From 74444.1076@COMPUSERVE.COMFri Apr 12 13:30:37 1996
Date: Fri, 12 Apr 1996 13:00:02 EDT
From: Jamal Mazrui <74444.1076@COMPUSERVE.COM>
Reply to: "EASI: Equal Access to Software and Information"
     <EASI@SJUVM.STJOHNS.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list EASI <EASI@SJUVM.STJOHNS.EDU>
Subject: Freedom of Info rights

This document answers frequently asked questions about rights to
federal records.  The Freedom of Information Act can help
advocates obtain documents about agency policies and decisions.
The Privacy Act can help individuals with disabilities ensure the
accuracy of case files about them.

Jamal Mazrui
National Council on Disability
Email: 74444.1076@compuserve.com

----------

Your Right to Federal Records

Questions and Answers
on the Freedom of Information Act
and the Privacy Act


Introduction

This brochure provides basic guidance about the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act of 1974.  A
question-and-answer format is used to present information about
these laws in a clear, simple manner to assist members of the
public in exercising their rights.  This publication is not
intended to be a comprehensive treatment of the complex issues
associated with the FOIA and the Privacy Act.
     The questions answered in this brochure are those frequently
asked by persons who contact the Federal Information Center (FIC)
for information on the FOIA and the Privacy Act.  The answers
were compiled by the FIC and the Consumer Information Center
(CIC) of the U.S. General Services Administration.  They were
reviewed by the Department of Justice, the agency responsible for
coordinating administration of the FOIA and encouraging agency
compliance.  The Office of Management and Budget, which has a
similar responsibility for the Privacy Act, reviewed the answers
to questions on the Privacy Act.
     The FOIA, enacted in 1966, generally provides that any
person has a right of access to federal agency records.  This
right of access is enforceable in court except for those records
that are protected from disclosure by the nine exemptions to the
FOIA, which are discussed in the text.
     Closely related to the Freedom of Information Act is the
Privacy Act, another federal law regarding federal government
records.  The Privacy Act establishes certain controls over how
the executive branch agencies of the federal government gather,
maintain, and disseminate personal information.  The Privacy Act
can also be used to obtain access to information, but it pertains
only to records the federal government keeps on individual
citizens and lawfully admitted resident aliens.  The FOIA, on the
other hand, covers all records under the custody and control of
federal executive branch agencies.
     This brochure contains information about the most
significant provisions of the FOIA and the Privacy Act. We hope
you find it helpful.
 The Freedom of Information Act

What information is available under the FOIA?

The FOIA provides access to all federal agency records (or
portions of those records) except those which are protected from
release by nine specific exemptions (reasons an agency may
withhold records from a requester).  The exemptions cover such
material as (1) classified national defense and foreign relations
information, (2) internal agency personnel rules and practices,
(3) material prohibited from disclosure by another law, (4) trade
secrets and other confidential business information, (5) certain
inter-agency or intra-agency communications, (6) personnel,
medical, and other files involving personal privacy, (7) certain
records compiled for law enforcement purposes, (8) matters
relating to the supervision of financial institutions, and (9)
geological information on oil wells.  The Freedom of Information
Act, as most recently amended in 1986, is printed in its entirety
later in the text [removed to conserve space].
     The FOIA does not apply to Congress or the courts, nor does
it apply to records of state or local governments.  However,
nearly all state governments have their own FOIA-type statutes.
You may request information about a state's law by writing the
attorney general of the state.
     The FOIA does not require a private organization or business
to release any information directly to the public, whether it has
been submitted to the government or not.  However, information
submitted by private firms to the federal government may be
available through a FOIA request provided that the information is
not a trade secret, confidential business information, or
protected by some other exemption.
     Under the FOIA, you may request and receive a copy of any
record that is in an agency's official files and is not covered
by one of the exemptions.  For example, suppose you have heard
that a certain toy is being investigated as a safety hazard and
you want to know the details.  In this case, the Consumer Product
Safety Commission could probably help you.  Perhaps you want to
read the latest inspection report on conditions at a nursing home
certified for Medicare.  Your local Social Security office keeps
such records on file.  Or, you might want to know if the Federal
Bureau of Investigation has a file that includes you.  In all
these examples, you may use the FOIA to request information from
the appropriate federal agency.  (See discussion below on how to
find the right agency and address.) When you make a FOIA request,
you must describe the material you want as specifically as
possible.  If the agency cannot identify what you have requested
with a reasonable amount of effort, it is under no obligation to
you.  The FOIA does not require agencies to do research for you,
to compile or analyze data, or to answer questions.

