If a requestor believes a governmental body did not respond appropriately to a request for information, the requestor may file an informal complaint with this office. Also, sometimes this office issues an Open Records Letter ruling that directs a governmental body to release information. If the governmental body does not release it within a reasonable time, the requestor may file an informal complaint.
If this office receives a complaint, the Open Records Division will send you a letter describing the complaint. Respond to this letter in writing within ten business days. If you cannot respond within ten business days, or need to discuss the complaint, call our Hotline at 887-673-6839.
In every case, this office seeks to ensure that all documents that must be released are released. This is best achieved by a governmental body working directly with the requestor.
Find out their expectations, what they are looking for in a request,
Sometimes, we will include a Certification Form for your convenience. A certification form covers the most common ways a governmental body responds: The governmental body 1) has already released all documents at issue; 2) does not have documents responsive to the request; or 3) requested an Open Records Letter ruling from this office.
However, not every situation falls within one of those categories. You do not have to use the certification form we provide you. Instead, you may draft a response letter or brief to more accurately describe the situation.