Right to Know
How to Make a Request for Records
All Right-to-Know Law ("RTKL") requests must be addressed to the Right-to-Know Officer (Open Records), as follows:
Right-To-Know Law Request Form
A request should identify or describe the records sought with sufficient specificity to enable the Right-to-Know Officer to ascertain which records are being requested and shall include the name and mailing address to which a response should be addressed. You are not required to state a reason for making a request for records.
While verbal requests may be fulfilled, the requester cannot pursue the relief and remedies provided under the RTKL unless the request is in writing. The RTKL allows five (5) business days for a response to be provided to a requestor and a verbal request will not expedite a response by the Right-to-Know Officer.
Make sure when you file a request, you are seeking records and not asking for legal advice, opinions or guidance. The RTKL requires only the release of public records and allows for the charge of reasonable fees including, but not limited to, copying and postage.
How to File an Appeal
If access is denied, in whole or in part, the requester may file an appeal with the Appeals Officer, within fifteen (15) business days of the mailing date of the denial or within fifteen (15) business days of a deemed denial, to the following address:
Office of Open Records
Commonwealth Keystone Building
400 North Street, Plaza Level
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225
openrecords@state.pa.usa
The appeal shall state the grounds upon which the requester asserts that the record is a public record and shall address any grounds stated by the Right-to-Know Officer for denying the request.
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