Frequently Asked Questions

DEA will do its best to process every request quickly and efficiently, but please be advised that DEA works on a first in first out policy.  DEA’s average processing times can be found at FOIA.gov - Freedom of Information Act. 

Please contact our customer service hotline at (571) 776-2300 and your phone call will be routed to the appropriate Government Information Specialist handling your request.

If you are not satisfied with the response to your request, you may administratively appeal by writing to the Director, Office of Information Policy (OIP), at the United States Department of Justice.  You may submit an appeal through OIP's FOIA STAR portal by creating an account on the following website: https://www.justice.gov/oip/submit-and-track-request-or-appeal, or by sending your appeal in writing to the following address:

Freedom of Information Appeal
Office of Information Policy
U.S. Department of Justice
441 G Street, NW, 6th floor
Washington, D.C.  20530

Your appeal must be postmarked or electronically transmitted within 90 days of the date of the response to your request.  If you submit your appeal by mail, both the letter and the envelope should be clearly marked “Freedom of Information Act Appeal.”