4.15—How to request records.
(a) Available information.
Subject to the exemptions described in § 4.12(b), any OCC record is available to any person upon specific request in accordance with this section.
(b) Where to submit request or appeal—
(1) General.
Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, a person requesting a record or filing an administrative appeal under this section must submit the request or appeal to the Disclosure Officer, Communications Division, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 250 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20219.
(2) Exceptions—
(i) Records at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
A person requesting any of the following records, other than blank forms (see § 4.14(a)(7) ), must submit the request to the Disclosure Group, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 550-17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20429, (800) 945-2186:
(ii) Records of another agency.
When the OCC receives a request for records in its possession that another Federal agency either generated or provided to the OCC, the OCC promptly informs the requester and immediately forwards the request to that agency for processing in accordance with that agency's regulations.
(c) Request for records—
(1) Contact information and what the request for records must include.
A person requesting records under this section must state, in writing:
(i)
The requester's full name, address, telephone number and, at the requester's option, electronic mail address.
(ii)
A reasonable description of the records sought (including sufficient detail to enable OCC employees who are familiar with the subject matter of the request to locate the records with a reasonable amount of effort);
(iv)
A description of how the requester intends to use the records, if a requester seeks placement in a lower fee category (i.e., a fee category other than “commercial use requester”) under § 4.17; and
(v)
Whether the requester prefers the OCC to deliver a copy of the records or to allow the requester to inspect the records at the appropriate OCC office.
(2) Initial determination.
The OCC's Director of Communications or that person's delegate initially determines whether to grant a request for OCC records.
(3) If request is granted.
If the OCC grants a request for records, in whole or in part, the OCC promptly discloses the records in one of two ways, depending on the requester's stated preference:
(i)
The OCC may deliver a copy of the records to the requester. If the OCC delivers a copy of the records to the requester, the OCC duplicates the records at reasonable and proper times that do not interfere with their use by the OCC or preclude other persons from making inspections; or
(ii)
The OCC may allow the requester to inspect the records at reasonable and proper times that do not interfere with their use by the OCC or preclude other persons from making inspections. If the OCC allows the requester to inspect the records, the OCC may place a reasonable limit on the number of records that a person may inspect during a day.
(4) If request is denied.
If the OCC denies a request for records, in whole or in part, the OCC notifies the requester by mail. The notification is dated and contains a brief statement of the reasons for the denial, sets forth the name and title or position of the official making the decision, and advises the requester of the right to an administrative appeal in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section.
(d) Administrative appeal of a denial—
(1) Procedure.
A requester must submit an administrative appeal of denial of a request for records in writing within 35 days of the date of the initial determination. The appeal must include the circumstances and arguments supporting disclosure of the requested records.
(2) Appellate determination.
The Comptroller or the Comptroller's delegate determines whether to grant an appeal of a denial of a request for OCC records.
(3) If appeal is granted.
If the OCC grants an appeal, in whole or in part, the OCC treats the request as if it were originally granted, in whole or in part, by the OCC in accordance with paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
(4) If appeal is denied.
If the OCC denies an appeal, in whole or in part, the OCC notifies the requester by mail. The notification contains a brief statement of the reasons for the denial, sets forth the name and title or position of the official making the decision, and advises the requester of the right to judicial review of the denial under 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(B).
(e) Judicial review—
(1) General.
If the OCC denies an appeal pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section, or if the OCC fails to make a determination within the time limits specified in paragraph (f) of this section, the requester may commence an action to compel disclosure of records, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(B), in the United States district court in:
(2) Service of process.
In commencing an action described in paragraph (e)(1) of this section, the requester, in addition to complying with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 U.S.C. appendix) for service upon the United States or agencies thereof, must serve process on the Chief Counsel or the Chief Counsel's delegate at the following location: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 250 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20219.
(f) Time limits for responding to FOIA requests.
(1)
The OCC makes an initial determination to grant or deny a request for records within 20 days (excluding Saturday, Sundays, and holidays) after the date of receipt of the request, as described in paragraph (g) of this section, except as stated in paragraph (f)(3) of this section.
(2) Appeal.
The OCC makes a determination to grant or deny an administrative appeal within 20 business days after the date of receipt of the appeal, as described in paragraph (g) of this section, except as stated in paragraph (f)(3) of this section.
(3) Extension of time.
The time limits set forth in paragraphs (f)(1) and (2) of this section may be extended as follows:
(i) In unusual circumstances.
The OCC may extend the time limits in unusual circumstances for a maximum of 10 business days. If the OCC extends the time limits, the OCC provides written notice to the person making the request or appeal, containing the reason for the extension and the date on which the OCC expects to make a determination. Unusual circumstances exist when the OCC requires additional time to:
(A)
Search for and collect the requested records from field facilities or other buildings that are separate from the office processing the request or appeal;
(C)
Consult with another agency that has a substantial interest in the determination of the request; or
(D)
Allow two or more components of the OCC that have substantial interest in the determination of the request to consult with each other;
(iii) By judicial action.
If a requester commences an action pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section for failure to comply with the time limits set forth in this paragraph (f), a court with jurisdiction may, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(C), allow the OCC additional time to complete the review of the records requested; or
(1) Make one request for additional information from the requester; or
(2) Clarify the applicability or amount of any fees, if necessary, with the requester.
(B)
The tolling period ends upon the OCC's receipt of requested information from the requester or resolution of the fee issue.
(g) Date of receipt of request or appeal.
The date of receipt of a request for records or an appeal is the date that OCC Communications Division receives a request that satisfies the requirements of paragraph (c)(1) or (d)(1) of this section, except as provided in § 4.17(d).