Standard Right-to-Know Law Request Form
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Document Overview
This is the official Standard Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) Request Form for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, issued by the Office of Open Records. It is designed for residents to formally request access to public records held by state agencies.
Key Instructions and Deadlines
- Submission: The form must be completed thoroughly, and a copy should be retained by the requester.
- Appeals: If a request is denied or deemed denied, the requester has 15 business days to file an appeal.
- Response Time: Agencies are generally required to respond within 5 business days (with a potential 30-day extension).
Required Information
To submit a valid request, the form requires the following details:
- Agency Details: The name of the agency being contacted and the method of submission (Email, U. S. Mail, Fax, or In Person).
- Requester Contact Info: Name, company (if applicable), mailing address, email, telephone, and fax number.
- Preferred Contact Method: How the agency should reach out if they have questions (Telephone, Email, or U. S. Mail).
Describing the Records
- Clarity: The section "RECORDS REQUESTED" requires clear and concise descriptions.
- Specifics: Requesters should include subject matter, time frames, and types of records.
- Purpose: Requesters are not required to explain why they want the records or how they will be used, unless specifically required by law.
Delivery and Fees
- Format: Requesters can choose between electronic copies, printed copies, or in-person inspection.
- Certification: Certified copies are available but may incur additional costs.
- Cost Notification: The form allows requesters to set a fee threshold (e. g. , $100). If fees exceed this amount, the agency must notify the requester before proceeding.
- Fee Schedule: The form references an "Official RTKL Fee Schedule" for more details on costs.
Agency Use Only
The bottom section of the form is reserved for agency staff to track:
- Tracking numbers and dates received.
- Response due dates (including any 30-day extensions).
- The final decision: Granted, Partially Granted & Denied, or Denied.
- Costs to the requester and confirmation that third parties were notified if necessary.
Additional Resources
- Public Record Status: The form notes that a completed RTKL request is generally considered a public record.
- Website: More information is available at https://www. openrecords. pa. gov.
- Last Updated: The form was updated on November 27, 2018.