Open Records Laws in Argentina

Response Timeline

Business days (días hábiles). Extension requires justification when information is difficult to gather.

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

• Online form — Trámites a Distancia platform (requires DNI or AFIP tax ID)
• In person — Written note to any state agency intake desk (Mesa de Entradas)
• Mail — Postal mail to government agency
• Email — Electronic submission accepted per Article 9

Article 9 allows requests "por escrito o por medios electrónicos." Article 4 explicitly prohibits requiring requesters to justify their motivation or prove legal standing.

Required Elements

• Requester identity
• Clear identification of information sought
• Contact information for response delivery

Fees

Article 6: access to public information is free (gratuito) unless reproduction is required. Reproduction costs are borne by the requester.

Exemptions

• Defense and Foreign Policy
  Information classified as reserved, confidential, or secret regarding national defense or foreign policy
• Financial System Stability
  Information that could endanger proper functioning of banking or financial systems
• Trade Secrets
  Industrial, commercial, financial, scientific, technical, or technological secrets
• Third-Party Confidential Information
  Information obtained confidentially that could compromise rights of third parties
• Financial Intelligence Unit Data
  Information held by UIF regarding money laundering investigations
• Banking Regulatory Information
  Information from financial institution regulators or supervisory examinations
• Legal Advice and Strategy
  Attorney work product or investigation techniques that could reveal litigation strategy
• Professional Secrecy
  Information protected by professional privilege
• Personal Data
  Information containing personal data unless proper dissociation under Law 25,326
• Safety Risks
  Information that could endanger life or safety of any person
• Judicial Restrictions
  Information restricted by other laws or international treaties
• Active Investigations
  Reserved investigative information whose disclosure could frustrate investigation success
• Public Company Information
  Information from publicly-traded companies subject to specific disclosure regimes

All exemptions are discretionary. Article 1 facilitation principle: exemptions apply ONLY when harm to protected interest is GREATER than public interest in disclosure — requires case-by-case balancing. CRITICAL: all Article 8 exemptions become inapplicable in cases of serious human rights violations, genocide, war crimes, or crimes against humanity. Denials must be decided by highest authority with reasoned justification.

Appeal Process

Two-tier system: (1) administrative complaint to AAIP within 40 business days, decision in 30 business days; (2) direct judicial review via amparo within 40 business days, without needing to exhaust administrative remedies.

Request Templates

Records Retention

Ley N.° 15.930 (1961)

View retention law →

Sources & References

• Full text of law →
• Primary source →
• Agencia de Acceso a la Información Pública (AAIP) →
• Solicitar Información Pública →
• Portal Nacional de Transparencia →
• CELE — Argentina Law 27.275 Analysis →