Written requests for public records may be made by submitting the request in writing to the Department. It is strongly advised that requests include a telephone number or other method to contact the requesting party to clarify a request and/or advise when records are ready.
Department staff will request that verbal requests be put in writing for clarification, accuracy and record keeping. However, the California Public Records Act does not explicitly require a written request. Therefore, a requester shall not be denied access to records based solely on their refusal to make a request in writing.
Access to records will not be refused to any member of the public based solely on their wish to request records anonymously. The Department reserves the right to refrain from creating a document if the document does not exist, or to covert an original document to another format or media.
When a request for records has been received, Department staff will respond to the request within 10 days of the date of receipt. In cases where the records are not readily identifiable or accessible, or additional time is needed to determine if the record is disclosable, the requestor shall be informed that there will be a delay, the reason for the delay and an estimated time frame for the Department’s response (not to exceed an additional 14 days).
The requesting party will be notified as soon as copies are available.