Suggested online resources for more detailed information on filing FOIA requests include:

Federal FOIA

• The FOI Center at the University of Missouri has a collection of more than 1 million articles and documents about access to information at the state, federal and local levels. The center also publishes The FOI Advocate.
• The National Security Archive provides a user’s guide to the federal FOIA along with sample request and appeal letters.
• The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), a U.S. professional organization for reporters, gives updates on FOI-related news, provides sample letters, and lists contact information for federal agencies.
• The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) outlines a five-step process for filing federal FOIA requests, provides sample FOIA letters, and suggests contacts for legal advice.
• The National Freedom of Information Coalition (NFOIC) addresses FOIA-related issues and international FOI news. This site also provides instructions on registering for the NFOIC listserv, a forum for discussion of public-access laws.

State FOIA

• The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP) publishes an online guide to public-access laws in 50 states, assists with federal FOIA issues, and offers an online federal FOIA letter form. RCFP operates a 24-hour telephone service to answer reporters’ legal defense questions.
• The Student Press Law Center offers an online state records request letter in a fill-in-the-blank format. The service is free.