State Department changes how some records requests are filed

The State Department’s revised rules for requests under 22 CFR Part 171 took effect Oct. 21, changing submission procedures and instructions for describing records, including visa records.

Under the general procedures, written requests may be submitted through the department’s FOIA website, FOIA.gov or by mail to the relevant component. Electronic FOIA and Privacy Act requests handled by the Information Access Programs Directorate or the Directorate for Passport Services must go through one of those two websites. The rule retains mail as a general written-request option.

Before filing, requesters are encouraged to check the department’s FOIA Library, where some records may already be available. For Privacy Act requests, identity-verification provisions cover people seeking their own records and third parties with proper authorization. Without proper authorization, third-party requests are processed under FOIA.

The final rule was published Sept. 21. The department said notice-and-comment procedures did not apply because the changes concern agency organization, procedure and practice.