Whom do I contact in the federal government with my request? How
do I get the right address?

No one office handles all FOIA requests.  Each request for
information must be made to the particular agency that has the
records sought.  For example, if you want to know about an
investigation of motor vehicle defects, write to the Department
of Transportation.  If you want information about a work-related
accident at a nearby job site or manufacturing plant, write to
the Department of Labor (at its office in the region where the
accident occurred).  Some of the larger departments and agencies
have several Freedom of Information offices.  Some have one for
each major bureau or component; others have one for each region
of the country.
     You may have to do a little research to find the proper
office to handle your inquiry, but you will save time in the long
run if you send your request directly to the appropriate office.
For assistance, you can contact the Federal Information Center
(FIC).  With telephone numbers throughout the country, the FIC is
specially prepared to help you find the right agency, the right
office, and the right address.  The FIC is administered by the
U.S. General Services Administration.  See later text for
information on how to contact the FIC.  Also, a booklet called
the Consumer's Resource Handbook tells what federal agencies are
responsible for specific consumer problems and where to write for
assistance.  (The Handbook is free; to order, send your name and
address to:  Handbook, Pueblo, CO 81009).  The U.S. Government
Manual, the official handbook of the federal government, may also
be useful.  It describes the programs within each federal agency
and lists the names of top personnel and agency addresses. The
Manual is available at most public libraries or can be purchased
from the Superintendent of Documents.  (Ordering instructions
appear later in the text).

How do I request information under the FOIA?

When you get the agency's name and address, write a letter of
request to the agency's Freedom of Information Office. (Note on
the envelope and at the top of the letter "Freedom of Information
Act Request.") Identify the records you want as accurately as
possible.  Although you do not have to give the document's name
or title, your request must reasonably describe the records
sought.  Any facts or clues which you can furnish about the time,
place, persons, events, subjects, or other details of the
information or records you seek will be helpful to agency
personnel in deciding where to search and in determining which
records pertain to your request.  This can save you and the
government time and money and also improve your prospects for
getting what you want.
     A sample request is shown below.  Keep a copy of your
request.  You may need it in the event of an appeal or if your
original request is not answered.
     If you are not sure whether the information you want falls
under one of the nine exemptions, you may request it anyway. It
might help your case to state your reason(s) for such a request,
even though the FOIA does not require you to do so. (A requester
should, however, always provide the reason(s) for requesting a
waiver of fees.) Agencies usually have discretion to release
material that falls under these exemptions. Stating your
reason(s) for a request may persuade an agency to give you access
to records it might otherwise deny as legally exempt. In
addition, giving reasons for a request might help the agency to
locate information which is useful to you.

What about costs for getting records under the FOIA?

An agency may charge only for the actual cost of searching for
the material and the cost of making copies for you.  Search fees
usually range from $10 to $30 per hour; the rates generally
reflect salary levels of the personnel needed for the search.
The charge for copying letter-size and legal-size pages can be as
much as 25 cents apiece, but 10 cents per page is common in most
agencies.  Actual costs can vary from agency to agency.
     For noncommercial requests, agencies will not charge for the
first two hours of search time or for the first 100 pages of
photocopies.  Agencies also will waive further charges if the
total cost is minimal.  If fees are charged, you may receive a
waiver or reduction of fees if you request it and can show that
the information you are seeking will, when released, contribute
significantly to the public understanding of the operations or
activities of the government.

How long will it take to answer my request?

Federal agencies are required to answer your request for
information within 10 working days of receipt (excluding
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays).  If you have not received a
reply by the end of that time (be sure to allow for mailing
time), you may write a follow-up letter or telephone the agency
to ask about the delay.  Sometimes an agency may need more than
10 working days to find the records, examine them, possibly
consult other persons or agencies, and decide whether it will
disclose the records requested.  If so, the agency is required to
inform you before the deadline.  Agencies have the right to
extend this period up to 10 more working days.  A few agencies,
particularly law enforcement agencies, receive large numbers of
requests, some of which involve massive numbers of pages or
require particular care to process correctly.  If an agency has a
backlog of requests that were received before yours and has
assigned a reasonable portion of its staff to work on the
backlog, the agency usually will handle requests on a first-come,
first-served basis and may not respond to all requests within the
statutory period.

