Inspection of Public Records Request

A person desiring to inspect public records may submit a request to the Records Custodian orally or in writing. However, the procedures and penalties prescribed by the Act apply only to written requests. A written request must contain the person making the request's name, address, and telephone number. The request must describe the records sought in sufficient detail to enable the Records Custodian to identify and locate the requested records.

The Records Custodian must permit inspection immediately or as soon as practicable but no later than 15 calendar days after the Records Custodian receives the inspection request. If inspection is not permitted within three business days, the person making the request will receive a written response explaining when the records will be available for inspection or when the public body will respond to the request. If any of the records sought are not available for public inspection, the person making the request is entitled to a written response from the Records Custodian explaining the reasons the inspection has been denied. The written denial shall be delivered or mailed within 15 calendar days after the Records Custodian receives the request for inspection.

The fee for printed documents 1 inch by 17 inches or smaller is $0.50 per page. The fee for larger documents wil be determined based on the type of document. The fee for downloading records to a computer disk is $1.00, and for a thumb drive is $5.00. The Records Custodian may request that applicable fees for copying public records be paid in advance before copies are made. A receipt indicating that the fees have been paid will be provided upon request to the person requesting the copies. Records that are already in electronic format can be submitted to the person requesting the records electronically. The requestee agrees to pay such charges for the requested documents.