Make a request
How do I make a request for information?
If having searched the publications and statistics & research areas of the NIO web-site you cannot find the information you require you may wish to contact the NIO by letter or using the enquiry form.
Prior to making a request you should consider whether the NIO is the most appropriate authority to send a request to. Your request will be answered more quickly if you write directly to the authority that holds the information.
If your request relates to the Northern Ireland Prison Service, Forensic Science Northern Ireland, Youth Justice Agency, Compensation Agency, Public Prosecution Service or any of the smaller bodies sponsored by the NIO then you should contact them directly. Addresses for the 11 Northern Ireland departments and the Northern Ireland Assembly can be found in the useful links.
Your request for information can be sent by letter to the FOI Team at the address below. In order to provide an efficient service it would be helpful if you:
- Include your full postal address
- Describe in as much detail as possible the information that you require providing any relevant dates, events or subject-headings that will enable us to ascertain if we hold the information.
- State if you have any preference for the format in which the information should be supplied (e.g. a summary or a table of statistics).
Freedom of Information Team
Northern Ireland Office
11 Millbank
London
SW1P 4PN
The NIO enquiry form is primarily used for short routine enquiries but you can also use it to make a request for information which is not already in the public domain. If you use the enquiry form it would be helpful if you described the information you require in as much detail as possible and include your full postal address as some material can only be sent as photocopied pages.
How will my request be processed?
