How much does it cost to make a Freedom of Information request?

There is no fee for making a Freedom of Information request. The public authority is legally required to respond to your request within 20 working days of receiving it. If they cannot provide the information, they must specify which exemption they are relying on and explain how the public interest test was applied.

Can I use this letter to ask for my own personal data?

No, you should not use this template for requests about your own personal data. For that, you must use a Subject Access Request (DSAR) template. Similarly, for environmental information, an Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) request is more appropriate, though you can cite both laws in one request for environmental data.

What can I do if the public authority refuses my request or ignores me?

If you are not satisfied with the response, you can request an internal review from the authority. If you remain dissatisfied after that, you can make a complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). The ICO handles complaints about refusals or delays in responding to Freedom of Information requests.

What types of information can I request under the Freedom of Information Act?

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 only covers recorded information. You cannot request verbal discussions or unrecorded information. To ensure your request is valid, be as specific as possible when describing the documents or datasets you are seeking, and clearly state that you are making the request under the Act.

← All Templates

Public Law

Updated 2026-05-16

Freedom of Information Request Letter

A formal request to a public authority for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

This template was not drafted by a solicitor.

It is an editorial reference based on the official sources we cite. You are responsible for any document you send. For high-stakes matters (court proceedings, large sums, deportation, criminal allegations, child welfare), have a regulated solicitor review or draft your document.

When to use this template

Use this template when requesting recorded information held by a public authority (government departments, local councils, NHS trusts, police forces, schools, and other FOIA Schedule 1 bodies). Any person can make an FOI request at any time, for any reason, without having to justify the request. There is no fee. The authority must respond within 20 working days.

When NOT to use this template

Do not use this template for requests about your own personal data — use a Subject Access Request (DSAR) template instead. Do not use for environmental information — an EIR request template is more appropriate (though you can cite both FOIA and EIR in one request for environmental information).

Legal Basis

Freedom of Information Act 2000. Section 1 grants a right to be informed whether information is held and to receive it. Section 10 requires response within 20 working days. Section 17 requires the authority to specify any exemption it is relying on. Complaints about refusal or delay can be made to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

Before you send

Requesting personal data about yourself — this is a DSAR, not an FOI request
Not making clear that the request is under the FOIA 2000 — use the statutory label to trigger the 20-day clock
Requesting non-recorded information (verbal discussions) — FOIA only covers recorded information

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗Requesting personal data about yourself — this is a DSAR, not an FOI request
✗Not making clear that the request is under the FOIA 2000 — use the statutory label to trigger the 20-day clock
✗Requesting non-recorded information (verbal discussions) — FOIA only covers recorded information
✗Not providing enough identification of the information sought — be as specific as possible
✗Failing to follow up after 20 working days if no response is received

Build Your Letter

Fill in your details

Complete the fields below. Required fields are marked with *.

Your full name*

Your address*

Your email*

Date of request*

Public authority name*

Authority's address*

Specific information requested*

Optional fields

Date range for the information (if relevant)

Preferred format for the response

Letter preview

[YOUR FULL NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]
[YOUR EMAIL]

[DATE OF REQUEST]

Information Officer / Freedom of Information Team
[PUBLIC AUTHORITY NAME]
[AUTHORITY'S ADDRESS]

---

Dear Sir or Madam,

**FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST — FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000**

I am making this request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

**The information I am requesting**

I would like to receive the following recorded information held by [PUBLIC AUTHORITY NAME]:

[SPECIFIC INFORMATION REQUESTED]

**Time period**

Where relevant, I am requesting information from the period: [DATE RANGE FOR THE INFORMATION (IF RELEVANT)].

**Format**

If possible, I would prefer the information to be provided in [PREFERRED FORMAT FOR THE RESPONSE] (e.g. electronic format / PDF / spreadsheet). If this is not possible, please provide it in whatever format is most convenient.

**Your obligations**

Under section 10 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, you are required to respond to this request within 20 working days of its receipt.

If you are unable to provide the information requested, please specify the exemption(s) you are relying on and explain how the public interest test has been applied (where applicable under the relevant qualified exemption).

If you require any clarification of this request, please contact me at the above email address as soon as possible, explaining what clarification is needed, rather than delaying your response beyond the 20-working-day period.

I understand that if you consider this request to be vexatious or would require unreasonable costs to comply with, you may refuse it. I respectfully request that you make reasonable efforts to interpret the request constructively and to provide whatever information can be provided within the cost limit even if a complete response is not possible.

If I am not satisfied with the response, I understand I can request an internal review and, thereafter, complain to the Information Commissioner's Office.

Yours faithfully,

[YOUR FULL NAME]

Unfilled fields appear as [FIELD NAME]. Review the letter carefully before sending. This template is a starting point — adapt it to your specific circumstances.

Related Rights

Official Resources

ICO — Make a FOI request →WhatDoTheyKnow — Submit an FOI →

Frequently asked questions

Who can I send a Freedom of Information request to?: You can make a Freedom of Information request to any public authority listed in Schedule 1 of the Act. This includes government departments, local councils, NHS trusts, police forces, and schools. Any person can make a request at any time for any reason, and you do not need to justify why you want the information.
How much does it cost to make a Freedom of Information request?: There is no fee for making a Freedom of Information request. The public authority is legally required to respond to your request within 20 working days of receiving it. If they cannot provide the information, they must specify which exemption they are relying on and explain how the public interest test was applied.
Can I use this letter to ask for my own personal data?: No, you should not use this template for requests about your own personal data. For that, you must use a Subject Access Request (DSAR) template. Similarly, for environmental information, an Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) request is more appropriate, though you can cite both laws in one request for environmental data.
What can I do if the public authority refuses my request or ignores me?: If you are not satisfied with the response, you can request an internal review from the authority. If you remain dissatisfied after that, you can make a complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). The ICO handles complaints about refusals or delays in responding to Freedom of Information requests.
What types of information can I request under the Freedom of Information Act?: The Freedom of Information Act 2000 only covers recorded information. You cannot request verbal discussions or unrecorded information. To ensure your request is valid, be as specific as possible when describing the documents or datasets you are seeking, and clearly state that you are making the request under the Act.