New Jersey FOIA procedures

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Each state varies slightly in the procedures used to gain access to public documents. This article serves to describe specifically the steps used in New Jersey. To read the history and details of New Jersey’s sunshine laws please see New Jersey Open Public Records Act

How to request public records in New Jersey

Records requests for municipalities are to be sent to the municipal clerk. All other records requests are to be directed to the public body in possession of the records.

Purpose and use

There is no requirement of a statement of purpose for OPRA requests. However, the law does not allow for anonymous requests.^[1] There are no restrictions placed on the used of records.

Who may request public records?

See also: List of who can make public record requests by state

Citizens of New Jersey may request public documents of the state. Government "records shall be readily accessible for inspection, copying, or examination by the citizens of this State". ^[2] The one exception is convicted criminals seeking information on victims. ^[1]

Fees

See also: How much do public records cost?

According to New Jersey law fees for records, in general, may only include the physical cost of the means of duplication. However, when the request involves an "extraordinary expenditure of time and effort" an additional fee may be charged. ^[1]

Response time

See also: Request response times by state

New Jersey law allows for up to seven days to respond to a records request. Failure by a department to repond in the time frame is considered a denial of the request. ^[1]

Exemptions

See also

• New Jersey Open Public Records Act
• New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act

External links

• Text of OPRA
• Website of the Government Records Council
• Obtaining police disciplinary records in NJ
• Open Government Guide to New Jersey

References

	v • d • e State of New Jersey Trenton (capital)
Transparency	Open Public Records Act | Transparency Checklist | Government corruption reports | Transparency Legislation | Open Records procedures | Transparency Advocates | Transparency blogs | State budget | Taxpayer-funded lobbying associations |
Divisions	State | List of Counties | List of Cities | List of School Districts | Evaluation of county websites | Evaluation of city websites | Evaluation of school district websites |
Government	New Jersey State Constitution | Executive | House of Representatives | Senate |
Judiciary	New Jersey Supreme Court | Superior Court | Judicial news | Judicial activist organizations |
Ballot Measures	2008 ballot measures | 2007 Ballot Measures | Procedures for qualifying an initiative | Amending the constitution | History of direct democracy | Campaign finance requirements |