Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) Officers are the principal point of contact for persons requesting public records from any District of Columbia government agency. Pursuant to D.C. Official Code § 2-537, any person denied the right to inspect a public record of a public body (except a record in possession of the Council of the District of Columbia or the Office of the Attorney General), may petition the Mayor to review the public record to determine whether it may be withheld from public inspection. Such petitions or appeals must be resolved and a final written decision must be issued to the person seeking production of the public records requested.
The Mayor’s Office of Legal Counsel (“MOLC”) is responsible for adjudicating administrative appeals of agency FOIA decisions on behalf of the Mayor. An administrative appeal may be submitted online via the District of Columbia Government Public FOIA Portal, which may be found here: http://dc.gov/page/freedom-information-act-foia-appeals
An appeal may also be submitted via mail or email to the MOLC. It must include a copy of the original request as well as a copy of the public body's written denial letter. In addition, the appeal must include a written statement of the argument, circumstances, or reasons supporting disclosure of the public records sought by the request. The appeal letter must include "Freedom of Information Act Appeal" or "FOIA Appeal" in the subject line of the letter, as well as clearly marked on the outside of the envelope. A copy of the appeal must also be provided to the FOIA Officer of the public body whose denial is being appealed.
All written FOIA appeals may be submitted to: [email protected] (preferred)
or:
The Mayor’s Office of Legal Counsel
FOIA Appeals
John A. Wilson Building, Suite 407
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004
FOIA appeals may be viewed here: