Freedom of Information (FOIA)
OGE responds to requests made under the Freedom of Information Act, which is a law that gives the public the right to request Federal Government records.
Records Not Available under FOIA
Public Financial Disclosure Reports
Copies of public financial disclosure reports (OGE Form 278e), including periodic transaction reports (OGE Form 278-T), are not available under FOIA, pursuant to FOIA Exemption 3, 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(3), as material specifically exempted from disclosure by another statute. Instead, the Ethics in Government Act (5 U.S.C. § 13107) and OGE regulations provide for a special access provision for public financial disclosure reports.
Please note that OGE does not have public financial disclosure reports for all filers. The following public financial disclosure reports are available from OGE:
- Presidential appointees subject to Senate confirmation (PAS officials)
- Designated agency ethics officials and certain White House officials
Generally, public financial disclosure reports must be destroyed after six years. Older reports are not available.
You can see what reports are available from OGE by visiting this page. For all other public financial disclosure reports, you must submit a Form 201 request to the agency where the filer was/is employed.
Confidential Financial Disclosure
Copies of confidential financial disclosure reports (OGE Form 450s) are not available under FOIA, pursuant to FOIA Exemption 3, 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(3) as material specifically exempted from disclosure by another statute. The Ethics in Government Act (5 U.S.C. § 13109) provides that confidential financial disclosure reports shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed to the public.
Conflict of Interest Waivers
Copies of conflict of interest waivers pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 208(b)(1) and (b)(3) are not available under FOIA, pursuant to FOIA Exemption 3, 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(3), as material specifically exempted from disclosure by another statute. 18 U.S.C. § 208 provides for a special access provision for conflict of interest waivers. You may use the fill and print PDF version of the Form 201 to request copies of 18 U.S.C. § 208(b)(1) and § 208(b)(3) waivers from the agency where the person who received the waiver was/is employed. OGE does not release conflict of interest waivers issued to officials employed by other agencies.
Find a Released Document
OGE is making more information available online to better serve the public and taking affirmative steps to make information public without waiting for specific requests from the public. The Electronic Reading Room contains records that have been frequently requested under FOIA (Frequently Requested Records) and proactively disclosed records. The FOIA-Processed Records page contains records processed for release under the FOIA after January 1, 2017, with applicable exemptions. Requesters should first examine the contents of the Electronic Reading Room and the FOIA-Processed Records page before making a new FOIA request, as some records will be immediately available for download.
Once a record is requested three times, it qualifies as a Frequently Requested Record and must be available to the public without a request. These records and proactively disclosed records can be found in the Electronic Records Room.
Records processed for release under the FOIA, with applicable exemptions, can be found in the FOIA-Processed Records Repository.
Make a FOIA Request
OGE understands that public access to government information is essential to building trust in government. OGE works to maintain an effective Freedom of Information Act program.
Information on how to submit a FOIA request to OGE.
OGE has designated certain persons to accept and respond to FOIA requests and FOIA appeals.
OGE's Guide to FOIA & Public Records describes the public information and official records of OGE.
Copies of OGE's annual FOIA reports (from fiscal year 2016 forward), Quarterly FOIA Reports (from fiscal year 2016 to 2021) and Chief FOIA Officer Reports (from calendar year 2016 forward).