division:

Antitrust Division, Department of Justice
10th and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

The Antitrust Division is charged with the general enforcement, by criminal and civil proceedings, of Federal antitrust laws and other laws relating to the protection of competition and prohibition of monopolization and restraints of trade. This division maintains files of its investigations and legal cases, stores documents utilized during such investigations and litigation, and keeps records pertaining to the administration of the division.

Civil Division:

Civil Division, Department of Justice
10th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

The Civil Division represents the United States, its agencies, and its employees in general civil litigation that is not within the specialized fields of other divisions of the Department. It defends the Federal Government in suits challenging the constitutionality, lawfulness, or propriety of Presidential initiatives, Federal statutes, and Government programs and actions. It also initiates litigation to enforce various Federal statutes, including the nation's consumer protection and immigration laws. It handles tort claims against the Government, and the defense of Federal civilian and military officials sued personally for official actions. The division retains all record material relating to cases under its jurisdiction.

Civil Rights Division:

Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice
10th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

The Civil Rights Division conducts the litigation of cases to secure equal opportunity in the areas of employment, education, housing, voting, public accommodations and facilities, and Federally assisted programs. It also prosecutes criminal violations of Federal civil rights statutes. The division maintains records of all its legal cases, correspondence, and memoranda, as well as records on certain individuals protected under civil rights statutes. It also keeps files relating to the administration of the division.

Office Of Special Counsel For Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices:

Special Counsel, Office of Special Counsel
Department of Justice
P.O. Box 65490
Washington, D.C. 20035-5490

The Office of Special Counsel is responsible for enforcing the antidiscrimination provision of the Immigration Reform and Control Act through the investigation and prosecution of charges filed on the basis of citizenship status or national origin, and the initiation of independent investigations. In addition, the office conducts public education activities designed to increase awareness of the provision among employers and potential victims. The office maintains centrally classified case and matter files relating to these issues, as well as correspondence, research, and administrative records.

Criminal Division:

Criminal Division, Department of Justice
10th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

The Criminal Division is responsible for the enforcement of all Federal criminal statutes except those arising under antitrust, civil rights, income tax, and environmental protection laws. It is also responsible for the conduct on certain civil litigation, particularly that involving prison and parole matters, and civil litigation involving electronic surveillance. In addition, it exercises general supervisory jurisdiction over the United States Attorneys in criminal matters and litigation. The division maintains records of criminal proceedings necessary to the exercise of its supervisory role and case files where it has assumed direct responsibility for prosecution; records of the granting of immunity from Federal prosecution; various files pertaining to electronic surveillance, fraud, protection of witnesses in cases where their safety has been threatened, foreign agents and espionage, and prisoner exchange treaties; records concerning asset forfeiture and investigations of Nazi War Criminal criminals; and records relating to the administration of the division.

Bureau Of Prisons:

Office of The Director, Bureau of Prisons
320 First Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20534

The Bureau of Prisons is responsible for the care and confinement of offenders who are committed to its custody. The Bureau maintains records on current and former inmates of Federal penal and correctional institutions concerning such areas as sentence computation; institutions of confinement; criminal, social, educational, and occupational background; identification data; institutional work and housing assignments; education; disciplinary, health, and work data during incarceration; and reports relating to release planning, furlough, institutional adjustment, and parole violations. The Bureau of Prisons also maintains records relating to the administration of the agency.

Drug Enforcement Administration:

Chief, Drug Enforcement Administration
Washington, D.C. 20537

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) enforces the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States by bringing to the criminal and civil justice system of the United States, or any other competent jurisdiction, those involved in the growth, manufacturing, or distribution of controlled substances in or destined for the illicit traffic in the United States. DEA maintains investigative and intelligence files of criminal activities related to illicit drug traffic and drug abuse, rosters/lists of legitimate drug handlers, distributors and manufacturers, and records of security investigations. It also keeps various records pertaining to the administration of DEA.

Federal Bureau Of Investigation:

Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation
J, Edgar Hoover Building
9th and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20535

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigates violations of certain Federal statutes, collects evidence in legal cases in which the United States is or may be an interested party, and performs other duties specifically imposed by law or Presidential directive. The Bureau maintains files of its criminal, legal, and security investigations; a nationwide index of wanted persons, stolen property, criminal histories, and missing persons; fingerprint identification records; personnel records of FBI employees; and records of investigations of applicants for sensitive positions in the United States Government.

