Public Information/Records Request (2024)

FAQs

Why would someone make a FOIA request? ›

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), enacted in 1966, generally provides any person with the statutory right, enforceable in court, to obtain access to government information in executive branch agency records.

Who may file an OPRA request? Anyone! Although OPRA specifically references “citizens of this State,” (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1) the Attorney General's Office advises that OPRA does not prohibit access to residents of other states.

In order to be considered a valid request under OPRA, the request must identify the specific record(s) desired, the request must be submitted to the records custodian of the public agency that has the record, and the request must be in writing on the agency's records request form or some other written format (such as a ...

What is FOIA? Since 1967, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has provided the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency. It is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the know about their government.

Dear Sir/Madam: This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I request that a copy of the following document(s) be provided to me: [identify the documents as specifically as possible. i.e. all investigative records concerning ABC company, located at 555 Main Street, City, State, in the years 1997-1999.

Open access to public records is a cornerstone of American democracy. Such access is central to electing and monitoring public officials, evaluating government operations, and protecting against secret government activities.

Open Public Records Act (OPRA)

OPRA is a state law that was enacted to give the public greater access to government records maintained by public agencies in New Jersey. Government records available from Legislative offices are primarily Legislative records.

Under OPRA, the custodian must respond to request "as soon as possible," but requesters must receive a response within seven business days after the custodian receives a complete request.

Agencies can no longer withhold “intra-or inter-agency communications” that could otherwise be withheld under FOIA Exemption 5 alone if the internal documents are more than 25 years old.

Why do FOIA requests get denied? ›

Agencies "shall withhold information" under the FOIA "only if the agency reasonably foresees that disclosure would harm an interest protected by an exemption" or "disclosure is prohibited by law."

Personal and Agency Litigation – Failure to comply with a FOIA request can result in a lawsuit being filed against you or your agency to compel the release of the requested information.

You do not have to use a form, but the request must be in writing and specifically mention OPRA. The request can be hand-delivered, mailed, transmitted electronically, or otherwise conveyed to the appropriate records custodian.

Your right to attend public meetings is protected. The “Sunshine Law,” otherwise known as the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA), gives the public the right to be present at meetings of public bodies and to witness in full detail the deliberation, policy formulation and decision making of public bodies.

"Unusual circ*mstances" means (1) the need to search and collect documents from offices separate from the office processing the request; (2) the need to search and collect a large volume of records; or (3) the need to consult with another agency (or a separate subdvision of the same agency) having a substantial subject ...

The United States Supreme Court has explained that "[t]he basic purpose of [the] FOIA is to ensure an informed citizenry, vital to the functioning of a democratic society, needed to check against corruption and to hold the governors accountable to the governed."3 The "FOIA is often explained as a means for citizens to ...

Step 1: Make sure you clearly understand what records the requester is seeking. Step 2: Determine if you are likely to have records subject to the request. Step 3: Provide an estimate of search and review time and an estimate of pages if required. Step 4: What to do if expedited processing is required.

Personal and Agency Litigation – Failure to comply with a FOIA request can result in a lawsuit being filed against you or your agency to compel the release of the requested information.