BLS FOIA Page

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides that any person has the right to request access to federal agency records or information. Like all federal agencies, the Department of Labor (DOL) is required to disclose records requested in writing by any person. However, agencies may withhold information pursuant to nine exemptions and three exclusions contained in the statute. FOIA applies only to federal agencies and does not create a right of access to records held by Congress, the courts, or by state or local government agencies.

In an effort to assist the public, below are "quick links" to specific FOIA-related information. We encourage the public to explore the BLS and DOL’s Web sites or use our search engine to see if the information you seek is already available to the public via the Web.

NOTE:  Statistical data produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics may be obtained without making a request under FOIA.   Please contact the BLS Division of Information Services or the BLS program which produces the data being sought to determine if a FOIA request need be submitted.

BLS FOIA Information

• How to make a FOIA request

  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, 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.

• 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.

• BLS FOIA Service Center

  FOIA requesters seeking information concerning the status of their FOIA request within the BLS, information about the agency's FOIA response, or general information on the agency's FOIA practices and resources may contact the service center at (202) 691-7628 or bls.foia@bls.gov.

“Hot FOIAs” and Frequently Requested Reports

• BLS Purchase Card Holders

Other FOIA Resources

• Department of Labor FOIA Page
• Annual FOIA Reports
• Department of Labor FOIA Regulations, Effective June 29, 2006
• DOL Guide for Requesting FOIA Records
• Freedom of Information Act - Including Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments, 1996
• Department of Justice's FOIA homepage
• Executive Order 13392

Last Modified Date: September 10, 2007