FOIA Templates

The easiest option is probably this letter generator from the Student Press Law Center.

Here are some other options:

template1.doc

This is from the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council's website:

WI foia template_wfoic.doc

This is a good one from the Indiana Coalition for Open Government:

SAMPLE STATE LETTER_INDIANA.doc

Here is some boiler plate language from John Washburn on severability, exemption, and promptness to include at the end of your request.

All of these are really pretty similar, but by looking them over, you should be able to get an idea of the language and style that is standard for many requests. You will also get a good feel for what information you really ought not go without when writing a request, e.g. your contact info, a citation of the law, the date(s) of the records you are requesting, etc.

For some tips specific to wording your request, click here.

For some more general FOIA tips, click here.

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