Service Finder
Requesting access to official information from the federal authorities
Service Description
The Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to obtain information about official information from federal authorities or to request access to files.
Every person is entitled to this right. It is irrelevant whether you yourself are legally or actually affected.
If you wish to submit a written request by post or require general information, please contact the relevant authority with your questions.
The contact details of the relevant authority can be found in the list of authorities on the "service.bund.de - Service Online" portal.
Process flow
You can submit your request for access to information online or in writing by post.
Online application:
- Call up the online application on the federal portal verwaltung.bund.de. This will guide you step by step through the necessary information, which you can enter electronically.
- The responsible authority will send you the corresponding answer by post or e-mail.
Written application:
- You can submit your application informally.
- Please send your postal application to the relevant authority.
- The competent authority will send you the relevant reply by post or e-mail.
Requirements
Your right to information is restricted if, among other things, the information becomes known:
-
may have a detrimental effect on
- international relations,
- military and other security-sensitive interests of the Bundeswehr,
- internal or external security concerns,
- control or supervisory tasks of the financial, competition and regulatory authorities,
- matters of external financial control,
- measures to protect against unauthorized foreign trade,
- the conduct of ongoing legal proceedings, a person's right to a fair trial or the conduct of criminal, regulatory or disciplinary investigations,
- would violate duties of secrecy or confidentiality or professional or official secrets,
- would impair the necessary confidentiality of international negotiations or the deliberations of public authorities,
- would affect official decision-making processes, in particular ongoing administrative proceedings, and jeopardize the success of official measures
- would impair the protection of personal data of third parties,
- would jeopardize trade and business secrets and intellectual property.
Which documents are required?
You do not need to submit any documents.
What are the fees?
Fee: 0,00 - 500,00 EURPayment in advance: Nohttps://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/ifggebv/BJNR000600006.htmlFees are charged for processing up to a maximum of EUR 500.00 depending on the work involved. The provision of simple information is free of charge.
What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?
There is no deadline.
Processing duration
Processing Time: 0 - 4 WeeksThe requested information should be made available to you immediately, i.e. without culpable delay on the part of the authority. As a rule, this means: no later than 1 month after you have requested the information. If this is not possible, you should be informed of the reasons for the delay.
Legal basis
Applications / forms
You can lodge an appeal against the decision with the competent authority within one month of notification.
Further Information
Author
Federal Ministry of the Interior and for Home Affairs (BMI)
Forwarding service: Deep link to the original portal
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
Technically approved by
Federal Ministry of the Interior and for Home Affairs (BMI)
Professionally released on
11.09.2023
Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6PLus)
Start your request directly online:
Competent Authority
Behördenverzeichnis auf dem Portal „service.bund.de – Service Online“
Description
If you wish to submit a written application by post or require general information, please contact the relevant authority with your questions. The contact details of the relevant authority can be found in the list of authorities on the "service.bund.de - Service Online" portal.
