FOIA Advisor

Q&A: gov't employee request for "vouching" info

Q&A (2015-2023)Allan BlutsteinComment

Q.  I am a federal employee. Can I obtain an unredacted copy of "vouching" information for the federal positions that I previously applied for?

A.  Maybe.  The Privacy Act of 1974 may protect information supplied by third parties concerning an applicant's eligibility, qualifications, or suitability for federal employment.  Specifically, you may not obtain such information if it was provided by a source under an express promise of confidentiality.  For further guidance, you might wish to consult the Department of Justice's Overview of the Privacy Act of 1974 (2015 ed.) (Exemption K5).