What can you ask for in a Freedom of information request?

You can ask for any information you think a public authority may hold. The right only covers recorded information which includes information held on computers, in emails and in printed or handwritten documents as well as images, video and audio recordings.

How do you respond to a FOIA request?

Step 1: Make sure you clearly understand what records the requester is seeking. Step 2: Determine if you are likely to have records subject to the request. Step 3: Provide an estimate of search and review time and an estimate of pages if required. Step 4: What to do if expedited processing is required.

Which act are requests for personal information subject to?

The Data Protection Act 1998 gives any individual (data subject) the right to request access to all the information held about them. This is a Subject Access Request. Anyone can make a request for information – there are no restrictions on your age, nationality or where you live.

How do I make a freedom of information request to a local authority?

For your request to be dealt with according to the Freedom of Information Act, you must:

1. contact the relevant council directly;
2. make the request in writing, either by letter or email;
3. give your real name; and.
4. give an address to which the authority can reply. This can be a postal or email address.

Why would someone make a Freedom of Information request?

Freedom of information requests access copies of documents (except exempt documents) ask for information about you to be changed or annotated if it is incomplete, out of date, incorrect or misleading. seek a review of our decision not to allow you access to a document or not to amend your personal record.

Does the Freedom of Information Act apply to local governments?

The FOIA does not apply to the Congress, the courts, or the central offices of the White House, nor does it apply to records in the custody of state or local governments.

Do Freedom of Information requests cost money?

Freedom of Information requests – used by campaigners and journalists to ask questions of public bodies – are to remain free of charge, a minister says. Following a review of the law, Cabinet Office minister Matt Hancock said the FoI Act was “working well”.

Do you have to respond to a Freedom of Information request?

You normally have 20 working days to respond to a request. For a request to be valid under the Freedom of Information Act it must be in writing, but requesters do not have to mention the Act or direct their request to a designated member of staff.