State Sample FOI Request Letters

Submitting an open records request to a state, county or local government is not difficult.  However, a complete, well-written letter or email submitted to the right agency may increase your chances of getting a satisfactory response and avoiding delays or the need for further correspondence.

Most states’ FOI laws require that public records requests be made in writing. Even if your state does not, it is often a good idea to make a written request so that you have documentary evidence that the request was made.

Click the appropriate link below to find a sample letter template that you can use for preparing and submitting your open records request under your state’s public disclosure laws.

If you wish to submit an open records or FOIA request to the federal government versus a state, county or local government, see these examples of Federal sample FOIA request letters.

Sample State Letters for FOI and Public Records Requests

Alabama Sample FOIA Request

Alaska Sample FOIA Request

Arizona Sample FOIA Request

Arkansas Sample FOIA Request

California Sample FOIA Request

Colorado Sample FOIA Request

Connecticut Sample FOIA Request

Delaware Sample FOIA Request

Florida Sample FOIA Request

Georgia Sample FOIA Request

Hawaii Sample FOIA Request

Idaho Sample FOIA Request

Illinois Sample FOIA Request

Indiana Sample FOIA Request

Iowa Sample FOIA Request

Kansas Sample FOIA Request

Kentucky Sample FOIA Request

Louisiana Sample FOIA Request

Maine Sample FOIA Request

Maryland Sample FOIA Request

Massachusetts Sample FOIA Request

Michigan Sample FOIA Request

Minnesota Sample FOIA Request

Mississippi Sample FOIA Request

Missouri Sample FOIA Request

Montana Sample FOIA Request

Nebraska Sample FOIA Request

Nevada Sample FOIA Request

New Hampshire Sample FOIA Request

New Jersey Sample FOIA Request

New Mexico Sample FOIA Request

New York Sample FOIA Request

North Carolina Sample FOIA Request

North Dakota Sample FOIA Request

Ohio Sample FOIA Request

Oklahoma Sample FOIA Request

Oregon Sample FOIA Request

Pennsylvania Sample FOIA Request

Rhode Island Sample FOIA Request

South Carolina Sample FOIA Request

South Dakota Sample FOIA Request

Tennessee Sample FOIA Request

Texas Sample FOIA Request

Utah Sample FOIA Request

Vermont Sample FOIA Request

Virginia Sample FOIA Request

Washington Sample FOIA Request

West Virginia Sample FOIA Request

Wisconsin Sample FOIA Request

Wyoming Sample FOIA Request