List of U.S. Government Agencies and Departments

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List of United States Government Agencies
A list of United States government agencies.

The United States Government makes a wealth of resources and information available to the general public that can be extremely useful for private investigators. This article includes a list of government agencies and resources that may be helpful to private investigators. Resources include intelligence agencies, various bureaus and departments, libraries, state information, and other resources. Also, see our list of Federal Regulatory Agencies.

List of Government Agencies, Bureaus, Commissions, and Departments

Following is an alphabetical list of organizations in the United States federal executive, legislative and judicial branches. This list of government agencies is not comprehensive, nor will it remain completely accurate, as agencies are shut down, and new ones are formed regularly.

  • 9-11 Commission (National Commission on Terrorist Attacks on the U.S.)
  • Administration on Aging (AOA)
  • Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
  • Administrative Committee of the Federal Register
  • Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts
  • Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
  • African Development Foundation
  • Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
  • Agency for International Development
  • Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
  • Agricultural Marketing Service
  • Agricultural Research Service
  • Air Force
  • Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (Treasury)
  • Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Bureau
  • American Battle Monuments Commission
  • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
  • Appalachian Regional Commission
  • Architect of the Capitol
  • Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board)
  • Arctic Research Commission
  • Armed Forces Retirement Home
  • Arms Control and International Security
  • Army
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Interagency Coordinating Committee
  • Bankruptcy Courts
  • Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation
  • Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs Office
  • Border Patrol (see Customs and Border Protection)
  • Botanic Garden
  • Broadcasting Board of Governors
  • Bureau of Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade
  • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
  • Bureau of the Census
  • Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
  • Bureau of Engraving and Printing
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Bureau of Industry and Security (formerly the Bureau of Export Administration)
    Bureau of International Labor Affairs
  • Bureau of Justice Statistics
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics – Responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy.
  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • Bureau of Prisons
  • Bureau of Public Debt
  • Bureau of Reclamation

Bureau of Transportation (BOT) – responsible for ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible, and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people today and into the future.


Census Bureau
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) –  As one of the most influential organizations on this list of government agencies, the CDC protects America from health, safety, and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S.


Census – U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of the Census
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services


Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) – The Central Intelligence Agency, headquartered in Langley, Virginia, was created in 1947 with the signing of the National Security Act by President Harry Truman. The CIA coordinates the nation’s intelligence activities and correlates, evaluates, and disseminates intelligence that affects national security.


  • Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigations Board
  • Chief Financial Officers Council
  • Chief Information Officers Council
  • Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee
  • Citizenship and Immigration Services Bureau Service
  • Civilian Radioactive Waste Management
  • Coalition Provisional Authority (Iraq)
  • Coalition Provisional Authority Inspector General
  • Coast Guard
  • Commerce Department
  • Commission of Fine Arts
  • Commission on Civil Rights
  • Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the U.S Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction
  • Commission on International Religious Freedom
  • Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements
  • Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled
  • Commodity Futures Trading Commission
  • Community Development Office (Agriculture Department)
  • Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
  • Community Planning and Development
  • Comptroller of the Currency Office
  • Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
  • Constitution Center
  • Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
  • Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
  • Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
  • Corporation for National and Community Service
  • Council of Economic Advisers
  • Council on Environmental Quality
  • Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
  • Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
  • Court of Federal Claims
  • Court of International Trade

Customs and Border Protection – U.S. Customs and Border Protection is a federal law enforcement agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security. Customs is responsible for regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing hundreds of U.S. regulations, including trade, drug, and immigration laws. The agency’s primary mission is to prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States.


The United States Border Patrol is a federal law enforcement agency within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It is a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). U.S. Border Patrol Agents are responsible for immigration and border law enforcement. Agents prevent terrorists and weapons from entering the United States. In addition, they deter, detect, and apprehend illegal aliens and individuals involved in the illegal drug trade who enter the United States other than through designated ports of entry.


Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
Defense Commissary Agency
Defense Contract Audit Agency
Defense Contract Management Agency
Defense Field Activities
Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)


Defense Intelligence Agency – provides military intelligence to defense policymakers and force planners in the Department of Defense and the general Intelligence Community. The agency provides intelligence to support the U.S. military in planning and operations and acquiring weapon systems.


  • Defense Legal Services Agency
  • Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)
  • Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
  • Defense Security Cooperation Agency
  • Defense Security Service
  • Defense Threat Reduction Agency
  • Delaware River Basin Commission
  • Denali Commission
  • Department of Agriculture (USDA)
  • Department of Commerce (DOC)
  • Department of Defense (DOD)
  • Department of Defense Inspector General
  • Department of Education (ED)
  • Department of Energy (DOE)
  • Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Department of Homeland Security – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has three primary missions: Prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural disasters.


Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Department of the Interior (DOI)

Department of Justice – Responsible for enforcing the law and defending its interests according to the law.

Department of Labor (DOL)
Department of State (DOS)
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Department of the Treasury
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Disability Employment Policy Office
Domestic Policy Council
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Economic Analysis, Bureau of
Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs
Economic and Statistics Administration
Economic Development Administration
Economic Research Service
Election Assistance Commission
Elementary and Secondary Education
Employee Benefits Security Administration
Employment and Training Administration (Labor Department)
Employment Standards Administration
Endangered Species Committee
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Energy Information Administration
Engraving and Printing, Bureau of
Environment, Safety, and Health
Environmental Management
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Executive Office for Immigration Review
Export-Import Bank of the United States
Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Office
Farm Credit Administration
Farm Service Agency
Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – The FBI is the investigative arm of the US Department of Justice. It is probably the most well-known on this list of government agencies Learn more by reading these FBI books.

Federal Bureau of Prisons – Learn about the department responsible for managing the federal prison system. Also, learn how to find someone who is incarcerated.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)


Federal Citizen Information Center – Provides information government via a nationwide toll-free telephone number, 1 (800) FED-INFO. The NCC responds to thousands of government information requests every business day, providing the information directly or locating the source of assistance for the caller.


Federal Consulting Group
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
Federal Election Commission (FEC)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Executive Boards
Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council
Federal Financing Bank
Federal Highway Administration
Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight
Federal Housing Finance Board
Federal Interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds
Federal Interagency Council on Statistical Policy
Federal Judicial Center
Federal Labor Relations Authority
Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Federal Library and Information Center Committee
Federal Maritime Commission
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Federal Railroad Administration
Federal Reserve System
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Federal Transit Administration
Federated States of Micronesia


Financial Management Service (Treasury Department) – The Financial Management Service provides central payment services to federal agencies, operates the federal government’s collections and deposit systems, provides government-wide accounting and reporting services, and manages the collection of delinquent debt owed to the government.

The list of government agencies continues below.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Food and Nutrition Service
Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Service
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Foreign Agricultural Service
Foreign Claims Settlement Commission
Forest Service
Fossil Energy
Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board
General Accounting Office (GAO)
General Services Administration (GSA)
Geological Survey (USGS)
Global Affairs (State Department)
Global Communications Office (White House)

Government Printing Office (GPO) – The most popular government site. Search by branch or topic for official government versions of executive, legislation, and judicial information. Search and retrieve full text from more than 50 official online databases arranged in an alphabetical list and by a branch of government.

