U.S. Department
of Justice
OIP Guidance
The FOIA is constantly evolving as court decisions, Presidential FOIA Memoranda, new Attorney General FOIA Guidelines are issued, and as Congress passes statutory amendments to the law.
In keeping with its statutory authority to encourage agency compliance with the FOIA, OIP regularly develops and issues guidance to all agencies on proper implementation of the FOIA.
In addition, guidance is issued on a wide range of legal and procedural issues involving the FOIA to improve administration of the law, to promote best practices, and to increase transparency.
Guidelines for 2025 Chief FOIA Officer Reports
Instructions and further information for agencies submitting the 2025 Chief FOIA Officer (CFO) Report.
OIP Guidance for Further Improvement Based on 2024 Chief FOIA Officer Report Review and Assessment
OIP's recommendations for federal agencies on FOIA training, FOIA websites, and calculating processing times after reviewing agencies' 2024 Chief FOIA Officer reports.
2024 Department of Justice Handbook for Agency Annual Freedom of Information Act Reports
2024 Guidance for FOIA professionals on proper tracking and detailed instructions for preparing the annual report
2023 Department of Justice Handbook for Agency Annual Freedom of Information Act Reports
2023 Guidance for FOIA professionals on proper tracking and detailed instructions for preparing the annual report
Guidelines for 2024 Chief FOIA Officer Reports
Instructions and further information for agencies submitting the 2024 Chief FOIA Officer (CFO) Report.
OIP Guidance for Further Improvement Based on 2023 Chief FOIA Officers Report Review and Assessment
OIP's recommendations for federal FOIA programs in monitoring simple track processing times, achieving interoperability with FOIA.gov, and applying the foreseeable harm standard after reviewing agencies' 2023 Chief FOIA Officer reports
Standard Operating Procedures for FOIA Offices
Guidance and recommendations to federal FOIA programs on creating and updating FOIA Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
OIP Guidance: Applying a Presumption of Openness and the Foreseeable Harm Standard
Guidance and recommendations to federal FOIA programs in implementing the foreseeable harm standard and applying a presumption of openness in line with the 2022 Attorney General FOIA guidelines
The Interface Between the FOIA and Privacy Act
Guidance and recommendations for federal FOIA programs in processing FOIA requests that involve Privacy Act records
Guidelines for 2023 Chief FOIA Officer Reports
Instructions and further information for agencies submitting the 2023 Chief FOIA Officer (CFO) Report.