What do Jackie Kennedy, the Beatles, Albert Einstein, Gracie Allen, Thurgood Marshall, and Walter Winchell have in common?
Give up? They are all part of historical FBI records... though for a variety of different reasons. One had a background investigation for government service. One received extortionate threats. One had open communist affiliations. One needed security for a family trip abroad. One actively helped FBI investigations. One tried to smuggle jewelry into the U.S. And not necessarily in that order.
Under our alphabetical listing below, you can access hundreds of documents like these from our FBIHQ Reading Room that have been scanned from paper into digital copies so you can read them in the comfort of your own home.
What You Will Find in the FOIA Reading Room
Under subsection (a)(2) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), agencies must make four distinct categories of records affirmatively available for “public inspection and copying.” These so-called “reading room” records consist of: (1) “final opinions [and]…orders” rendered in the adjudication of administrative cases; (2) specific agency policy statements; (3) certain administrative staff manuals; and (4) as of March 31, 1997, records disclosed in response to a FOIA request that “the agency determines have become or are likely to become the subject of subsequent requests for substantially the same records.”
For any “reading room” record created by the FBI on or after November 1, 1996, the FOIA now requires that it be made available electronically as well as in paper format. The FBI accomplishes this electronic availability through this FOIA website. It should also be noted that the FBI may not create records in each “reading room” category. Also, while the FOIA requires that the FBI make only the above four categories of records available in its reading rooms, it may at its discretion include other types of records.
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Final Opinions and Orders – No records available at this time
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Agency Policy Statements – No records available at this time
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Administrative Staff Manuals and Instructions – Manuals can be released on CD-Rom after submitting a FOIA request by electronic form, mail, or fax
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Frequently Requested Records
Please be advised: the quality of these copies is often poor, because the original files are in fragile condition. These are the best reproductions available. Please note that portions of the documents have been marked out, and small codes appear in the margins or alongside the deletions. These codes may be matched up to our Explanation of Exemptions sheet. The deletions are made, in general terms, to protect national security, personal privacy interests, the identity of confidential sources, and law enforcement techniques.
For a COMPLETE listing of our available digital files, please see our Alphabetical Listing.
If you are new to the site, you might want to browse a sampling of files in the following categories:
New cases will be added to the Alphabetical Listing as time and resources permit, so please check back often!
Last updated on August 18, 2009 |
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