What happens if the agency refuses to give me the information?

An agency ordinarily will deny a FOIA request, in whole or in
part, only if it has a serious practical problem with granting
it, supported by a legal reason for denial (an exemption).  If an
agency denies your request, it must be able to prove that the
information is covered by one of the nine exemptions listed in
the Act.  The agency must give you the reason (the exemption) for
denial in writing and inform you of your right to appeal the
decision.

How do I appeal a denial?

You should promptly send a letter notifying the agency that you
want to appeal.  Most agencies require that appeals be made
within 30 to 45 days after you get a notification of denial.  The
denial letter should tell you to whom your appeal letter should
be addressed.  To appeal, simply ask the agency to review your
FOIA request and change its decision.  It is a good idea also to
give your reason(s) for believing that the denial was wrong.  Be
sure you refer to all communications you have had on the matter.
It will save time in acting on your appeal if you include copies
of the original request for information and the agency's letter
of denial.  You do not need to enclose copies of any documents
released to you.
     The agency has 20 working days after it receives your appeal
letter to respond.  Under certain circumstances, it may also take
an extension of up to 10 working days.  If, however, an agency
took 10 extra days to deny your initial request, it would not be
entitled to an extension on the appeal.

What can I do if my appeal is rejected?

If you are willing to invest the time and money, you may take the
matter to court.  You can file a FOIA lawsuit in the U.S.
District Court where you live, where you have your principal
place of business, where the documents are kept, or in the
District of Columbia.  In court, the agency will have to prove
that the withheld records, or the withheld portions of them, are
covered by one of the exemptions listed in the Act.  If you win a
substantial portion of your case, the court may require the
government to pay court costs and reasonable attorney's fees for
you.

The Privacy Act

What is the Privacy Act?

The federal government compiles a wide range of information on
individuals.  For example, if you were ever in the military or
employed by a federal agency, there should be records of your
service.  If you have ever applied for a federal grant or
received a student loan guaranteed by the government, you are
probably the subject of a file.  There are records on every
individual who has ever paid income taxes or received a check
from Social Security or Medicare.
     The Privacy Act, passed by Congress in 1974, establishes
certain controls over what personal information is collected by
the federal government and how it is used.  The Act guarantees
three primary rights: (1) the right to see records about
yourself, subject to the Privacy Act's exemptions, (2) the right
to amend that record if it is inaccurate, irrelevant, untimely,
or incomplete, and (3) the right to sue the government for
violations of the statute including permitting others to see your
records unless specifically permitted by the Act.
     It also provides for certain limitations on agency
information practices, such as requiring that information about a
person be collected from that person to the greatest extent
practicable; requiring agencies to ensure that their records are
relevant, accurate, timely, and complete; and prohibiting
agencies from maintaining information describing how an
individual exercises his or her First Amendment rights unless the
individual consents to it, a statute permits it, or it is within
the scope of an authorized law enforcement investigation.

What information may I request under the Privacy Act?

The Privacy Act applies only to documents about individuals
maintained by agencies in the executive branch of the federal
government.  It applies to these records only if they are in a
"system of records," which means they are retrieved by an
individual's name, social security number, or some other personal
identifier.  In other words, the Privacy Act does not apply to
information about individuals in records that are filed under
other subjects, such as organizations or events, unless the
agency also indexes and retrieves them by individual names or
other personal identifiers.  Like the FOIA, the Privacy Act
mainly applies to records held by federal agencies.
     There are 10 exemptions to the Privacy Act under which an
agency can withhold certain kinds of information from you.
Examples of exempt records are those containing classified
information on national security or those concerning criminal
investigations.  Another exemption often used by agencies is that
which protects information that would identify a confidential
source.  For example, if an investigator questions a person about
your qualifications for federal employment and that person agrees
to answer only if his identity is protected, then his name or any
information that would identify him can be withheld.  The 10
exemptions are set out in the Act.
     If you are interested in more details, you should read the
Privacy Act in its entirety.  Though the Act is too lengthy to
publish as part of this brochure, it is readily available.  It is
printed in the U.S. Code (Section 552a of Title 5), which can be
found in many public and school libraries.  You may also order a
copy of the Privacy Act of 1974, Public Law 93-579, from the
Superintendent of Documents. (Ordering instructions appear later
in the text.)

