Sample Records Request Letter

[Date]

Dear [Name of government custodian of record you are seeking]:

I am requesting a copy of the following records pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 22, the public records law.

[Detail here what records you want. Try to be as specific as possible to ensure that you receive what you are seeking. For example, “I would like copies of all correspondence between members of the city council and ABC Industries from June 10, 2013, through August 30, 2013.”]

The Iowa Public Information Board advises that most requests for records are routine and should be handled promptly. An Advisory Opinion issued by the IPIB on October 16, 2014, references a 2013 Iowa Supreme Court case (Horsfield Materials Inc. v. City of Dyersville) which states that an open record should “be provided promptly when requested unless the size and nature of the records make access infeasible.” If compliance for providing the record requires time due to the size or nature of the request, the custodian of the record should comply as soon as feasible.

Please contact me with the expected time frame for release of the records or if you have any questions about this request.

If there is a fee for fulfilling this request, please inform me in advance of the amount. Section 22.3 says that the fee shall not exceed the actual cost of providing the service.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
[Your name and contact information]