How to Request U.S. Government UAP Records (FOIA Basics)

Before filing a formal records request, it is worth understanding what mechanisms exist to obtain U.S. government UAP-related documents, because FOIA is only one of several — and often the right first step is to check what is already publicly available.

What FOIA Is

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), enacted in 1966 and effective the following year, gives any person the right to request records held by U.S. federal executive branch agencies. There are no citizenship or residency requirements — anyone may file. Agencies may withhold information that falls under one of nine statutory exemptions (covering areas such as national security, personal privacy, and law enforcement), but they must release anything not covered by an exemption.

FOIA applies to executive branch agencies. It does not cover records held by Congress or the federal courts.

Check Public Reading Rooms First

Federal agencies are required to make certain categories of records publicly available without a request — this is often the fastest path to UAP-related documents. Check these before filing a FOIA request:

• AARO (All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office): The AARO EFOIA Reading Room at aaro.mil publishes documents released in response to prior FOIA requests, as well as other publicly releasable materials. AARO also maintains a UAP Records section on its website.
• ODNI (Office of the Director of National Intelligence): ODNI’s FOIA page at dni.gov lists released documents and information about the office’s FOIA process.
• NARA (National Archives and Records Administration): NARA maintains a dedicated webpage consolidating UAP-related holdings across multiple record groups, including digitized materials available in the National Archives Catalog.
• NASA: NASA’s FOIA page at nasa.gov/foia/ lists previously released records and provides guidance on submitting requests.

How to File a FOIA Request

If the record you want is not already publicly available, you can submit a written FOIA request directly to the agency that is likely to hold it. The key requirements are:

1. Identify the right agency: Each agency runs its own FOIA process. AARO records go to AARO (routed through DoD); ODNI records go to ODNI; NARA records go to NARA; NASA records go to NASA.
2. Describe the records specifically: There is no required form. Your request must reasonably describe the records you seek. Specific descriptions (date, subject, document type) are processed more efficiently than broad requests.
3. Submit in writing: Most agencies accept requests via web form, email, or fax. FOIA.gov maintains a search tool and links to agency-specific portals. For ODNI, requests can be submitted to DNI-FOIA@dni.gov or by mail. For NASA, requests can be submitted through its online Public Access Link or to NASA Headquarters FOIA for routing to the appropriate center.
4. Expect processing time: Agencies process requests in the order received. Complex or voluminous requests take longer. Response times vary by agency workload.

Three Separate Mechanisms — Not One

A common source of confusion is treating FOIA, automatic declassification, and the UAP-specific records effort as the same thing. They are distinct:

FOIA is the reactive mechanism: you ask, the agency responds. It applies to any existing agency record not covered by an exemption.

Automatic declassification (Executive Order 13526, signed in 2009) is a separate process requiring that classified records with permanent historical value generally be declassified after 25 years, unless specific exemptions apply. This process runs independently of any FOIA request and is administered through agency declassification authorities and NARA’s National Declassification Center. Filing a FOIA request does not trigger automatic declassification; the two processes operate on different tracks.

The UAP Records Collection is a third, distinct effort. The 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (Public Law 118-31, Sections 1841–1843) directed federal agencies to identify and transfer UAP-related records to NARA for a dedicated collection (Record Group 615). Agencies had until October 20, 2024, to identify their UAP records, with transfers to NARA on a rolling basis. Records in this collection are made publicly available through the National Archives Catalog as they are received. This is a proactive, government-wide disclosure initiative created by statute — separate from both FOIA and automatic declassification.

What FOIA Cannot Do

FOIA does not require agencies to create new records, perform research, analyze data, or answer questions. It covers existing records only. Agencies may legitimately withhold records under the applicable exemptions. If a request is denied, requesters have the right to appeal and, ultimately, to seek judicial review.