Supported agencies and best routes for getting your records
Some records are faster through an agency account, local office, or dedicated form. Others are a better fit for a formal Privacy Act + FOIA request. FOIA Friend helps you choose the best first step — and generate a stronger written request when a formal request is the right route.
Last verified: March 16, 2026. Always confirm the current agency instructions before submitting.
How to use this page
- Start with the fastest official route for the records you want.
- Use FOIA Friend when that route does not cover the records you need, or when you want a broader written request.
- Review special-case notes before you send anything.
Student aid
Department of Education / Federal Student Aid
Try this firstFederal student aid account history, FAFSA activity, loan and grant records
StudentAid.gov accountStudentAid.gov account
Start here for FAFSA history, loans, grants, repayment details, and downloadable account records.
Use FOIA Friend when: You need Department-held records not available in your StudentAid.gov account, or you want a broader written request to ED.
Important: Start with your student aid account before filing a formal request.
Benefits & health
Social Security Administration
Try this firstBenefits history, claims records, earnings information, and SS-5 / Numident requests
my Social Securitymy Social Security
Start here for many first-party SSA records. Some own-record requests are handled through your local SSA office or specific SSA forms.
Use FOIA Friend when: You need a broader written request for SSA-held records not available through the standard own-record route.
Important: Many own-record requests are better handled through SSA’s own-record / Privacy Act path or a local office, not the generic FOIA portal.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services / Medicare
Try this firstMedicare claims data and Medicare-related account records
Medicare claims / accountMedicare claims / account
Start here to view, download, or share Medicare claims data already available in your account.
Use FOIA Friend when: You need CMS or HHS records not available through your Medicare account.
Important: Medicaid records are often held by your state Medicaid agency, not CMS.
Department of Veterans Affairs
Try this firstVA medical records, benefits letters, payment history, and related personal records
VA recordsVA records
Start here for medical, benefits, and document requests that VA already makes available directly.
Use FOIA Friend when: You need a broader written request for VA-held records not available through VA’s direct records tools.
Important: VA indicates a FOIA request for personal records can delay processing.
Taxes & finances
Department of the Treasury / IRS
Try this firstTax transcripts, returns, and IRS account history
IRS Get TranscriptIRS Get Transcript
Start here for common tax records the IRS already provides without a FOIA request.
Use FOIA Friend when: The record you need is not available through routine IRS access, or you want a broader written request.
Important: Do not default into FOIA for common tax records.
Federal employment & vetting
Office of Personnel Management
Special routeFederal personnel records, SF-50s, OPF, and retirement records held by OPM
OPM SF-50 / OPF guidanceOPM SF-50 / OPF guidance
Current federal employees should start with their agency HR office for OPF / SF-50 requests. Former employees can follow OPM’s FAQ / NARA direction. Retirees can use Services Online for retirement-related records.
Use FOIA Friend when: You need a formal written request for OPM-held records after checking the correct contact route.
Important: Background investigation records should be requested through DCSA, not OPM.
Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
Try this firstBackground investigation and vetting records
Access your recordsAccess your records
Start here for background investigation records previously controlled by OPM’s National Background Investigations Bureau, now held by DCSA.
Use FOIA Friend when: You want a formal written first-party request or need a broader paper trail for DCSA-held records.
Important: Use this route for background investigation records, not the OPM card.
Immigration & border
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Try this firstImmigration case files, petitions, naturalization records
USCIS FOIA / Privacy Act request pageUSCIS FOIA / Privacy Act request page
Start here for immigration case files, petition records, naturalization certificates, and other USCIS-held documents.
Use FOIA Friend when: You want a broader written request or need to reference specific Privacy Act provisions in your letter.
Important: USCIS processes first-party immigration records through its own FOIA / Privacy Act intake.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Try this firstI-94 travel history, border crossing records
I-94 / travel historyI-94 / travel history
Start here if you need your I-94 arrival/departure record or travel history. Available online without a FOIA request.
Use FOIA Friend when: You need broader CBP-held records beyond I-94 / travel history.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Try this firstImmigration enforcement records, detention records
Request ICE recordsRequest ICE records
Start here to request immigration enforcement records, detention records, or other ICE-held documents.
Use FOIA Friend when: You want a broader written request or need to reference specific Privacy Act provisions.
Executive Office for Immigration Review
Try this firstImmigration court Records of Proceeding, hearing transcripts
Request a copy of my file (ROP)Request a copy of my file (ROP)
Parties to immigration proceedings should start here for their Record of Proceeding. This is often faster than a FOIA request.
Use FOIA Friend when: You need broader EOIR records, you are not a party to the proceeding, or you want a formal FOIA / Privacy Act letter.
Important: The Record of Proceeding (ROP) route is for parties to proceedings. FOIA is better for non-party or broader requests.
Department of State
Try this firstPassport records, visa records, consular files
Get copies of passport recordsGet copies of passport records
Start here for copies of your own passport records. This is often faster than a FOIA request.
Use FOIA Friend when: You need other State Department records, third-party or deceased-person passport records, or a broader written request.
DHS Traveler Redress / TSA
Try this firstTravel screening issues, watchlist redress, TSA records
DHS TRIPDHS TRIP
Start here for travel screening issues, watchlist redress, or if you’ve been delayed or denied boarding. DHS TRIP is the official redress channel.
Use FOIA Friend when: You need TSA-held records through FOIA / Privacy Act, or a broader written request beyond the DHS TRIP process.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Try this firstIdentity history checks, criminal records, investigation files
Identity History Summary CheckIdentity History Summary Check
Start here for an Identity History Summary Check (criminal background). This is a separate process from FOIA / Privacy Act requests.
Use FOIA Friend when: You need FBI-held records beyond an Identity History Summary Check, or you want a formal FOIA / Privacy Act request.
Important: Identity History Summary Checks and FOIA / Privacy requests are different processes with different requirements.
Military & service records
National Archives / NPRC
Try this firstMilitary personnel records, DD-214s, service records
Request military service recordsRequest military service records
Start here for military personnel records, DD-214s, and other service records held by the National Personnel Records Center.
Use FOIA Friend when: You need records beyond what NPRC provides through its standard request process.
Selective Service System
Try this firstRegistration verification, proof of registration, Status Information Letters
Verify registrationVerify registration
Start here to verify your Selective Service registration status. You can also get proof of registration or a Status Information Letter.
Use FOIA Friend when: You need records beyond verification, proof, or a Status Information Letter.
Special cases
Department of Labor
Special caseFederal labor-program records actually held by DOL
Department of Labor FOIADepartment of Labor FOIA
Use this only when DOL itself is likely to hold the records you want.
Use FOIA Friend when: You have a clear reason to believe the records are held by DOL.
Important: Most unemployment insurance records are handled by state agencies, not DOL.
Common questions
What’s the difference between FOIA Friend and an agency’s direct records tool?
Should I use FOIA, the Privacy Act, or both for my own records?
When should I start with an agency account, local office, or dedicated form instead?
Can FOIA Friend ask whether my data was used to train AI?
Need a broader written request?
If the official route above doesn't cover the records you need, FOIA Friend can draft a formal Privacy Act + FOIA letter for the agencies you select — free to download.
Start a Request — Free