Whom do I contact in the federal government with my request? How
do I get the right address?

As with the FOIA, no one office handles all Privacy Act requests.
To locate the proper agency to handle your request, follow the
same guidelines as for the Freedom of Information Act.

How do I know if an agency has a file on me?


If you think a particular agency has a file pertaining to you,
you may write to the Privacy Act Officer or head of the agency.
Agencies are generally required to inform you, upon request,
whether or not they have files on you.  In addition, agencies are
required to report publicly the existence of all systems of
records they keep on individuals.  The Office of the Federal
Register publishes a listing of each agency's systems of records
notices, including exemptions, as well as its Privacy Act
regulations.  The multi-volume work, Privacy Act Issuances
Compilation, is updated every two years and can be found in most
large reference and university libraries.

How do I request information under the Privacy Act?

Write a letter to the agency that you believe may have a file
pertaining to you.  Address your request to the Privacy Act
Officer or head of the agency, such as "Secretary, Department of
Health and Human Services." Be sure to write "Privacy Act
Request" clearly on both the letter and the envelope.
     Most agencies require some proof of identity before they
will give you your records.  Therefore, it is a good idea to
enclose proof of identity (such as a copy of your driver's
license) with your full name and address.  Do not send the
original documents.  Remember to sign your request for
information, since your signature is a form of identification.
(A notarized signature is better and is required by many
agencies.) If an agency needs more proof of identity before
releasing your files, it will let you know.
     Give as much information as possible as to why you believe
the agency has records about you.  The agency should process your
request or contact you for additional information.

What about costs for getting records under the Privacy Act?

Under the Privacy Act, an agency can charge only for the cost of
copying records for you, not for time spent locating them.

How long will it take to answer my request?

Under the terms of the Privacy Act, the agency is not required to
reply to a request within a given period of time.  However, most
agencies have adopted the 10-day period in their regulations.  If
you do not receive any response within 4 weeks or so, you might
wish to write again, enclosing a copy of your original request.

What if I find that a federal agency has incorrect information
about me in the files?

The Privacy Act requires agencies maintaining personal
information about individuals to keep complete, accurate, timely,
and relevant files.  If, after seeing your file, you believe that
it contains incorrect information and should be amended, write to
the agency official who released the record to you.  Include all
pertinent documentation for each change you are requesting.  The
agency will let you know if further proof is needed.  The Act
requires an agency to notify you of the receipt of such an
amendment request within 10 working days of receipt.  If your
request for amendment is granted, the agency will tell you
precisely what will be done to amend the record.  You may appeal
any denial.  Even if an agency also denies your appeal, you have
the right to submit a statement explaining why you think the
record is wrong and the agency must attach your statement to the
record involved.  The agency must also tell you of your right to
go to court and have a judge review the denial of your appeal.

What can I do if I am denied information requested under the
Privacy Act?

There is no required procedure for Privacy Act appeals, but an
agency should advise you of its own appeal procedure when it
makes a denial.  Should the agency deny your appeal, you may take
the matter to court.  If you win your case, you may be awarded
court costs and attorney's fees.

A Comparison of the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy
Act

What is the relationship between FOIA and the Privacy Act?

Although the two laws were enacted for different purposes, there
is some similarity in their provisions.  Both the FOIA and the
Privacy Act give people the right of access to records held by
agencies of the federal government.  The FOIA's access rights are
given to "any person," but the Privacy Act's access rights are
only for the individual who is the subject of the records sought.
The FOIA applies to all records of federal agencies.  However,
the Privacy Act applies only to federal agency records in
"systems of records" which contain information about an
individual and are retrieved by the use of a name or personal
identifier.  Each law has a somewhat different set of fees, time
limits, and exemptions from its rights of access.  If you request
records about yourself under both laws, federal agencies may
withhold the records from you only to the extent the records are
exempt under both laws.
     If the information you want pertains to the activities of
federal agencies or of another person, you should make your
request under the FOIA, which covers all agency records.  If the
information you want is about yourself and you wish to avoid
possible search fees, you should make the request under the
Privacy Act, which covers most records of agencies that pertain
to individuals.  Sometimes you can use the FOIA to help you get
records about yourself that are not in a Privacy Act "system of
records." However, if the records you seek are covered only by
the FOIA, you must "reasonably describe" them and you may be
charged search fees.  If you are in doubt about which law applies
or would better suit your needs, you may refer to both in your
request letter.

Can I request information about other people?

The FOIA contains a very important provision concerning personal
privacy: Exemption 6.  It protects you from others who may seek
information about you, but it also may block you if you seek
information about others.  The FOIA's Exemption 6 permits an
agency to withhold information about individuals if disclosing it
would be a "clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy."
This includes, for example, almost all of the information in
medical files and much of the information in personnel files.
     The FOIA's Exemption 6 cannot be used to deny you access to
information about yourself, only to deny you information about
other persons.  To be covered by Exemption 6, the information
requested must be (1) about an identifiable individual, (2) an
invasion of the individual's privacy if disclosed to others, and
(3) "clearly unwarranted" to disclose.  Release of information
about an individual is considered an invasion of privacy if he or
she could reasonably object because of its personal nature or its
possible adverse effects upon himself or herself or family.  But
such information is not protected by Exemption 6 if the injury to
the individual is outweighed by a public interest favoring
disclosure.  For example, home addresses are generally exempt
from release for unspecified or random uses such as commercial
solicitation, but are not exempt from release to state income tax
authorities for state law enforcement.  If you were seeking
information about a federal employee's working status, an agency
usually would disclose at least his or her name, grade, salary,
job title, and permanent work location, but an agency will not
usually disclose similar information about an employee of a
private business.  However, federal employees do receive some
privacy protection.  For example, if you want to see the details
of an investigative report which led to an employee's demotion,
an agency might decide that disclosure of these details is not
justified on public interest grounds.  This would be so even
though the information generally would be available to the
demoted employee.
 Other Sources of Information

Consumer's Resource Handbook
Published by the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs, this
comprehensive booklet tells consumers how to complain and get
results.  It lists the federal agencies which are responsible for
resolving particular consumer problems and tells where help is
available in state and local governments and private
organizations.  Single copies are free and may be obtained by
writing to Handbook, Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, CO
81009.

U.S. Government Manual
This is the official handbook of the federal government.
Published by the National Archives and Records Administration, it
describes the programs in each federal agency, lists the names of
top personnel, the mailing address, and a general information
telephone number.  It is available in most public libraries or
can be purchased for $21.00 by sending a check or money order to
the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402.

The Privacy Act of 1974
This Act gives citizens the right to see files about themselves,
subject to its exemptions; to request an amendment if the record
is incomplete, untimely, irrelevant, or inaccurate; and the right
to sue the government for permitting others to see their files
unless specifically permitted by the Act.  A complete copy of the
Privacy Act can be found as Section 552a of Title 5 of the U.S.
Code.  Or you may order a copy of the Privacy Act, Public Law
93-579, from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, for $2.50. Please note
stock number 022-003-90866-8.

A Citizens Guide on Using the Freedom of Information Act and the
Privacy Act of 1974 to Request Government Records
This booklet, written by the Committee on Government Operations,
U.S. House of Representatives, provides a much more detailed
explanation of the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act
than this brochure.  It may be purchased for $2.25 from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402. Please note stock number 052-071-00929-9.

Freedom of Information Act Guide and Privacy Act Overview
This book is updated annually by the Justice Department's Office
of Information and Privacy.  It contains the "Justice
Department's Guide to the Freedom of Information Act," a
comprehensive summary of the law which includes a discussion of
the nine FOIA exemptions and its most important procedural
aspects.  The "Privacy Act Overview," which is prepared in
coordination with the Office of Management and Budget, is an
overview discussion of the provisions of the Privacy Act.  You
may order a copy from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.

