Keep Records of Your Correspondence
Be sure to keep a copy of all correspondence to and from the agency. You'll need it if you write an appeal or go to court later.

Take notes during all phone conversations - their date, what was said, who you spoke to, etc. Follow phone conversations up with a letter addressed to the official with whom you spoke. Confirming phone conversations in writing will help ensure there are no misunderstandings, and it is also useful if your request needs to be forwarded to another office or agency. Written notes can also clear up any misunderstandings that might arise.

In general, it can be useful to establish a regular contact in the agency's FOIA office who you can ask for by name, if this is possible.

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