Open records requests in Washington D.C.

How the D.C. Freedom of Information Act works

The District of Columbia's Freedom of Information Act (D.C. Code § 2-531 et seq.) provides any person, with no residency requirement, the right to inspect and copy public records of D.C. government agencies and instrumentalities. Modeled substantially on the federal FOIA, the D.C. Act reflects the District's unique relationship with the federal government. It covers all executive branch agencies of the District government, including independent agencies and instrumentalities, but exempts the District's courts and Council, which have their own separate transparency rules.

Agencies must respond within 15 business days, with extensions of up to 10 additional business days available in limited circumstances. Fees may be charged for duplication at a reasonable rate, with fee waivers available for news media, educational institutions, and requesters demonstrating public benefit. The District's Office of Open Government provides oversight, training, and may investigate complaints. Courts have awarded attorney's fees to prevailing requesters in cases of unjustified denial. Common exemptions mirror many federal FOIA exemptions, including attorney-client privileged materials, inter-agency deliberative communications, and personal privacy records.