--- title: "How to Submit a Request" slug: "submit-a-request" updated: 2026-08-06T17:24:51Z published: 2026-08-06T17:24:51Z canonical: "docs.revealdata.com/submit-a-request" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.revealdata.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # How to Submit a Request You can request records from an agency in just a few steps. Once a request is submitted, you'll get a tracking number immediately and can check your status any time. ## When to use this guide - Use this guide when you need to formally request government records or documents from an agency. - Use this guide when you've been directed to an agency's FOIA portal by an agency representative. ## Before you begin You'll need two things: - **The agency's portal URL** — this looks like `requests.agency.gov` or similar. The agency provides this on their website. - **A valid email address** — this is where your tracking number, confirmation, and any agency messages will be sent. You'll also use it to verify your submission. ![Reveal interface for submitting FOIA requests and tracking document statuses.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/3e21d801-ca9f-4c51-93db-9cbd32741f3d/Images/Documentation/01-portal-homepage.png) [How to Submit a Request](https://embed.app.guidde.com/playbooks/55vhrmpPxR9GQGue2vp6Hh?mode=videoOnly) 00:00: This tutorial explains how to submit a Freedom of Information Act 00:03: (FOIA) request through an agency's online portal. 00:07: You will learn to complete the request form, submit it, and track your request 00:10: status. 00:12: You're going to go to the agency's portal URL on your web browser. 00:16: On the homepage, you're going to click request documents. 00:20: This submit FOIA request is going to ask you to describe the records that you're 00:24: looking for. 00:26: You can paste any information into the text box here. 00:29: Using AI, you can have AI assist you with your request. 00:33: Click "Email Address" to enter your contact information. 00:37: Enter your email address in the email field. 00:39: Click "Full Name*" to provide your name. 00:42: Enter your full name in the field. 00:44: Click "Phone Number (Optional)" if you wish to provide a phone number. 00:49: Click "Street Address*" to enter your address. 00:52: Enter your street address in the field. 00:54: Click "City*" to specify your city. 00:57: Enter your city in the field. 00:59: Click "State*" to specify your state. 01:01: Enter your state abbreviation in the field. 01:03: Click "ZIP Code*" to enter your postal code. 01:06: Enter your ZIP code in the field. 01:08: Click "Select Target Department" to choose the department. 01:12: Select the appropriate target department from the list. 01:14: Click "Submit FOIA Request" to proceed. 01:17: Then click review. 01:19: You should see all of the details that you provided, including any of the department 01:23: specific information. 01:25: Should the agency have fees or specific notices before you submit, that message will 01:30: be displayed at the bottom. 01:32: You can finalize your submission by clicking submit request. 01:36: You should receive a verification code via email. 01:39: Enter the Verification Code here. 01:41: Click verify and submit to complete your request. 01:45: Now you should see that your request has been submitted successfully including the 01:49: estimated response deadline and any next steps as defined by that specific agency. 01:55: Your tracking number will be displayed here. 01:58: You can use this tracking number to look up and track the status of your request as 02:02: it progresses through the request workflow. 02:05: Should you need to send a message to the agency, you can also use the messages area. 02:10: Following up on my submission. 02:13: Please provide a status update when possible. 02:15: Click send message to send that to the agency. 02:18: You have successfully submitted a Freedom of Information Act request using the 02:22: agency's online portal. 02:23: You can track your request status with the provided tracking number and 02:27: communicate with the agency through the messages area for updates or inquiries. ## Step 1: Start your request 1. Go to the agency's portal URL in your web browser. 2. On the homepage, click **Request Documents**. ![Reveal interface for submitting FOIA requests and tracking document statuses.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/3e21d801-ca9f-4c51-93db-9cbd32741f3d/Images/Documentation/01-portal-homepage.png) ## Step 2: Complete the request form The form takes about five minutes to complete. Be as specific as possible — clear descriptions help the agency locate records faster. 1. Fill in your contact information. Fields marked with an asterisk are required: - **Email Address*** — you'll verify this when you submit. - **Full Name*** - **Phone Number** — optional. - **Street Address*** - **City*, State*, ZIP Code*** - **Organization** — optional. - **Target Department** — optional. Select the department you believe holds the records, if known. 1. In **Description of Records**, describe the records you're requesting. This field is required. Include date ranges, department names, or person names if you know them — specifics narrow the search and help the agency respond faster. 2. Optionally, attach supporting documents under **Supporting Documents**. Accepted file types are PDF, DOCX, XLSX, and images up to 10 MB. 3. Click **Review** to continue. ![Form for submitting a FOIA request with required contact information fields.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/3e21d801-ca9f-4c51-93db-9cbd32741f3d/Images/Documentation/02-contact-information-step1.png) ## Step 3: Review and submit 1. Step 2 shows a summary of everything you entered. Check your details — if anything needs correcting, click **Back** to return to the form. 2. A notice at the bottom reads: "By submitting this request, you agree to pay any applicable fees associated with the search and reproduction of records. We will contact you if fees exceed $25.00." 3. Click **Submit Request**. ![Form for submitting a FOIA request with personal and record details filled in.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/3e21d801-ca9f-4c51-93db-9cbd32741f3d/Images/Documentation/03-review-and-submit-step2.png) ## Step 4: Verify your email A **Verify Your Email** prompt appears. The system sends a 6-digit verification code to the email address you provided. 1. Check your inbox for an email from Logikcull Request containing your verification code. 2. Enter the 6-digit code in the **Verification Code** field. 3. Optionally, check **Remember this device for 30 days** to skip verification on future submissions from this device. 4. Click **Verify & Submit**. If you don't receive the code, check your spam folder. The code expires in 24 hours. Click **Resend** if you need a new one. If the email address is wrong, click **Wrong email?** to go back and correct it. ![Email verification prompt requesting a six-digit code for account confirmation.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/3e21d801-ca9f-4c51-93db-9cbd32741f3d/Images/Documentation/04-verify-your-email.png) ## Step 5: Confirmation Your request is submitted. The screen shows a confirmation with everything you need to know. - **Your tracking number** — for example, `FOIA-2026-F6B9174A`. Save this — you'll need it to track your request. - **Confirmation email** — a Request received email is sent to your email address with your tracking number and a Track Request button. - **Estimated response deadline** — calculated automatically based on the agency's jurisdiction and response requirements. - **What happens next** — the agency will review your request, you can track status any time using your tracking number, and you'll be notified by email when there are updates. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/3e21d801-ca9f-4c51-93db-9cbd32741f3d/Images/Documentation/image-1782932675303.png) #### My Requests You are also signed in to the portal. Click **My Requests** in the top navigation to see all requests you've submitted. ![Overview of submitted requests in the Reveal City platform interface.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/3e21d801-ca9f-4c51-93db-9cbd32741f3d/Images/Documentation/08-my-requests.png) #### Multiple Requests You can submit more than one request. Each submission gets its own tracking number and is handled independently. ## What to expect - **Agency response time** — varies by agency and jurisdiction. Many agencies are required by law to respond within a set number of business days. Your confirmation email may include the statutory deadline. - **Follow-up from the agency** — a records officer may contact you to clarify your request. You'll receive a New message available email with any messages from the agency. Respond directly from your request status page. ## Troubleshooting ### I didn't receive a confirmation email Check your spam or junk folder first. If it's not there, verify the email address you entered was correct. You can re-submit the request with the correct address. ### The form won't let me submit Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*) on the form. Make sure all required fields are filled in before clicking Submit Request. ## Next steps - [Track Request Status](/logikcull-for-public-records/docs/track-request-status) — check the current status of your submitted request and communicate with the agency