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For Washington, DC public records, identify the District agency or public body that holds the existing record and use its FOIA route. Use the Public Records Center only when the record’s custody stage and archival scope point there; do not treat it as a substitute for agency records.
DC FOIA routing depends on who currently holds the record
1
Identify the District public bodyName the agency or office that created or currently maintains the existing record.2
Describe the record and datesUse the record type, subject and date range plus a file or record number when available.3
Choose agency or archival routeUse the responsible agency for current records and an archival route only when the record’s custody stage belongs there.4
Keep the custody trailSave any agency redirect or archival reference so the record’s movement remains clear.Agency custody and archival storage are different stages in Washington, DC
DC FOIA is directed to District public bodies for records they hold, subject to applicable exemptions. Open Government can help identify routes, while the Public Records Center stores certain inactive records.
An archival location should not be treated as proof that every current agency record has moved there. Likewise, an agency page does not replace the archival reference when custody has changed.
For a record that matters, keep the agency or archive name, native record number, request wording and lookup date together. That makes the custody stage visible during later review.
Useful fields for a DC public-record request
| Field | Why it matters | Example |
|---|---|---|
| District agency | Identifies the current public body | Department, office or board |
| Record type | Defines existing material | Report, correspondence, permit or dataset |
| Subject and dates | Narrows the agency search | Person, project, event and range |
| Native number | Reopens a known item | Case, permit, file or record number |
What DC FOIA does not require an agency to do
Existing record
Request material the agency already maintains
Frame the request around an identifiable record or file.
Research question
Do not substitute a question for a record description
FOIA is not a requirement that an agency create a new analysis or answer open-ended research.
Custody
Use the source that currently holds the record
Keep the District agency or archival reference visible with the result.