Dominican Republic

Ley General de Libre Acceso a la Información Pública No. 200-04

Ley General de Libre Acceso a la Información Pública No. 200-04 (General Law on Free Access to Public Information No. 200-04)

RTI Rating: 58 (source)

Response Timeline

Initial Response

15 days

Extension

10 days

Residency Required

None

Initial response deadline is 15 business days from receipt of request. An exceptional extension of 10 business days may be granted if circumstances complicate information gathering. Extension must be communicated in writing before the initial 15-day deadline expires. Maximum total response time: 25 business days. Rejections must be communicated within 5 business days.

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

Requests must be submitted in writing (physical or electronic). The SAIP online portal provides standardized submission, automatic routing to responsible officials, deadline tracking, and real-time status updates. If a request is incomplete, the administration must notify the requester to correct deficiencies, with assistance provided by the receiving office.

Required Elements

Complete name and identification of requester
Clear and precise identification of requested data/information
Identification of public authority holding the information
Motivation/explanation of reasons for requesting the information
Contact details for receiving notifications

Optional Elements

Preferred format for receiving information
Specification of urgency or time sensitivity

Fees

Access to public information is free unless reproduction is required. Institutions may charge reasonable fees calculated according to established criteria and supply costs. Higher rates apply for commercial/profit-oriented use, with exemptions for educational and nonprofit institutions.

Fee Waivers

Educational institutions
Nonprofit organizations

Educational and nonprofit institutions are exempt from paying differentiated commercial rates for reproduction of documents.

Exemptions

National Security

Information linked to defense or state security that has been classified as "reserved", or affecting international relations
Timing Sensitivity

When untimely delivery of information could affect the success of a public measure
Financial Systems

Information that could harm banking or financial operations
Legal Strategy

Data that could compromise procedural strategy prepared by the administration in judicial proceedings
Classified Information

Secret information protecting scientific, technological, or commercial strategies where revelation could harm the national interest
Trade Secrets

Commercial, industrial, scientific, or technical secrets belonging to private parties or the state
Health and Safety

Information whose publication would put public health and safety at risk
Personal Data

Information risking invasion of privacy, except when demonstrating public interest value
Intellectual Property

Data affecting copyright or authorship rights

Law 200-04 establishes taxative (exhaustive) limitations to the right of access to public information. Article 17 covers public interest exemptions (national security, financial systems, trade secrets, etc.) while Article 18 covers private interest exemptions (personal data, intellectual property). Personal data may be disclosed with express consent of the affected party or when public interest value is demonstrated. No explicit public interest override clause; exemptions appear discretionary with balancing language.

Appeal Process

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Appeals follow a two-tier administrative process: (1) hierarchical appeal to superior within institution, (2) judicial appeal to Superior Administrative Court within 15 days. DIGEIG offers mediation services as alternative dispute resolution. All requests can be submitted via the unified SAIP portal at https://app.saip.gob.do/