Government Shutdown Alert:
Due to the federal government shutdown, the processing of FOIA requests, status updates and communications regarding such requests may be delayed. For more information please visit: https://www.doi.gov/shutdown

Notice of Authentication Change in FOIAXPress PAL

Effective Date: October 23rd, 2025

Beginning October 23, 2025, all users accessing the DOI Public Access Link (PAL) will be required to sign in using Login.gov. PAL will transition from its current authentication process to Login.gov, the federal government's secure, single sign-on service, as part of ongoing efforts to streamline user access and enhance security.

What this means for you:

• Starting October 23, 2025, your current FOIAXpress PAL login credentials will no longer work.
• You will need a Login.gov account to access PAL. If you already have a Login.gov account, you may use your existing credentials.
• If you do not yet have a Login.gov account, please create one in advance at www.login.gov by using your email address associated with your PAL activity.

Action Required:

• Create or confirm your Login.gov account prior to October 23, 2025.
• Ensure that the email address you use in Login.gov corresponds with the one associated with your PAL activity, if applicable.

We appreciate your cooperation during this transition. Following government-wide guidelines, this change is meant to give you a safer and easier way to access PAL.

For assistance or questions, please contact [[email protected]].

Welcome to the U.S Department of Interior Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Public Access Link (PAL).

The PAL enables the public to submit FOIA requests, check the status of their request(s), send messages to the FOIA Office, and download records that are released to them.  If you are a registered PAL user, click here Sign In to sign in.  If you are not a registered user you can still check the status of your request by clicking Check Request Status and entering the tracking number of your request(s) provided by the FOIA Office.

How to Obtain Records

There are several options for obtaining records that may be faster than making a FOIA request, including searching the Department’s FOIA Libraries and PAL Reading Room to see whether the records you want are already publicly available and making a Privacy Act or Routine Use request for certain types of records.