Your request may take up to 30 business days.
Online identity verification is now available:
The BC Services Card enables citizens to access government services safely and securely. If you are submitting a personal FOI request and you have a BC Services Card, you can receive your response package electronically! Log in with your BC Services Card to verify your identity so that you don’t have to pick up your personal FOI request package in person at a government office. Start your FOI request now to learn more!
Know which records are excluded from FOIPPA
Adhering to the guidelines outlined by FOIPPA, there are some topics that are excluded from FOI requests, such as:
Understand the limitation of FOI requests
FOI is not a process to request or obtain answers to questions or information that is not contained in public body records. Those questions should be submitted directly to the applicable public bodies, outside of the FOI process.
The appropriate ministry that you believe holds the record(s) you’re looking for is often a faster and easier way to get the information you need.
Making an informal request
The appropriate ministry that you believe holds the record(s) you’re looking for is often a faster and easier way to get the information you need.
Submit your request to the correct public body
Freedom of Information (FOI) requests for records from a Crown corporation or other Crown agency must be submitted directly to the organization. Most organizations have their own website with information about how to submit an FOI request.
Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA), you have the right to request access to your personal information held by B.C. government ministries or their service providers, free of charge.
A Personal Freedom of Information request can be made for yourself, or for a person that you’re responsible for.
Here are some frequently used forms for Freedom of Information requests.
What is “Personal Information”?
Personal information is recorded information about an identifiable individual. Some types of personal information include, but not limited to, a person’s home address and telephone number, marital or family status, health care information, or employment history. Business contact information is not considered Personal information.
Types of personal information commonly requested under FOIPPA
These are some examples of the types of records you may need from their respective ministries:
Ministry of Children and Family Development:
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General:
Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction:
Community Living BC:
BC Public Service Agency:
Learn more about some of the common types of personal records requested under FOIPPA.
Request your own recorded personal information
Follow these steps to complete and submit the Request for Access to Personal Information form:
To submit a personal Freedom of Information for someone else, including a child, you must have proof of your authority to act on their behalf or their signed consent for disclosure to you.
Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page for additional information
Request access to your personal information held by the B.C. government.
Please note:
How much does it cost?
There is no charge for an FOI request for information about your personal information, but there may be a fee for other types of records. We anticipate that a freedom of information request will take a minimum of three hours to find and retrieve the records you have requested, but longer and more extensive searches may result in a fee, as determined by the public body facilitating your request. Some of the fees involved may include:
How long will it take?
Our goal is to complete your FOI request within 30 business days, but there are factors that may delay the process, such as:
These factors may result in a request for a 30-business-day extension for your request.
If you have questions about the Freedom of Information (FOI) process for B.C. government ministries or the Office of the Premier, contact Information Access Operations:
PO Box 9569 Stn Prov Govt Victoria BC V8W 9K1