All Reagan Presidential records are administered under the Presidential Records Act (PRA) and are subject to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for access by the general public. For further information see the following laws and regulations:

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request at the Reagan Library

What is a FOIA Request?

A Freedom of Information Act request or FOIA (5 U.S.C. 552, as amended) generally provides any person with the statutory right, enforceable in court, to obtain access to Government information in executive branch agency records.  This right to access is limited when such information is protected from disclosure by one of the FOIA’s nine statutory exemptions.

The Reagan Library contains a large number of non-federal governmental records such as California Gubernatorial records and donated personal papers. This material is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

To learn more about FOIA please read the National Archive’s FOIA Resources Guide. 

How to Submit a FOIA Request

All FOIA requests must state that you are requesting records under the Freedom of Information Act or FOIA.  Your request must be submitted in writing via mail:

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
c/o FOIA Coordinator
40 Presidential Drive
Simi Valley, CA 93065

via FAX:

Fax:  805-577-4074
Subject Line: Freedom of Information Act or FOIA

  via Email:

Email to: reagan.library@nara.gov
Subject Line: Freedom of Information Act or FOIA

All requests must include the following information:

Your permanent address and phone number (as well as a fax number and email address if available, please note if you prefer to be contacted by email only ).
Write “FOIA request” on both your letter and envelope (or in the subject line of your fax or email).
Describe the records that you want to access in as much detail as possible.  Information that might provide such detail includes:

  •  Names of specific White House offices or staff members.
  • Specific events, speeches, issues, or folder titles.
  • Specific or approximate dates of events, speeches, or records.

Helpful Tips

To avoid delays, review the FOIA Reference Guide before submitting your request.

  • Consult with archives staff before filing a request.
  • All FOIA requests must include a reasonable description of the records requested.
  • Be as specific as possible including names, titles, dates, events, subjects, recipients, or agency component(s) or offices likely to maintain records that are of interest to you.
  • The more specific you are about the records or types of records you want, the more likely it will be that our archivists will be able to locate those records for you.
  • Be aware that FOIA does not require us to do research for you, analyze data, answer written questions, or create records in order to respond to a request
  • If you have an impending deadline, please plan according, the FOIA process does take time.

For ease of use, attach this FOIA request Form Below

FOIA Form

Fees

The National Archives does not charge FOIA filing, searching, or processing fees for Presidential records.  However, standard reproduction fees are charged for copying or digitizing records.  See the FOIA Reference Guide for details.

Submit a Freedom of Information Act Request
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests must be submitted in writing, either handwritten or typed. They may be submitted online through this form or at www.foia.gov or by email, mail, or fax. When the Reagan Library receives your FOIA request, we will acknowledge receipt of your request and assign it a tracking number, which you may use to track the status of your request.

Read the FOIA Guide for more information.

The description of the records you are requesting is important. The scope of your request can impact how quickly the Reagan Library can respond to your request. Your description should be as clear and specific as possible and must give FOIA personnel enough detail so that they are able to reasonably determine exactly which records are being requested and where to locate them.

Attach Supporting Files
Additional information can be provided by attaching supporting documentation. You may attach a copy of our finding aid(s) with the requested materials included.

File successfully uploaded
File failed to upload
Select files

or Drop files here to upload them

Unlimited number of files can be uploaded to this field.
200 MB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, jpeg, png, bmp, eps, tif, pict, psd, txt, rtf, html, odf, pdf, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, xls, xlsx, xml, avi, mov, mp3, ogg, wav, bz2, dmg, gz, jar, rar, sit, svg, tar, zip.

* Required information pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 1250.20(b).