Get Foia Template

The California Public Records Act (CPRA) was passed by the California Legislature in 1968 for government agencies and requires that government records be disclosed to the public, upon request, unless there are privacy and/or public safety exemptions which would prevent doing so.

Prompt access to public records is required by the CPRA (Government Code 6253). However, the agency has 10 days to respond to the request, either providing the information, or may provide a detailed explanation as to what information may be released or what cannot because it is protected by law.

Requests for public records may be made online, in person at any DIR office, by email, mail, telephone or fax. DIR encourages requesters to submit their requests in writing to avoid miscommunication regarding the records being sought, and to help ensure that the requesters get the records as soon as possible.

If the information you want is not publicly available, you can submit a FOIA request to the agency's FOIA Office. The request simply must be in writing and reasonably describe the records you seek. Most federal agencies now accept FOIA requests electronically, including by web form, e-mail or fax.

Please provide the following information: The name of the requestor. Organization (if any). A mailing address, telephone/fax number and/or email address. A specific description of the records requested.

On (date), I requested access to records under the Privacy Act of 1974. My request was assigned the following identification number: _____________. On (date), I received a response to my request in a letter signed by (name of official). I appeal the denial of my request.

Government Code § 6255 exempts from disclosure any records if “on the facts of the particular case the public interest served by not making the record public clearly outweighs the public interest served by disclosure of the record.”