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Chile

Ley N° 20.285 sobre Acceso a la Información Pública

Ley N° 20.285 sobre Acceso a la Información Pública (Law on Access to Public Information)

Open Records Transparency: 63/100 (good) Transparency Score: 63/100

RTI Rating: 94 (source)

Response Timeline

Initial Response
20 days
Extension
10 days
Residency Required
None

20 working days, extendable by 10 working days when circumstances make it difficult to gather information (requires notification to requester).

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

  • Online form — Portal de Transparencia (portaltransparencia.cl) or institutional websites
  • In person — Physical submission at agency office
  • Mail — Postal submission accepted

Article 10 grants "toda persona" (any person) the right to request information without citizenship or residency restrictions. No justification required.

Required Elements

  • Name and surname (or corporate name)
  • Address (postal or email) for receiving response

Fees

Ley 20.285 establishes principle of gratuidad (free access). CPLT General Instruction N°6 allows agencies to charge only direct reproduction costs. No fees for email delivery.

Exemptions

  • Law Enforcement
    Information that would prejudice prevention, investigation, or prosecution of crimes
  • Pre-decisional Deliberations
    Information or deliberations prior to adoption of a resolution, measure, or policy
  • Vexatious/Burdensome Requests
    Generic requests for large number of administrative acts that would unreasonably divert officials
  • Individual Rights
    Information affecting rights of persons, particularly safety, health, privacy, or commercial rights
  • National Security
    Information affecting security of the Nation, particularly national defense, public order, or public security
  • National Interest
    Information affecting national interest, particularly public health, international relations, or economic interests
  • Classified by Law
    Documents declared confidential or secret by qualified quorum law per Constitutional Article 8

Article 21 establishes exhaustive list of exemptions. RTI Rating: 94/150 (14/30 on exemptions). Oversight by CPLT (Consejo para la Transparencia).

Appeal Process

1

Administrative Complaint to CPLT

File if no response after 30 business days or dissatisfied with response. CPLT processes complaints within max 120 calendar days.

2

Reclamo de Ilegalidad (Illegality Claim)

15 business days from notification of CPLT decision denying access (Art. 28).

3

Supreme Court Review

Final judicial review via extraordinary remedies.

Both administrative (CPLT) and judicial (Courts of Appeal, Supreme Court) remedies. The CPLT is an autonomous entity with enforcement powers.

Records Retention

Retention Law
Ley N.° 21.045 — Crea el Ministerio de las Culturas, las Artes y el Patrimonio (Sistema Nacional de Archivos, Art. 33)
Authority
Archivo Nacional de Chile (Servicio Nacional del Patrimonio Cultural)

Ley N.° 21.045, Diario Oficial 3 de noviembre de 2017

View retention law →

Sources & References