Track a letter

Central Intelligence Agency: where to mail a FOIA request

To send a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Central Intelligence Agency, mail it to Central Intelligence Agency, Information and Privacy Coordinator, Washington, DC 20505. The CIA's FOIA office handles requests for declassified intelligence records and historical agency documents — requests for a living person's own file are rare, since the CIA generally can't confirm or deny holding records on a US citizen without cause. 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.

Central Intelligence Agency — FOIA request address

Central Intelligence Agency
Information and Privacy Coordinator
Washington DC  20505

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests only. Regular correspondence, complaints, or media inquiries should go to Central Intelligence Agency's general contact address instead.

Verified September 2026cia.gov

Write it now. We print & mail it for $5.

Type your letter in the browser. We print it, stamp it, and hand it to USPS — usually same business day. No printer, no stamps, no post office.

Mail a FOIA request to CIA

$5 flat · postage included · no account needed

  • You write & pay
  • We print & envelope
  • USPS, next business day
  • Confirmation of Mailing emailed

Your name
Your return address

Central Intelligence AgencyInformation and Privacy CoordinatorWashington, DC 20505

Your letter, printed and mailed for you.

Key facts

  • This is Central Intelligence Agency'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. 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. 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. 3

    Address it to the request office

    First line: Central Intelligence Agency. Then: Information and Privacy Coordinator. Then the final line: Washington DC 20505.

  4. 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 Central Intelligence Agency FOIA mailing address?

Central Intelligence Agency, Information and Privacy Coordinator, Washington, DC 20505. 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 CIA under FOIA?

The CIA's FOIA office handles requests for declassified intelligence records and historical agency documents — requests for a living person's own file are rare, since the CIA generally can't confirm or deny holding records on a US citizen without cause. Requests are made under the Freedom of Information Act.

How long does CIA 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.

See all FOIA request addresses →

Related pages