Form to request Public Records

General Guidance

The City will assist members of the public in accessing public records within the requirements of state and federal law. To help us identify records sought, we ask that you provide a specific description so we may track down the requested materials. The City has up to ten business days to respond requests for records. In accordance with Mass General Law c.66 s.10, if search and/or copying costs are involved in a request, the City will provide a written estimate of such costs within the ten day period and require payment before any search or copying commences. If the records requested are exempt from disclosure under public records law, the City will provide a written explanation of the specific applicable exemptions.

Costs

The Supervisor of Records’  Public Access Regulations allows records custodians to charge 5 cents for black and white paper copies or computer printouts of public records for both single and double-sided sheets remains effective with the newest version of the law. If a response to a public records request requires more than 2 hours of employee time, a Records Access Officer may assess a fee of the hourly rate of the lowest paid employee with the skills necessary to search for, compile, segregate, redact, or reproduce a requested record. This fee shall not exceed $25 an hour.

For comprehensive information about public records laws, see the Secretary of State’s Guide to the Massachusetts Public Records Law or call 617.727.2832.