Public records access laws by jurisdiction
Every US state has an open records law — sometimes called a freedom of information act, public records act, or right-to-know law. These laws give the public the right to request and access records held by government agencies.
Open records laws are essential tools for lawyers, businesses, journalists, and citizens who need government information. Common uses include due diligence on government contracts, litigation support, regulatory monitoring, and competitive intelligence.
At the federal level, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) applies to federal agency records. Each state has its own statute with different scope, exemptions, timelines, and enforcement mechanisms. Some states — like Florida and California — have exceptionally broad open records laws. Others have more limited frameworks.
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press maintains the most authoritative guide to open records laws across all 50 states at rcfp.org/open-government-guide.
Full editorial content for this section is in development. The federal and state law listings below are current.