From the Hotline

By Teri Henning
Pennsylvania Newspaper Association

Q: If I want records from an agency, do I have to make a request under the Right to Know Law, or can I request records informally?

A: The Right to Know Law does not prohibit a reporter or any member of the public from making requests informally. In some cases, an informal request will get you records (including records that may not meet the definition of “public records”) more quickly and easily. If an agency does not or will not respond quickly to your informal attempts, however, you should submit a written request for the records, invoking the Right to Know Law. Click here to find a draft request letter.

An agency can require that your request be made in writing. In addition, although an agency can permit e-mail requests (if its rules allow for them), the law does not require an agency to accept these requests. The Law does require an agency to accept hand-delivered, mailed, and faxed records requests.

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