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Public records laws, state by state.
Every state has its own public records act, its own deadlines, its own fee rules, and its own exemptions. These pages put each state's law in plain language, reviewed against the statute's own text, for the people who answer requests and the people who make them.
Freedom of Information Act · MCL 15.231 to 15.246
Michigan
- 5 business days to respond, with one 10 business day extension
- Six fee components under MCL 15.234, with a free fee calculator
- Appeals to the head of the body, or circuit court within 180 days
Public Records Act · Chapter 42.56 RCW
Washington
- 5 business days to respond: produce, link, estimate, clarify, or deny
- No charge for locating or redacting; copying only, at the default rates
- Attorney fees plus up to $100 a day when a denial fails in court
Public Records Act · Gov. Code 7920.000 and following
California
- 10 days to decide, with one 14 day extension for unusual circumstances
- Duplication costs only; no charge for time spent searching or redacting
- Costs and attorney fees to a requester who prevails in court
Public Information Act · Government Code chapter 552
Texas
- Withholding needs an attorney general ruling, requested within 10 business days
- Labor chargeable only in defined cases, with an itemized estimate over $40
- Miss the ruling deadline and the information is presumed public
Freedom of Information Act · 5 ILCS 140
Illinois
- 5 business days to comply or deny, with one 5 business day extension
- First 50 pages free, 15 cents a page after, and no charge for review time
- Public Access Counselor review, plus penalties for willful violations
Public Records Law · Chapter 119, Florida Statutes
Florida
- No fixed day count; a prompt good-faith response is the duty
- 15 cents a page, plus a special service charge when use is extensive
- Attorney fees for unlawful refusal, after 5 business days written notice
Public Records Act · R.C. 149.43
Ohio
- Inspection promptly, copies within a reasonable period of time
- Copies at cost; no charge for the hours spent locating or redacting
- A $25 Court of Claims challenge, and damages up to $1,000 in mandamus
Freedom of Information Law · Public Officers Law art. 6
New York
- 5 business days to acknowledge, then grant, deny, or set a date certain
- 25 cents a page up to 9 by 14 inches; electronic prep free under two hours
- Appeals decided in 10 business days, then Article 78 review in court
More states
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We are adding states one at a time, each verified against its statute before it goes up. Want yours next? Tell us which one.
Each page is general information, not legal advice, and carries the date it was last reviewed.