United States Parole Commission:

General Counsel, United States Parole Commission
5550 Friendship Boulevard, Suite 420
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815

The United States Parole Commission has sole authority to grant, modify or revoke paroles of Federal offenders and is responsible for the supervision of parolees and mandatory releases. The Commission maintains records regarding its hearings and decisions for prisoners and releases. It also maintains various administrative files.

United States Marshals Service:

Office of Legal Counsel
United States Marshals Service
600 Army Navy Drive
Arlington, Virginia 22202-4210

United States Marshals serve as law enforcement agents of the executive branch of the Government and, in that capacity, also serve as officers of the Federal Courts. The Service maintains files on individuals for whom Federal warrants have been issued; records on prisoners in the custody of the United States Marshals; background information and records related to threats to, and the protection of Government witnesses, U.S. Attorneys and their assistants, Federal jurists and other court officials; records on process served and executed in Federal court proceedings; and records on seized and forfeited property and evidence. It also maintains various records pertaining to the administration of the Service.

Immigration And Naturalization Service:

Director, Immigration and Naturalization Service
Department of Justice
425 Eye Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20536

The Immigration and Naturalization Service is charged with the administration and enforcement of immigration and nationality laws. The Service maintains files on all immigrants into the United States, transient visitors, undesirable aliens, violators of immigration and naturalization laws, petitioners for naturalization, and enemy aliens. It also maintains records pertaining to the investigation of illegal entry, smuggling, and fraudulent documents, as well as various records relating to the administration of the Service.

Executive Office For Immigration Review:

Office of The Director, Executive Office For Immigration Review
Department of Justice, Skyline Tower, Suite 2400
5107 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, Virginia 22041

The Executive Office For Immigration review (EIOR) includes the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge (OCIJ), and the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer (OCAHO). EIOR is responsible for the administrative adjudication and interpretation of the immigration law, including provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA). Offices of immigration judges in the field maintain records of cases brought before them involving deportation, exclusion, and related proceedings. Requests for their records should identify the local office where the record is maintained. The BIA is a quasi-judicial body which hears appeals of the decisions rendered by immigration judges and certain officers of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. OCAHO's administrative law judges hear cases related to the employer sanction and anti-discrimination provisions of IRCA. Official OCAHO files are centralized. EOIR also maintains various administrative records.

INTERPOL-United States National Central Bureau:

Chief, INTERPOL-United States National Central Bureau
Department of Justice
10th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

The INTERPOL-United States National Central Bureau (INTERPOL-USNCB) acts as liaison with International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to enable domestic law enforcement agencies to participate in an international exchange of criminal justice information. INTERPOL was created to promote mutual assistance among criminal police authorities in the prevention and suppression of international crime. INTERPOL-USNCB maintains investigative files of criminal activities and non-criminal files concerning matters of humanitarian assistance. It also maintains various administrative files.

Land And Natural Resources Division:

Chief, Policy, Legislation and Special Litigation Section
Land and Natural Resources Division, Department of Justice
10th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

The Land and Natural Resources Division supervises suits and matters of a civil nature relating to land, water, marine resources, and other interests in real property in which the United States itself, or as trustee for Indian tribes or individuals, has an interest. The Division also handles civil and criminal suits and matters relating to the protection of the environment. This Division maintains case files, correspondence files, and lists of appraisers, abstractors, attorneys, and title insurance companies.

Tax Division:

Tax Division, Department of Justice
10th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

The Tax Division's chief activity is to represent the Internal Revenue Service in civil and criminal litigation. It also represents other Federal agencies which may have problems with state and local taxing authorities. Consequently, information which is maintained by the Tax Division pertains mainly to civil and criminal tax litigation, either actual or contemplated. This information is stored in files which are indexed in central classification systems under the names of the individuals or entities who are parties to the litigation. In addition, there is some information maintained by the Tax Division which relates to various procedures and guidelines relevant to the processing of tax cases, as well as files on its administrative functions.