BLS Freedom of Information Requests (FOIA)
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides any person the right to request access to
records held by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The request must be in writing and signed
by the person making the request; it must state that the request is being made pursuant
to the FOIA; and it must reasonably describe the records being requested. The Department
of Justice's homepage provides the full text of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
In making your request, you should be as specific as possible in describing the records
requested. The more specific you are about the records or types of records you are requesting,
the more likely it will be that the BLS can locate those records.
There are statutory FOIA exemptions that authorize the withholding of information in certain
specific circumstances. If the BLS does withhold information requested under the FOIA, we
will specify in our response the FOIA exemption under which the information is being withheld.
Under the FOIA statute, Federal agencies are required to respond to a FOIA request within
twenty business days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. In the BLS, this
period begins when the FOIA Disclosure Officer receives the request.
BLS FOIA Contacts
You should address your FOIA request for BLS records to:
U.S. Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
FOIA Disclosure Officer
Room. 4040 Postal Square Building
2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
Washington, DC 20212-0001
Or fax your request to:
Bureau of Labor Statistics
FOIA Disclosure Officer
(202) 691-7797
The BLS FOIA Coordinator can be reached at (202) 691-7628.