How do I submit a request under the Georgia Open Records Act?

Georgia law, O.C.G.A. §§ 50-18-70, et. seq., allows for the following formats:

What is a GA Open Records Request?

The Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. §§ 50-18-70, et seq., governs which records are open for public inspection.

How long does it take to obtain a response from a request submitted under the GA Open Records Act?

The actual length of time varies between each request. Records that are readily available will be provided within three (3) business-days from the date the request is received by the Open Records Compliance Office. O.C.G.A. §50-18-71(b)(1)(A) In those instances wherein some, but not all records are available, the department will make production of the records as they become available. Please note, requests for 911 Call Center items require 2 to 8 weeks for processing.

How much does a request submitted under the GA Open Records Act cost?

The department utilizes the most economical means reasonably calculated to identify and produce responsive, non-exempt records. All costs are determined by the prorated hourly salary of the lowest paid person eligible to complete the request, plus search, retrieval, redaction, production, copying costs (ten cents per page) and postage. The first quarter hour is free of charge.

• Requests that cost under $25.00, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71 (c)(1), will be released along with an invoice payable upon reciept of requested items.
• If a request exceeds $25.00 but is less than $500.00, O.C.G.A. §50-18-71(d), the department will respond with the estimated cost and time-line of production of the record. Upon agreement to pay, the request will be processed and produced without delay, along with an invoice payable upon receipt of requested items.
• If a request exceeds $500.00, O.C.G.A. §50-18-71(d), the fee is required to be paid-in-full prior to search, retrieval and production. Upon payment, the request will be processed without delay.