Archives, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

Consent To Make Inquiries and Release of Information and Records

NARA is proposing to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) renew approval of a form used by the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS): NA Form 10003, Consent to Make Inquiries and Release of Information and Records. Known as the "FOIA Ombuds," OGIS, an office within NARA, provides mediation services to resolve disputes between agencies and persons making Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, and reviews agency FOIA policies, procedures, and compliance, as part of its statutory mission. 5 U.S.C. 552(h). When customers contact OGIS seeking assistance with a particular FOIA request and/or appeal, OGIS may need to contact agencies for further information regarding that FOIA request and/or appeal in order to provide that assistance. The Privacy Act of 1974 requires prior written consent from an individual to permit federal agencies to share records and information related to FOIA requests and appeals, unless the agency has a published routine use that includes release to OGIS for that purpose. 5 U.S.C. 552a(b). OGIS uses NA Form 10003 to collect that written consent when necessary, because it cannot currently collect it via online submission. OGIS is hopeful that once it is able to add online submission technology to a future case management system, it will be able to collect intake information and consent forms online.