How to File a Public Records Request in Utah
Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), codified at Utah Code Title 63G, Chapter 2, is the state's comprehensive open records law and the functional equivalent of the federal Freedom of Information Act. GRAMA establishes that all records are public unless expressly classified otherwise, and grants every person the right to inspect public records free of charge and to obtain copies during normal working hours. The law classifies records as public, private, protected, or controlled, placing the burden of justifying any restriction on the government entity. Governmental entities must respond to standard requests within 10 business days of receipt, or within 5 business days if the request benefits the public rather than the individual requester. GRAMA applies to state executive agencies, the Legislature, the Judiciary, and all political subdivisions including cities and counties.
The Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA)
- Statutory Citation
- Utah Code Title 63G, Chapter 2 (§§ 63G-2-101 through 63G-2-901)
- Response Deadline
- 10 business days
- Fee Provisions
- Filing a GRAMA request is always free. Government entities may charge fees to recover the actual cost of providing records, including staff time for compiling, formatting, and searching records (Utah Code § 63G-2-203). The City of South Jordan charges 25 cents per page for paper copies; additional fees may apply for records compiled in non-standard formats. Entities may require prepayment if estimated fees exceed $50. Fee waivers may be requested when disclosure is in the public interest, when the requester's legal rights are affected, or when the requester is the subject of the record.
- Key Exemptions
- GRAMA classifies non-public records as private, protected, or controlled (Utah Code §§ 63G-2-302 through 63G-2-304). Private records include personnel files, medical information, and personal data whose disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. Protected records include attorney-client communications, active law enforcement investigative files, trade secrets, and certain security information. Controlled records cover certain medical and research data. The government bears the burden of demonstrating that a specific classification applies before withholding any record.
- Appeal Process
- A requester who disagrees with a denial may appeal first to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the relevant agency within 30 days (Utah Code § 63G-2-401). If still unsatisfied, the requester may seek free mediation with the Government Records Ombudsman, or appeal to the Director of the Government Records Office within 30 days of the CAO's decision (Utah Code § 63G-2-403). Either party may then seek judicial review in district court within 30 days of the Director's order (Utah Code § 63G-2-404). A court may award attorney fees and costs to a requester who substantially prevails on appeal (Utah Code § 63G-2-802).
- Ombudsman
- Utah's Government Records Ombudsman, appointed by the State Archivist under Utah Code § 63G-2-703, provides free consultation and mediation services to help resolve GRAMA disputes before they reach a formal hearing. The Ombudsman can be reached through the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service at archives.utah.gov.
Read the full text of the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA)
City FOIA Guides in Utah
Select a city below for a detailed guide on how to file a public records request with that municipality.
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