Federal Bureau of Prisons: where to mail a FOIA request
To send a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Federal Bureau of Prisons, mail it to Federal Bureau of Prisons, FOIA/PA Section, Office of General Counsel, Room 924, 320 First Street NW, Washington, DC 20534. BOP's FOIA/PA Section handles requests for federal-inmate records — a former inmate requesting their own custody file is one of the most common request types here, distinct from writing to a currently incarcerated person directly at their facility. Include a clear description of the records you want, any identifying details, and a return address, and confirm the office on the source below before anything time-sensitive.
Federal Bureau of Prisons — FOIA request address
Federal Bureau of Prisons FOIA/PA Section, Office of General Counsel Room 924 320 First Street NW Washington DC 20534
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests only. Regular correspondence, complaints, or media inquiries should go to Federal Bureau of Prisons's general contact address instead.
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Federal Bureau of PrisonsFOIA/PA Section, Office of General Counsel320 First Street NWWashington, DC 20534
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Key facts
- This is Federal Bureau of Prisons's published FOIA correspondence address — a different mailbox from its general correspondence address.
- Requests are made under the Freedom of Information Act.
- Statutory response window: 20 business days from receipt, extendable for large or complex requests.
- FOIA itself has no filing fee, though an agency can bill for search and duplication time beyond the first free hours/pages — most individual record requests fall under that free threshold.
- If refused or ignored, you can appeal to the agency's FOIA appeals office, then the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) or federal court.
- PostPal prints your request and mails it for you — no printer, envelope, stamps, or post office trip.
How to send your letter
- 1
Write your request
State clearly that this is a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request and describe the records you want as specifically as you can — dates, names, file or reference numbers, and the office or program area, if you know them. Vague requests take longer to process.
- 2
Include what they need to identify you
If you're requesting your own file, include your full name and any identifying number the institution uses (case, claim, or file number) so they can locate the right record. FOIA itself has no filing fee, though an agency can bill for search and duplication time beyond the first free hours/pages — most individual record requests fall under that free threshold.
- 3
Address it to the request office
First line: Federal Bureau of Prisons. Then: FOIA/PA Section, Office of General Counsel. Then: Room 924. Then the street: 320 First Street NW. Then the final line: Washington DC 20534.
- 4
Send it with PostPal
Write or upload your request to PostPal with the address above prefilled. We print it, add your return address, and mail it for you — no printer, envelope, stamps, or trip to the post office.
Common questions
What is the Federal Bureau of Prisons FOIA mailing address?
Federal Bureau of Prisons, FOIA/PA Section, Office of General Counsel, Room 924, 320 First Street NW, Washington, DC 20534. This is the office's published FOIA correspondence address — confirm it on the source below before anything time-sensitive, since request offices occasionally relocate.
What records can I request from BOP under FOIA?
BOP's FOIA/PA Section handles requests for federal-inmate records — a former inmate requesting their own custody file is one of the most common request types here, distinct from writing to a currently incarcerated person directly at their facility. Requests are made under the Freedom of Information Act.
How long does BOP have to respond?
The statutory response window is 20 business days from when the request is received, though it can be extended for large or complex requests — the office is required to notify you if that happens.
Does a FOIA request cost anything?
FOIA itself has no filing fee, though an agency can bill for search and duplication time beyond the first free hours/pages — most individual record requests fall under that free threshold.
What if my request is refused or I don't get a response?
You can appeal to the agency's FOIA appeals office, then the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) or federal court. Keep a copy of your original request and the date you sent it — you'll need both for an appeal.
How do I mail a FOIA request without a printer?
Write or upload your request to PostPal with the address prefilled. We print it, add your return address, and mail it for you — no printer, stamps, or post office trip needed.
Sources
Addresses verified September 2026 against official sources. Always confirm on the official site before time-sensitive filings.