Request for Public Records

Rushville’s elected and appointed officials are more than happy to share information with anyone interested. All you have to do is ask!

You can simply make a phone call or send a letter or an email to the person or office involved; however, for those wishing to make a more formal request for public records, we suggest using the following letter (modified to meet your specific needs).

SAMPLE LETTER 

Date

Public official or agency
Address
Rushville, IN 46173

RE: request for access to or a copy of a public record

Dear [name of public official]:

Pursuant to the Access to Public Records Act (Ind. Code 5-14-3), I would like to [read or obtain a copy of] the following public records:

(be sure to describe the records sought with enough detail, or as the statute indicates, with “reasonable particularity” for the public agency to understand the request and be able to respond.) 

I understand if I seek a copy of this record, there may be a copying fee. Could you please inform me of that cost prior to making the copy? I can be reached at [phone number and/or email address].

If you do not provide a phone number, fax number or email address, the agency will likely mail the response to you by regular mail.)

According to the statute, you have ____ days/hours to respond to this request.

(If this letter is delivered personally to the public official’s office, the agency has 24 hours to respond to the request. If the letter is delivered by U.S. mail, email or fax, the agency has seven days to respond to the request.)

If you choose to deny the request, you are required to respond in writing and state the statutory exception authorizing the withholding of all or part of the public record and the name and title or position of the person responsible for the denial.

Thank you for your assistance on this matter.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Your Address

Your Contact Information