Government National Mortgage Association
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation
Health and Human Services Department (HHS)
Health Resources and Services Administration
Holocaust Memorial Museum
House of Representatives
House Leadership Offices
House Office of Inspector General
House Office of the Clerk
House of Representatives Committees
House Organizations, Commissions, and Task Forces
House Representatives on the Web
Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD)
Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Commission
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Bureau of
Immigration and Naturalization Service
Indian Affairs, Bureau of
Indian Arts and Crafts Board
Indian Health Service
Industrial College of the Armed Forces
Industry and Security, Bureau of
Information Resource Management College
Institute of Education Sciences
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Institute of Peace
Interagency Alternative Dispute Resolution Working Group
Interagency Council on Homelessness
Interagency Electronic Grants Committee
Inter-American Foundation
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB)
International Trade Administration (ITA)
James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation
Japan-United States Friendship Commission
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries
Joint Chiefs of Staff
Joint Forces Staff College
Judicial Circuit Courts of Appeal
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
Justice Programs Office
Justice Statistics, Bureau of
Land Management, Bureau of
Lead Hazard Control
Legal Services Corporation
Library of Congress
Marine Corps
Marine Mammal Commission
Maritime Administration
Marketing and Regulatory Programs (Agriculture Department)
Marshals Service
Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
Merit Systems Protection Board
Migratory Bird Conservation Commission
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Mineral Management Service
Minority Business Development Agency
Mint
Missile Defense Agency
Mississippi River Commission
Morris K. Udall Foundation: Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy
Multifamily Housing Office
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
National Agricultural Statistics Service
National AIDS Policy Office
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare
National Capital Planning Commission
National Cemetery Administration (Veterans Affairs Department)
National Commission on Libraries and Information Science
National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9-11 Commission)
National Communications System (Homeland Security)
National Constitution Center
National Council on Disability
National Credit Union Administration
National Defense University
National Drug Intelligence Center
National Economic Council
National Endowment for the Arts
National Endowment for the Humanities
National Gallery of Art
National Guard
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
National Imagery and Mapping Agency
National Indian Gaming Commission
National Institute of Justice
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Interagency Fire Center
National Labor Relations Board
National Marine Fisheries
National Mediation Board
National Nuclear Security Administration
National Ocean Service
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
National Park Foundation
National Park Service
National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK)

National Reconnaissance Office – The NRO designs, builds and operates the nation’s reconnaissance satellites. NRO products can warn of potential trouble spots worldwide, help the military plan operations, and monitor the environment.

National Science Foundation


National Security Agency (NSA) –  Responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, which involves the process of cryptanalysis. The agency is also responsible for protecting United States government communications and information systems from similar agencies elsewhere, which involves the process of cryptography.


National Security Council – The National Security Council is the President’s principal forum for considering national security and foreign policy matters with his senior national security advisors and cabinet officials.


National Technical Information Service
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
National Transportation Safety Board
National War College
National Weather Service
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Navajo and Hopi Relocation Commission
Navy
Northern Mariana Islands
Northwest Power Planning Council
Nuclear Energy, Science, and Technology
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
Office of Compliance
Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight
Office of Government Ethics
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
Office of Personnel Management
Office of Science and Technology Policy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information
Office of Special Counsel
Office of Thrift Supervision
Overseas Private Investment Corporation
Pardon Attorney Office
Parole Commission (Justice Department)
Patent and Trademark Office
Peace Corps
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
Policy Development and Research
Political Affairs (State Department)
Postal Rate Commission
Postsecondary Education
Power Administrations
President’s Commission on Moon, Mars, and Beyond
President’s Commission on the U.S. Postal Service
President’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency
President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board
Presidio Trust
Public Debt, Bureau of
Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs (State Department)
Public Health Preparedness Office
Public and Indian Housing
Radio and TV Marti (Español)
Radio Free Asia (RFA)
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
Railroad Retirement Board
Reclamation, Bureau of
Regulatory Information Service Center
Rehabilitation Services Administration (Education Department)
Research, Education, and Economics (Agriculture Department)
Research and Special Programs Administration
Risk Management Agency (Agriculture Department)
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Rural Development
Rural Housing Service
Rural Utilities Service
Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation


Secret Service – The United States Secret Service protects the President and Vice President, their families, heads of state, and other designated individuals; investigates threats against these protectees; protects the White House, Vice President’s Residence, Foreign Missions, and other buildings within Washington, D.C.; and plans and implements security designs for designated National Special Security Events.

