Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a law that enables members of the public to request records from federal agencies.

This pages provides an overview of how to find public documents and make a request for ASC records under FOIA.

More about FOIA

FOIA.gov can help you determine whether to file a FOIA request and help you create your request.

Visit FOIA.gov

About FOIA

Since 1967, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 5 USC § 552, has provided the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency. Federal agencies are required to disclose any information requested under the FOIA unless it falls under one of nine exemptions which protect interests such as personal privacy, national security, and law enforcement.

FOIA is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the know about their government. The definition of ASC’s publicly available FOIA records is in ASC’s Regulations, specifically 12 CFR Part 1102, Subpart D §1102.305.

ASC also is required to follow information practices outlined in the Privacy Act of 1974, which governs the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of information about individuals that is maintained in systems of records by federal agencies. The Privacy Act prohibits the disclosure of a record about an individual from a system of records absent the written consent of the individual unless the disclosure is pursuant to one of twelve statutory exceptions. The Act also provides individuals with a means by which to seek access to and amendment of their records and sets forth various agency record-keeping requirements.

Records Available without a FOIA Request

ASC routinely places many kinds of documents on the public record. Because these records are made publicly available pursuant to other statutory provisions, you do not need to file a FOIA request to access them.

Information about appraisers, including:

Whether an appraiser is listed in the National Registry.
Where an appraiser is eligible to perform appraisals in connection with federally related transactions. Appraisers with an active status are eligible. Appraisers with an inactive status are not eligible.
Whether the appraiser's credential was revoked, surrendered in lieu of disciplinary action, or suspended.
In which States(s) an appraiser was certified or licensed, types of credentials held, date of certification/license issuance and expiration dates.
Business address and telephone information, if provided.

Search the Appraiser Registry

Information about AMCs, including:

Whether an AMC is listed in the National Registry.
Where an AMC is eligible to perform appraisals in connection with federally related transactions. AMCs with an active status are eligible. AMCs with an inactive status are not eligible.
Whether the AMC's registration was revoked, surrendered in lieu of disciplinary action, or suspended.
In which States(s) an AMC was registered, date of registration issue, and expiration dates.
Business address and telephone information, if provided.

Search the AMC Registry

Information about the work of ASC, including:

Search Public Documents

To obtain information that is not routinely available, members of the public should file a FOIA request.

Making a FOIA Request

Preferred Method: FOIA.gov
Our preferred method for FOIA requests is through the FOIA.GOV portal.

Start a Request at FOIA.gov

Requests in Writing
Alternatively, you can make a FOIA request to ASC in writing. There are no special forms required for submitting a FOIA request in writing to the ASC. The request must:

Reasonably describe the records so that it may be located with a reasonable amount of effort.
State your willingness to pay applicable fees or provide justification to support a fee waiver.
Include a daytime telephone number or email in case we need to contact you.

If you are mailing a FOIA request, it should be submitted to:

Appraisal Subcommittee
Attn: FOIA Request
1325 G Street NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005
Email: webmaster@asc.gov

Dispute Resolution

If you are not satisfied with the ASC’s response to your request, you may administratively appeal by writing to the ASC’s Chairman at the address below:

ASC Chairman

c/o Jim Park, Executive Director
1325 G Street NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005
Email: Alice@asc.gov

Your appeal must be postmarked within 30 days of the date of the ASC response to your request. Any appeal should be filed with the ASC in writing and should state the circumstances and reasons or arguments in support of the appeal, the date of the original request and the date of the initial ASC response.

Additionally, you may contact the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) at the National Archives and Records Administration to inquire about the FOIA mediation services they offer. The contact information for OGIS is:

Office of Government Information Services
National Archives and Records Administration
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740
Email: ogis@nara.gov
Telephone: (202) 741-5770 or toll-free (877) 684-6448

Records Available without a FOIA Request

Information about appraisers, including:

Information about AMCs, including:

Information about the work of ASC, including:

Making a FOIA Request

Dispute Resolution

ASC Chairman

ASC FOIA Contact

Annual FOIA Reports

ASC FOIA Regulations

Other FOIA Resources