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Link to Right To Know Request Form

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Document Overview

This is the Standard Right-to-Know Law Request Form issued by the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. It is designed for individuals or entities to formally request public records from government agencies within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Key Instructions and Deadlines

  • Submission: The form must be completed thoroughly, and a copy should be retained by the requester.
  • Appeals: If a request is denied or deemed denied, the requester has 15 business days to file an appeal.
  • Response Time: Agencies are generally required to respond within 5 business days (with a potential 30-day extension).

Form Sections and Requirements

The form is divided into specific sections to gather necessary information:

  • Submission Details: The requester must identify the agency name, the date of the request, and the method of submission (Email, U. S. Mail, Fax, or In Person).
  • Requester Information: Fields are provided for the name of the person making the request, their company (if applicable), mailing address, contact details (phone, fax, email), and preferred method of contact.
  • Records Requested: This section requires a clear and concise description of the records sought. The instructions emphasize that requests should seek records, not ask questions, and do not require the requester to explain why they want the information.
  • Delivery Preferences: The requester must specify if they want copies (electronic or printed) or if they prefer in-person inspection.
  • Certification and Fees:
    • Requesters can opt for certified copies (subject to additional costs).
    • The form references the Official RTKL Fee Schedule.
    • Requesters can request notification if fees will exceed $100.

Agency Use Only

The bottom section of the form is reserved for agency officials to track:

  • Tracking numbers and dates received.
  • Response due dates (including any 30-day extensions).
  • The final decision on the request (Granted, Partially Granted & Denied, or Denied).
  • Costs to the requester.
  • Confirmation that third parties were notified if necessary.

Additional Information

  • Public Record Status: The form notes that in most cases, a completed RTKL request form is itself a public record.
  • Resources: More information about the Right-to-Know Law is available at https://www. openrecords. pa. gov.
  • Version: The form was updated on November 27, 2018.
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