To submit a FOIA request via this portal, you must REGISTER and then SIGN IN.

DLA's FOIA PROGRAM

DLA operates one central FOIA Service Center that processes all FOIA requests. The following information will assist you in submitting a proper FOIA request. Additional details are available on the DLA FOIA website: DLA FOIA Website.

DOD Small Arms/Light Weapons Registry -- If you are seeking records for serialized weapons from the DOD Small Arms/Light Weapons Registry, please note that DLA does not own, maintain, or control this data. FOIA requests for serialized weapons records must be submitted directly to:  USARMY Logistics Data Analysis Center (LDAC) Freedom of Information Act Officer via email:  usarmry.redstone.ldac.mbx.foia@army.mil

Privacy Act Requests -- Requests for personal records (e.g., “any information you have on me,” security/background investigation records, or other Privacy Act requests) must be submitted to the DLA Privacy Office. These requests cannot be submitted through this online system. DLA Privacy Office website: DLA Privacy Office.

Records 25 Years Old -- For records more than 25 years old and are not environmental records, please submit your request to the National Archives and Records Administration.

DoD Personnel Records -- For personnel records of retired military or civilian DoD personnel, please contact the National Personnel Records Center.

Federal employees -- may submit FOIA requests in their personal capacity using a personal email, home address, or personal phone number. They should not use their official DLA email or signature block, as this may imply the request is being made in an official role. Using a personal email ensures a clear separation between personal and official records and prevents personal FOIA requests from being mistakenly treated as agency business.

HOW TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM DLA:

• Use the DLA FOIA Portal at https://pal.whs.mil/app/Home.aspx

• Submit through FOIA.Gov

• Use the DLA website: https://www.dla.mil/

• Access DLA field activity homepages under “ABOUT”: https://www.dla.mil/AboutDLA/

• Search publicly available DLA sites through the DLA Web Gateway: https://www.dla.mil/webgateway/

• Review commonly requested records in DLA FOIA reading room

FOIA REQUEST RESPONSE TIME:

DLA processes all requests on a "First-In, First-Out" basis. The Department of Defense has established three queues for FOIA requests: Expedited, Simple, and Complex. The Expedited queue is for those requests that seek and receive expedited processing pursuant to subsection (a)(6)(E) of the FOIA and pursuant to the criteria established in 32 CFR Part 286 (see Expedited Processing). The Simple queue is for those requests that do not involve voluminous records or lengthy consultations with other entities. The Complex queue is for those requests that involve voluminous records and for which lengthy or numerous consultations are required. Your request will be assigned to either the simple or complex queue unless you request expedited processing and substantiate your claim with supporting documentation. DLA will provide you with a response as soon as possible, based on your position in this queue; the need to collect responsive records from other offices; whether the request involves a "voluminous" amount of records which must be located, compiled, and reviewed; and whether DLA must consult with another agency which has a substantial interest in the responsive document(s). For requests within the Simple queue, DLA strives to provide a final response within 20 business days. When an extension is needed, the requester may be notified and offered the opportunity to modify or limit his or her request.

SUBMITTING A FOIA REQUEST

Recommended Method: To submit a FOIA request via this portal, you must REGISTER and then SIGN IN.

Alternative Method: A FOIA request made by mail must:

• Include your name and complete mailing address. Provide a daytime telephone number and/or an e-mail address so that we may be able to contact you if needed.
• Indicate that it is a "FOIA Request" on both your letter and envelope or in the subject line of your e-mail.
• Indicate your willingness to pay fees (or specify the amount you are willing to pay) or ask for a fee waiver.
• Identify which fee category of requester you are -- commercial, news media, educational / scientific, all others. Each of these has a different fee structure.
• Describe the records you are seeking as clearly and precisely as you can. The more specific you are, the easier it will be for DLA to locate the records. In your description include information such as the date and place the records were created, the file descriptions, subject matter, persons involved, and other pertinent details that will help identify the records.

DoD FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT HANDBOOK.

DoD provides an informational handbook about making FOIA requests at https://open.defense.gov/Transparency/FOIA/FOIA-Handbook/