The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), (5 U.S.C. § 552), allows an individual (regardless of nationality), a private organization or company, or a local, state, or foreign government to seek access to Executive Branch agency records, such as those held by the U.S. Marine Corps. As a component of the Department of the Navy, Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5720.42G, Department of the Navy FOIA Program, governs the Marine Corps FOIA Program.

The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a) regulates the federal government’s collection, safeguarding, maintenance, use, and dissemination of personal identifiable information (PII) about individuals that is maintained in system of records by federal agencies.

Both FOIA and Privacy Act requests may be submitted via FOIA Online following the below steps:

1. Create an account (not required but recommended).

2. Create a new request.

3. Select an agency:

I. Department of the Navy – including Marine Corps

II. Sub Agency: United States Marine Corps

III. Sub Agency: Marine Corps Recruiting Command

IV. Sub Agency: Marine Corps Recruit Depot / Eastern Recruiting Region Parris Island

4. Request Type: either FOIA or PA (Privacy Act)

5. Complete all contact information to include a reliable telephone number, email address AND address.

6. Describe in detail specific records requested, ensuring not to include any PII in description.

7. Apply for a fee waiver or expediting processing (if applicable).

8. Attach any supporting documentation to request.

9. Submit.

The FOIA does not require Federal agencies to answer questions, render opinions, provided subjective evaluations or create records in response to a FOIA request. Requesters must ask for existing records.

There is no initial fee required to submit a FOIA request. However, if the request is expected to exceed $25, the requester will be notified. Below is the fee schedule.

Requesters may also submit a fee waiver. Under FOIA, fee waivers are limited to requesters who can show that disclosure of records is in the public interest as it will contribute to the public’s understanding of the operations/activities of the government.

1. Commercial Use Requester: required to pay all fees to include search, review and duplication.

2. Educational/Non-Scientific Institutions and News Media: required to pay duplication fees where first 100 pages of duplication are free.

3. “Other” Requesters: all others who do not fall within either of the previous categories. Required to pay search and duplication fees where the first two hours of search are free and the first 100 pages of duplication are free.

All requests will be processed in the order they are received. The processing of all requests will be completed within 20 working days (excluding federal holidays and weekends). You will be notified if more time is needed to process your request.