Open Records Laws › Guatemala

Guatemala

Ley de Acceso a la Información Pública

Ley de Acceso a la Información Pública, Decreto Número 57-2008 (Law of Access to Public Information, Decree No. 57-2008)

RTI Rating: 92 (source)

Response Timeline

Initial Response
10 days
Extension
10 days
Residency Required
None

Extension may be granted when volume and scope justify it. Extension must be communicated to requester within 2 days before initial deadline expires (Article 43).

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

  • {'notes': 'Verbal requests accepted at Public Information Unit', 'method': 'oral'}
  • {'notes': 'Written requests to Public Information Unit', 'method': 'mail'}
  • {'notes': 'Electronic requests accepted', 'method': 'email'}

All requests submitted through the Unidad de Información Pública (Public Information Unit) of the obligated subject. No specific reason or interest required (Article 41).

Required Elements

  • Identification of obligated subject (agency)
  • Identification of requester
  • Clear and precise identification of information requested

Optional Elements

  • Preferred format for response
  • Contact information for delivery

Fees

Article 18: access to public information is free for consultation and analysis in government offices. Only reproduction costs may be charged, limited to actual material costs. Electronic transmission via email is provided at no cost.

Exemptions

  • Constitutional Confidentiality
    Information expressly defined in Article 24 of the Constitution
  • Banking and Financial Information
    Information defined as confidential in the Banking and Financial Groups Law
  • Professional Secrecy
    Information classified as professional secrecy
  • Statutory Confidentiality
    Information considered confidential by express disposition of law
  • Sensitive Personal Data
    Sensitive personal data that can only be known by the data subject
  • Private Information Under Confidentiality
    Information from private parties received by government under guarantee of confidentiality
  • National Security — Military
    Military matters classified as national security
  • National Security — Diplomatic
    Diplomatic affairs classified as national security
  • Intellectual Property
    Intellectual property, industrial property, patents, or trademarks in possession of authorities
  • Law Enforcement and Justice
    Information whose disclosure could harm criminal investigation, prevention/prosecution, state intelligence, or administration of justice

Reserved information (Art 23) can be classified for max 7 years, extendable once for 5 additional years (max 12 years total). Harm test required: (1) information fits exception, (2) disclosure would threaten protected interest, (3) harm greater than public interest. Confidential information (Art 22) has no time limit.

Appeal Process

1

1

2

2

3

3

Internal administrative review → optional PDH complaint → judicial review. PDH provides oversight but lacks binding enforcement. Short 3-day filing deadlines for internal appeals.

Sources & References