Guide
Overview
The federal government has three branches: the executive (the President, the executive departments, and independent agencies such as the EPA), the legislative (the Senate and the House of Representatives) and the judicial (the Supreme Court, 13 courts of appeals and 94 district courts). Each state has its own three branches, and counties, cities and towns keep their own records. Every branch makes public records: laws, court filings, agency rules, spending data, FOIA releases and open datasets. The sections below link to the official sites for each.
Guide
Executive Branch: The White House & Cabinet
Guide
Legislative Branch: Congress
Guide
Judicial Branch: Federal Courts
Guide
Open Data & Government Transparency
Guide
FOIA & Public Records Access
Guide
State & Local Government Portals
Guide
Federal Employment & Workforce Data
Straight answers
Questions about government agencies
What is USA.gov and what can I find there?
USA.gov is the official web portal of the United States government, maintained by the General Services Administration (GSA). It provides a single point of access to all federal departments, agencies, and services, including benefit programs, government jobs, official contact information, and links to state government portals. It is the authoritative starting point for any interaction with the federal government online.
How do I file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with a federal agency?
Submit your request in writing (letter, email, or online form) directly to the FOIA office of the specific federal agency that holds the records you want. Identify the records as specifically as possible. Agencies must respond within 20 working days under 5 U.S.C. § 552. FOIA.gov lists each agency's FOIA contacts and lets you start a request with many agencies through its own form.
How many federal agencies does the United States government have?
There is no single official count, because it depends on what is counted as an agency. The executive branch has 15 executive departments, plus independent agencies such as the EPA, NASA, SSA and FEC, and many boards and commissions. The Federal Register keeps an A to Z agency list that includes the bureaus inside each department.
What is GovInfo.gov and what documents does it contain?
GovInfo.gov is the U.S. Government Publishing Office's (GPO) official digital repository of authentic government publications. It contains the Congressional Record (bound edition from 1873), the Federal Register, the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), the United States Code (U.S.C.), historic volumes of the United States Reports with Supreme Court cases, the Budget of the United States Government, the Economic Report of the President, and thousands of other official documents, all free to search and download.
How do I find my elected representatives in Congress?
Use the House's Find Your Representative page and enter your ZIP code. The Senate's senator contact list shows your two U.S. senators by state. Congress.gov allows you to track all legislation introduced in both chambers, see full bill text, review voting records, and read Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports. For state legislators, use your state legislature's own website.