How to Use the FOIA Response Deadline Calculator
Freedom of Information Act deadlines run in business days, which is why a request that looks like a one-month wait on the calendar can legally take longer. Enter the date the agency received your request to see when a determination is due.
The statute is 5 USC 552(a)(6)(A)(i), which gives an agency 20 business days after receipt to determine whether it will comply and to notify the requester. Section 552(a)(6)(B) allows up to 10 additional business days in unusual circumstances with written notice, and section 552(a)(6)(E) covers expedited processing. If the agency misses the period, administrative remedies are generally treated as exhausted under section 552(a)(6)(C)(i).
Figures are current as of September 2026. State public records laws are separate and often use calendar days with different periods, so check your state statute for non-federal requests.
This calculator is for reference only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney about your specific request or appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. 5 USC 552(a)(6)(A)(i) gives an agency 20 business days from receipt to determine whether it will comply, so weekends and federal holidays do not count toward the period.
Section 552(a)(6)(B) lets an agency extend the period by up to 10 more business days in unusual circumstances, such as searching separate field offices or consulting another agency, with written notice to the requester.
Missing the statutory period generally means administrative remedies are treated as exhausted, which allows a requester to file an administrative appeal or go straight to federal district court under 5 USC 552(a)(4)(B).