The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 United States Code (USC) 552, allows an individual (regardless of nationality), a private organization or company, or a local, state, or foreign government to seek access to Executive Branch agency RECORDS, such as those held by the U.S. Marine Corps.
All agencies of the U.S. Government are required to disclose records upon receiving a written request, except those records that are protected from disclosure pursuant to nine exemptions and three exclusions. The FOIA applies only to federal agencies and does not create a right of access to records held by Congress, the courts, or by state or local government agencies. Any requests for state or local government records should be directed to the appropriate state or local government agency.
As a component of the Department of the Navy, Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5720.42G, Department of the Navy Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program (SECNAVINST 5720.42G), governs the Marine Corps FOIA program. SECNAVINST 5720.42G is codified at 32 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 701.
If you require assistance with submitting a request or if you have questions regarding the status of a request, you may contact the Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps (HQMC), FOIA Requester Service Center.
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Housing Records
Please submit your request directly to MCI-East under Marine Corps Installations Command.
foia.mcieast@usmc.mil
Official Military Personnel File Records
Retired/Discharged/Separated before 1999
https://www.archives.gov/veterans
Retired/Discharged/Separated after January 1, 1999
https://smb.manpower.mmrp-10@usmc.mil
OMPF of Marine Corps Veterans Retired/Discharged/Deceased before 1999
National Archives and Records Administration:
https://www.archives.gov/foia
Medical Records (Requestor and Medical Record Owner Must Match)
Retired/Discharged/Separated before May 1, 1994
https://www.archives.gov/veterans
Retired/Discharged/Separated between May 1, 1994, and December 31, 2013
https://sww.va.gov
Retired/Discharged/Separated on or after January 1, 2014
https://www.med.navy.mil/Navy-Medicine-Records-Activity/
Awards Verification and Replacement Requests
Manpower and Reserve Affairs
hqmcMMMA.awards.veteranrequests@usmc.mil
USMC Firearms Histories
Marine Corps Logistics Command
Please submit your request directly to the Marine Corps Logistics Command.
background checks
Manpower and Reserve Affairs
smb.manpower.mmrp-10@usmc.mil
Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) records
U.S. Navy
Please submit your request to the United States Navy via the SecureRelease portal.
Other
For other non-HQMC records (including PMO reports, traffic accident reports, command investigations, FAP, etc.), submit your request directly to the command that would have custody of them, if you know. For command points of contact (names, email addresses and phone numbers), please see the list attached.
IMPORTANT: When submitting your request, be sure to provide:
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Your full name.
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Contact information (address, email, and/or phone number).
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A complete and specific description of the Marine Corps records you are looking for.
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The amount you are willing to pay.
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If applicable, your request for a fee waiver or expedited processing with a full explanation of the basis.
14 November 2025
The Marine Corps Headquarters Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) office is now open again after the recent furlough.
If you submitted a request via SecureRelease after 30 September and have not received a response, please re-submit it via email. For the fastest response, please send your email to the command that holds the records. Information regarding where to submit a request, as well as a link to a list of email addresses, is provided below. We apologize for this inconvenience and, as soon as funding is restored, we will be able to access the portal again and resume normal operations.
In the meantime, we are continuing to process requests that were pending prior to 1 October and any we received via email/mail while the office was closed. We are doing our very best to complete as many requests as possible as quickly as we can, and we appreciate your patience and understanding. If you have questions about your request or another FOIA/PA matter, you are welcome to email us (hqmcfoia@usmc.mil) or call the main office line (703-614-4008).
Phone
Office: (703) 614-4008
Fax: (703) 614-6287
Email
IMPORTANT: Please do not use this e-mail address for Privacy Act requests or send Personally Identifiable Information to this e-mail address.
hqmcfoia@usmc.mil
Mailing Address
Headquarters US Marine Corps
Attn: FOIA/PA Section (ARSF) Rm 2B289
3000 Marine Corps Pentagon
Washington DC 20350-3000