Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

This page will teach you how to submit a request for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) records. DHS receives and responds to more FOIA requests each year than any other U.S. Federal Agency.

As the DHS Chief FOIA Officer, the Chief Privacy Officer oversees the FOIA program and reports on performance. Learn more about the law that gives the public access to DHS records on our Policy and Compliance page.

Effective January 22, 2026, DHS is no longer accepting hard copy (mail) or emailed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)/Privacy Act requests for DHS records. To ensure timely processing, you must submit your records request through https://www.foia.gov or one of the DHS FOIA portals. More information can be found on How to Make FOIA Requests.

FY 2026 DHS Received FOIA Requests

199,971

**NOTE: The numbers shown above are only a snapshot in time and do not reflect live data.

Data is as of 5 January 2026

Search Available Records

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Search previously released records before submitting a request.

Search Available Records
How to Make FOIA Requests

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Learn how to submit a FOIA request or a Privacy Act request. Failure to submit all required information will result in delay or rejection of requests.

How to Make FOIA Requests
Submit a FOIA Request

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Submit a FOIA request to the DHS Privacy Office or a Component online.

Submit a FOIA Request
Check Status of Request

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See how to check the status of your FOIA request.

Check Status of Request
FOIA Policy & Compliance

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The DHS Privacy Office issues the Department's FOIA regulations and policies.

FOIA Policy & Compliance
FOIA Reports

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The DHS Privacy Office published the Annual FOIA Report and the Chief FOIA Officer Report.

FOIA Reports
Radical Transparency

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Grants and Terminated Contracts across DHS

Radical Transparency