Public Records Requests 101

All states and the federal government have public records laws in place that enable the public to request information about how our government works. Being able to request records like budget documents, city council meeting minutes, emails, or police body camera footage allows activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens to get a better picture of what is happening in our communities. Most importantly, access to public records serves as a crucial transparency measure by which we the people can hold our government accountable for its actions.

Public Records Requests 101: How to Request Public Information from Government Entities serves as a guide for individuals seeking to utilize public records laws to gather information about how government operates behind the scenes. This guide supports everyday Americans who endeavor to hold the government accountable for its actions and ensure that it remains a “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”