Journalists · Researchers · Lawyers · Advocates
Fax FOIA Requests
With Proof of Receipt
The 20-day response clock starts when the agency receives your request. A timestamped fax receipt proves exactly when that was.
From $0.60 with credits · $1.29 pay-as-you-go · No account needed
Journalists · Researchers · Lawyers · Advocates
Fax FOIA Requests
With Proof of Receipt
The 20-day response clock starts when the agency receives your request — not when you send it. A timestamped fax receipt documents exactly when your FOIA hit the FBI, DOJ, DHS, or any other federal agency.
Send a FOIA request now
Timestamped receipt · No account required
📠 Fax a FOIA Request →✓ No account or subscription required
✓ From $0.60/fax with credits · $1.29 pay-as-you-go
✓ Certified delivery receipt — SHA-256 hash, verifiable at faxseal.com/verify
✓ Timestamped delivery receipt by email
✓ Files deleted within 24 hours
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The 20-day clock starts on receipt. Under 5 U.S.C. § 552, agencies must respond within 20 business days of receiving your request. A timestamped fax receipt is the cleanest proof of when that clock started — and the strongest evidence if you need to appeal or file an OGIS complaint for a missed deadline.
Federal agency FOIA fax numbers
Common FOIA offices — always verify the current number on the agency's own FOIA page at FOIA.gov before sending.
Numbers are publicly listed but change periodically. If a fax fails to deliver, you are not charged — verify the current number and retry.
Who sends FOIA requests by fax
Anyone who needs documented proof of when a federal agency received their request
Journalism & investigation
Journalists fax FOIA requests to document government activity, obtain records, and verify sources. Fax gives you a receipt — email gives you nothing.
Legal proceedings
Attorneys fax FOIA requests to obtain agency records for litigation, regulatory disputes, and administrative appeals.
Academic research
Researchers and institutions fax requests for policy documents, agency communications, and scientific data.
Transparency advocacy
Advocacy organizations track government activity and hold agencies accountable using FOIA-obtained records.
Government contracting
Contractors and consultants request agency records relevant to procurement decisions and contract disputes.
Civic oversight
Citizens, watchdog groups, and local journalists hold federal agencies accountable through public records requests.
How it works
Draft your request
Write your FOIA request letter as a PDF. Include your name, contact info, the specific records you want, and a fee waiver request if applicable.
Find the agency fax number
Use the directory below or verify with the agency's FOIA page at FOIA.gov. Numbers change — always confirm before sending.
Send & get your receipt
From $0.60 with credits · $1.29 pay-as-you-go. Timestamped receipt emailed the moment your fax is confirmed received.
Track your 20-day window
Agencies must respond within 20 business days of receipt. Your delivery timestamp is the official start of that clock.
Draft your request
Write your FOIA request letter as a PDF. Include your name, contact info, the specific records you want, and a fee waiver request if applicable.
Find the agency fax number
Use the directory below or verify with the agency's FOIA page at FOIA.gov. Numbers change — always confirm before sending.
Send & get your receipt
From $0.60 with credits · $1.29 pay-as-you-go. Timestamped receipt emailed the moment your fax is confirmed received.
Track your 20-day window
Agencies must respond within 20 business days of receipt. Your delivery timestamp is the official start of that clock.
Filing dozens of FOIA requests?
Newsrooms, law firms, and research teams can use the FaxSeal API to automate FOIA submissions at scale — each fax gets its own timestamped delivery receipt, logged and retrievable via the API.
Frequently asked questions
Why does proof of receipt matter for FOIA?
Under 5 U.S.C. § 552, agencies must respond within 20 business days of receiving your request — not of you sending it. A timestamped fax receipt documents exactly when the agency received your request, which matters if you need to appeal a missed deadline or file a complaint with the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS).
Do federal agencies actually accept FOIA requests by fax?
Yes. Most major federal agencies accept FOIA requests by fax, mail, or their online portal. Fax is often faster than mail and gives you better proof of receipt than email, which agencies may dispute receiving. Check the agency's FOIA contact page at FOIA.gov to confirm their current preferred method.
What should my FOIA request letter include?
A proper FOIA request should include: (1) your name and contact information, (2) a clear description of the records you seek, (3) the time period covered, (4) a request for a fee waiver if you're a journalist, researcher, or educational institution, and (5) your preferred format (electronic or paper). Resources like the Reporters Committee FOIA Letter Generator can help.
What is a timestamped delivery receipt?
When your fax is confirmed delivered, FaxSeal emails you a receipt showing the exact date and time of delivery, the fax number dialed, and a SHA-256 cryptographic hash of your document. This receipt is independently verifiable at faxseal.com/verify and is admissible as proof of transmission.
Can I fax multiple agencies at once?
You'll need to send a separate fax to each agency since FOIA requests must go to the specific agency that holds the records. With a FaxSeal account you can send in quick succession — each generates its own timestamped receipt.
What if the agency fax number has changed?
Agency fax numbers change periodically. Always verify the current number on the agency's own FOIA page (linked at FOIA.gov) before sending. If your fax fails to deliver, you're never charged — try again with the updated number.
Send your FOIA request now
Timestamped delivery receipt. No account required. From $0.60 with credits · $1.29 pay-as-you-go.