The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552, permits any person to request access to federal agency records or information. Federal agencies are required to disclose records upon receipt of a written request, except for records that are protected from disclosure by nine exemptions or three exclusions specified by the Act. 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. Most states have public information laws governing access to state and local records.
It is the policy of Amtrak’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to make records available to the public, consistent with the requirements of the law.
FOIA requires that agencies have a reading room to inspect publicly available documents. As a result, we urge you, before making a FOIA request, to first browse through the OIG Online Reading Room, for information on matters already available to the public. For Amtrak's reading room, please visit Amtrak's online FOIA Library.
If you are a legal representative submitting a FOIA request for first-party records on behalf of an individual, please provide the Amtrak OIG FOIA office with a letter of representation, signed by the individual, so that the Amtrak OIG FOIA office may efficiently process your FOIA request.
If you wish to make a request for Amtrak OIG records pursuant to the FOIA, it must be in writing. We cannot accept telephone requests. Requests to the OIG can be made by mail, email, or facsimile.
The FOIA classifies requesters into four categories:
“Other” requesters are those that do not qualify for another category and the request is for their personal use. Amtrak OIG fees are $38 per hour for search and review, and $0.25 per page for duplication. There is no charge for processing a request if applicable fees are less than $10.
A requester may seek a fee waiver if disclosure of the requested records is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations and activities of the agency and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester. (For further information on fee waivers, see 49 C.F.R. § 701.11(k).)
A requester may file an administrative appeal if responsive records are withheld, a “no records” initial response is provided, expedited processing is denied, or a fee waiver is denied.
The appeal must be submitted in writing to the OIG’s FOIA Office within 90 calendar days of the date of the initial response and must contain the signature of the appellant. An appeal should include a copy of the initial request, a copy of the letter denying the request, and a statement explaining why you disagree with our decision. The FOIA Office will review all pertinent documents and respond directly to the appellant.
The basic purpose of the FOIA is to shed light on an agency’s performance of its statutory duties. The FOIA provides only for the disclosure of federal agency records; it does not require government agencies to create records or to answer questions. Agencies need not add explanatory materials to any records disclosed in response to a FOIA request.
For more information on our FOIA policy, see 49 C.F.R. § 701. Questions regarding a FOIA request submission for Amtrak OIG records may be submitted to the address above, or via e-mail.
Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 24301(b), the National Railroad Passenger Corporation's principal office and place of business is located in the District of Columbia. This is also applicable to Amtrak’s Office of Inspector General.
If you wish to serve a complaint, third-party subpoena, or other legal document on Amtrak OIG, please serve the Amtrak OIG by certified mail at the following address:
Amtrak Office of Inspector General
Attn: Office of Counsel
10 G Street, NE, 3W-300
Washington, D.C. 20002