Public Records Request

FOIA grants Arkansans the right to access public records and attend public meetings, with certain exceptions. Any citizen of Arkansas, including corporations, may request records. The requester’s purpose for seeking information is irrelevant, and there are no restrictions on the subsequent use of the obtained information.

For most requests, records are provided within three business days. For more complex requests, we will inform you if additional time is needed.

Records that are legally required to be kept, or that document official functions or activities, are subject to FOIA. This includes records created or received by an agency, regardless of format, such as writings, recordings, films, tapes, or digital data compilations.

Key exemptions under FOIA include:

• Educational Records: Student education records protected by FERPA, unless disclosure aligns with FERPA guidelines.
• Medical and Adoption Records: Confidential records related to medical histories and adoptions.
• Personnel Records: Generally exempt if disclosure would be an invasion of privacy, except for certain public information like salary.
• Undisclosed Investigations: Investigations into suspected criminal activities that are not publicly disclosed.
• Security Information: Records on computer security, utility systems, and emergency plans that could affect public safety.
• Personal Contact Information: Home addresses, phone numbers, and emails of non-elected employees to protect privacy.

These exemptions help to balance transparency with the protection of sensitive information.​​​​​​​