How to Request Government Records
The following offers assistance and instructions on helping you complete the form so the records custodian will be able to promptly respond to your request. These instructions are also available in PDF format.
Determine the State Department, Division or Agency that has the record. It is very important that you have determined what record(s) you are seeking and that you have determined which department or agency can help you. A State records custodian can only respond to a request for specific records. A request to an incorrect agency is not considered a valid request and OPRA rights would not apply. The Department of the Public Advocate has six divisions: Rate Counsel, Public Interest Advocacy, Elder Advocacy, Mental Health Advocacy, Developmental Disabilities Advocacy and Administration. If you know which division holds the records you seek, please indicate the division on your request form. Provide Contact Information To assist the custodian in fulfilling your request, we may need to contact you for additional information about the record(s) you are requesting, to advise you of any fees, to tell you when they will be available, or to advise you if the record(s) you request cannot be disclosed. The form has room for your name, address, phone number, or your e-mail address. Please fill in enough information so the agency custodian can contact you. If you do not provide enough information, your request may be denied. If you want us to contact you by phone, please put in your number and the best time to contact you during business hours. Delivery of Information Please tell us how you would like us to send you the information. There will be an additional fee for delivery service. Convicted of an Indictable Offense If you have been convicted of an indictable offense under the laws of this State, any other state, or the United States, you may not receive records containing personal information pertaining to the victim of your crime or the victim's family except with a court order. If you have not been convicted, check no. If you have been convicted and you are requesting personal information, you may be required to provide information about your victim and their families before the request will be fulfilled. Payment Information If there is a charge to provide copies or access to records, the custodian will contact you to arrange for payment before the request will be fulfilled. Records Request Information Please clearly identify the record(s) you are seeking. Be certain to include all information that may be necessary for the custodian to fulfill the request. Your request will not be considered complete (and the seven business day response period will not start) until the custodian has enough information to fulfill the request. Please remember that there is certain information that public agencies may not disclose. This has particular reference to personal information, information related to domestic security, and other records. |