Additionally, the Secret Service investigates violations of laws relating to the counterfeiting of obligations and securities of the United States. In addition, they investigate financial crimes that include but are not limited to access device fraud, financial institution fraud, identity theft, and computer fraud. Also, they cover computer-based attacks on our nation’s financial, banking, and telecommunications infrastructure.


Science Office (Energy Department)
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Selective Service System
Senate
Senate Committees
Senate Leadership
Senators on the Web
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Smithsonian Institution
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Social Security Advisory Board
Special Education and Rehabilitative Services


State Department – The United States Department of State was created in 1789 and was the first executive department established by the U.S. government. The department is often referred to as the “State Department” and is the federal executive department that is responsible for:

  • International relations of the United States
  • Serving as the equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries
  • U.S. diplomatic missions abroad
  • Implementing U.S. foreign policy
  • U.S. diplomacy efforts

The department is led by the Secretary of State, who is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate and is a member of the Cabinet. The department’s headquarters building is physically located at 2201 C. Street, NW, in Washington D.C., inside the Harry S. Truman Building. The U.S. Department of State website serves as a portal of information on foreign policy and information about the State Department. The Office of Electronic Information manages it, Bureau of Public Affairs The Phone Number is 703-875-5084. The email address is websitecomments@state.gov.


State Justice Institute
Stennis Center for Public Service
Student Financial Assistance Programs
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Superfund Basic Research Program
Supreme Court of the United States
Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement
Surface Transportation Board
Susquehanna River Basin Commission
Tax Court
Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP)
Technology Administration
Tennessee Valley Authority
Trade and Development Agency
Trade Policy Staff Committee (House of Representatives)
Transportation Security Administration
Treasury Department
U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

U.S. Government Accountability Office – Reports and testimony, decisions and opinions, and policy and publications. Includes findings and recommendations from its audits, surveys, investigations, and evaluations of federal programs.

U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Works to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people

U.S. International Trade Commission
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
U.S. National Central Bureau – Interpol (Justice Department)
U.S. Postal Service
U.S. Sentencing Commission
U.S. Trade Representative
U.S. Virgin Islands
Unified Combatant Commands (Defense Department)
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Veterans Affairs Department (VA)
Veterans Benefits Administration
Veterans Day National Committee
Veterans’ Employment and Training Service
Veterans Health Administration
Vietnam Educational Foundation
Vocational and Adult Education
Voice of America (VOA)
White House
White House Commission on Presidential Scholars
White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance
White House Office of Administration
Women’s Bureau (Labor Department)
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Worldnet Television


More About United States Government Intelligence Agencies

The United States Government created United States Government Intelligence Agencies to protect America and its citizens.  U.S. Intelligence agencies provide national security by:

  • Gathering, evaluating, and disseminating information that affects national security and the safety of American citizens, land, and property
  • Providing intelligence to the military, including the Marines, Army, Air Force, and Navy
  • Protecting the nation’s borders
  • Reducing America’s vulnerability to terrorism and terrorist acts
  • Investigating specific crimes
  • Advising on foreign policy matters

Federal Agencies, Bureaus, and Departments

  • Federal Regulatory Agencies – A list of the primary regulatory agencies and their services.
  • The Pentagon – The Pentagon is the headquarters building for the Department of Defense. Learn about the building and the operations contained within.

Government and Public Libraries

Government libraries are excellent sources of data and information for investigative professionals. Libraries store a wealth of resources such as books, microfilm, microfiche, audiotapes, CDs, vinyl records, cassettes, VHS tapes, DVDs, CD-ROMs, databases, maps, and so much more. In addition, the libraries are staffed with knowledgeable librarians, historians, and experts.

Many resources stored in governmental libraries are also available in electronic and/or digital format and online. Below is a partial list of some of the more prominent collections:

List of Government Websites with State Information

Other Information, Research Tools

Questions, Comments, and Suggestions

If you have any questions about this list of government agencies or have suggestions for other users, please comment below.

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