Freedom of Information Case List
This book, updated annually by the Justice Department's Office of
Information and Privacy, contains up-to-date lists of cases under
the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, the Government
in the Sunshine Act, and the Federal Advisory Committee Act.  The
book includes the texts of those four statutes and a list of
related law review articles.  You may order a copy from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402.

FOIA Update
This newsletter of information and guidance for federal agencies,
published quarterly by the Justice Department's Office of
Information and Privacy, is available from the Superintendent of
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
Please note stock number 727-002-00000-6.  Annual subscription
price: $5.00 domestic; $6.25 foreign.

Federal Information Center

The Federal Information Center serves metropolitan areas around
the country.  You may call the number for your area or state for
aid in contacting the proper Federal agency with your Freedom of
Information Act or Privacy Act request.
     If your area is not listed, please call (301) 722-9098. If
you would prefer to write, please mail your inquiry to the
Federal Information Center, P.O. Box 600, Cumberland, MD 21502.
Users of Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD/TTY) may
call toll-free from any point in the United States by dialing
(800) 326-2996.

Alabama
Birmingham, Mobile
(800) 366-2998

Alaska
Anchorage (800) 729-8003

Arizona
Phoenix (800) 359-3997

Arkansas
Little Rock (800) 366-2998

California
Los Angeles, San Diego
San Francisco, Santa Ana
(800) 726-4995
Sacramento
(916) 973-1695

Colorado
Colorado Springs
Denver, Pueblo
(800) 359-3997

Connecticut
Hartford, New Haven
(800) 347-1997

Florida
Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville
Miami, Orlando,
St. Petersburg
Tampa, West Palm Beach
(800) 347-1997

Georgia
Atlanta (800) 347-1997

Hawaii
Honolulu (800) 733-5996

Illinois
Chicago (800) 366-2998

Indiana
Gary (800) 366-2998
Indianapolis (800) 347-1997

Iowa
All locations (800) 735-8004

Kansas
All locations
(800) 735-8004

Kentucky
Louisville (800) 347-1997

Louisiana
New Orleans (800) 366-2998

Maryland
Baltimore (800) 347-1997

Massachusetts
Boston (800) 347-1997

Michigan
Detroit, Grand Rapids
(800) 347-1997

Minnesota
Minneapolis (800) 366-2998

Missouri
St. Louis (800) 366-2998
All other locations
(800) 735-8004

Nebraska
Omaha (800) 366-2998
All other locations
(800) 735-8004

New Jersey
Newark, Trenton
(800) 347-1997

New Mexico
Albuquerque (800) 359-3997

New York
Albany, Buffalo, New York
Rochester, Syracuse
(800) 347-1997

North Carolina
Charlotte (800) 347-1997

Ohio
Akron, Cincinnati,
Cleveland, Columbus,
Dayton, Toledo
(800) 347-1997

Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Tulsa
(800) 366-2998

Oregon
Portland (800) 726-4995

Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
(800) 347-1997

Rhode Island
Providence (800) 347-1997

Tennessee
Chattanooga (800) 347-1997
Memphis, Nashville (800) 366-2998

Texas
Austin, Dallas,
Fort Worth,
Houston, San Antonio
(800) 366-2998

Utah
Salt Lake City (800) 359-3997

Virginia
Norfolk, Richmond, Roanoke
(800) 347-1997

Washington
Seattle, Tacoma
(800) 726-4995

Wisconsin
Milwaukee (800) 366-2998



Sample FOIA Request Letter

Date

Agency Head or FOIA Officer
Name of agency or agency component
Address (see discussion above on whom to contact)

Dear __________:

Under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. subsection 552, I
am requesting access to, or copies of [identify the records as
clearly and specifically as possible].

If there are any fees for copying or searching for the records,
please let me know before you fill my request.  [Or, please
supply the records without informing me of the cost if the fees
do not exceed $ ______, which I agree to pay.]

Optional: I am requesting this information because [state the
reason(s) if you think it will help you obtain the information].

If you deny all or any part of this request, please cite each
specific exemption you think justifies your refusal to release
the information and notify me of appeal procedures available
under the law.

Optional: If you have any questions about handling this request,
you may telephone me at __________(home phone) or at
___________(office phone).

Sincerely,


Name
Address
