How to File a Public Records Request in New Jersey
New Jersey's Open Public Records Act (OPRA), codified at N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., replaced the prior 'Right to Know Law' and grants the public a broad right to inspect and copy government records maintained by public agencies. OPRA applies to all state, county, and municipal agencies, school districts, public authorities, and other publicly funded entities. Custodians must respond to requests within seven business days of receipt. The law defines 'government records' expansively to include any written, printed, electronic, audio, or image-processed document made or received in the course of official business. The burden of proving that a denial is lawful falls on the agency, not the requester. OPRA was significantly amended in September 2024 (P.L. 2024, c. 16), updating exemptions, prevailing-party fee provisions, and form requirements.
The Open Public Records Act (OPRA)
- Statutory Citation
- N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. (P.L. 2001, c. 404, as amended by P.L. 2024, c. 16)
- Response Deadline
- 7 business days
- Fee Provisions
- Under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5.b, the standard fee for printed copies is $0.05 per letter-size page and $0.07 per legal-size page. Records delivered by email or fax are free of charge. Agencies may charge actual cost for physical electronic media (CD-ROMs, DVDs, etc.). A 'special service charge' may be assessed when a request requires an extraordinary expenditure of time and effort, but the agency must notify the requester in advance and the requester may object. Deposits may be required for large requests.
- Key Exemptions
- OPRA contains 24 specific exemptions from disclosure, including: personnel records (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-10), ongoing law enforcement investigations (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3(a)), attorney-client privileged communications, deliberative materials, victims' personal information, security and infrastructure details, certain trade secrets, and records protected by court order or other state or federal law. The 2024 amendments (P.L. 2024, c. 16) added and updated several privacy-related exemptions. Agencies must redact only the exempt portions and release the remainder.
- Appeal Process
- If a request is denied or not fulfilled within seven business days, requesters may: (1) file a Denial of Access Complaint with the Government Records Council (GRC), an administrative body within the Department of Community Affairs — there is no statute of limitations for GRC complaints; or (2) file an action in New Jersey Superior Court within 45 calendar days of the denial. A prevailing requester is entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-6; mandatory fee awards apply where an agency commits an unreasonable denial, bad faith, or a knowing and willful violation.
- Ombudsman
- New Jersey's Government Records Council (GRC) is an independent administrative body within the Department of Community Affairs that handles OPRA complaints, issues advisory opinions, and provides training to custodians and the public. Requesters can reach the GRC toll-free at 1-866-850-0511 or online at www.nj.gov/grc.
City FOIA Guides in New Jersey
Select a city below for a detailed guide on how to file a public records request with that municipality.
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