How to make a Freedom of Information (FOI) request

See our previous responses to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, and find out how to submit new ones

You have the right to access information held by public bodies like us that is not routinely available from other sources. This is laid out in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000.

This covers our recorded information held on computers, emails, reports, databases, photographs, or even sound and video recordings.

We take our responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) 2004 seriously.

We haven’t published every request we have received, since many are of a similar nature. In exceptional circumstances (for instance, where we are involved in an ongoing legal dispute with the requester) we may not publish certain responses. We do not publish personal data of the requestor.

Existing information requests and responses

See our previous responses to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests

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Before you make a new FOI request

Did you know?

You can find information on lots of subjects, such as mapping information, OS historic archives, as well as OS public statistics. You can also contact our customer service team for specific enquiries, including products, services, licences, boundary, and mapping queries. Please browse the following resources before making a new FOI request.

  • General public enquiries

    Mapping information for topics such as property boundaries, historical map archives, and mapping product support.

  • Customer support

    Guidance on getting in touch with OS about specific topics, including mapping enquiries or errors, and further support for PSGA members and Licensed Partners.

  • Annual report

    See our latest and previous annual reports and accounts. Details include our strategic report, our governance, and financial statements.

  • Press releases

    Our latest Ordnance Survey announcements, guidance on media licensing, and how to submit press enquiries.

  • Publication scheme

    Find all the information you need about OS via our publication scheme: what we do, what we spend and how, and our responsibilities.

Can't find what you need?

Contact us directly to speak to our friendly customer service team.

How to make an FOI request

You must make your request in writing via one of the following methods:

  • Complete an online form. This is the quickest and most efficient way for us to process your request. Please fill out the form below
  • Email us at FOI@os.uk
  • Write to us at Ordnance Survey, Explorer House, Adanac Drive, Southampton, SO16 0AS

Please ensure to:

  • Be specific about the recorded information you require. This must be made in writing for the FOI request to be valid.
  • Include your full name and email, or postal address so that we can reply in full.
  • State in your application if you prefer your information in a particular format.

The Information Commissioner’s Office has a useful guide: How to access information from a public body, which provides useful information to consider when making a request.

Most requests for information are free of charge. However, if we estimate the cost of locating, retrieving, and extracting the information will take more than 18 working hours, your request could be chargeable.

If you are unhappy with our response to a request you have made under the Freedom of Information Act or Environmental Information Regulations, you have the right to request an internal review of the decision.

What happens next?

We will advise you within 20 working days if we hold the information you have requested and can release it.

The Freedom of Information Act allows us, in exceptional cases, to extend the 20 working day response time where we are exempting information in accordance with a qualified exemption. This allows us to fully consider where the public interest lies.

If your requested information falls within categories specified in the Act, such as personal data about individual employees, we may withhold it.

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