Open Records Laws › El Salvador

El Salvador

Decreto Legislativo No. 534

Decreto Legislativo No. 534, Ley de Acceso a la Información Pública (LAIP — Law on Access to Public Information)

Open Records Transparency: 80/100 (excellent) Transparency Score: 80/100

RTI Rating: 120 (source)

Response Timeline

Initial Response
10 days
Extension
10 days
Residency Required
None

10 business days from submission. Extension of 10 additional business days if information exceeds 5 years old or for complex requests.

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

  • In person — Written or verbal request to Information Officer
  • Mail — Written requests by mail/courier
  • Email — Email or online portal (Portal Único)
  • Oral — In-person verbal request to Information Officer

Can use IAIP-approved form or free format. Article 66 allows written, verbal, electronic, or other suitable means.

Required Elements

  • Name of requester
  • Clear and precise description of information requested
  • Contact email for notifications
  • Signature
  • Identity document (DUI, driver's license, work ID, or student ID)

Optional Elements

  • Physical address for information delivery

Fees

Access and consultation of information is free under the principle of gratuity (Article 61). Reproduction and shipping costs may be charged but cannot exceed actual material and postage costs.

Exemptions

  • Reserved Information
    Information that may harm national defense, public security, diplomatic relations, ongoing judicial processes, or public health
  • Confidential Information
    Personal data, family privacy, honor, medical records, trade secrets, technical knowledge, and commercial information
  • Additional Classification Grounds
    Supplementary criteria for classifying information as reserved, covering diplomatic relations and judicial processes

Two-tier exemption system: reserved information (Art. 19, national interests) and confidential information (Art. 24, privacy/commercial). Exemptions have been criticized for abuse, with officials adding requested information to classified indices after requests are submitted.

Appeal Process

1

Internal Appeal to Denying Entity

Added by 2020 reforms (Decree 34). Must exhaust before going to IAIP.

2

Administrative Appeal to IAIP

IAIP has 15 business days to resolve. Only after exhausting internal appeal.

3

Judicial Review

Reviews IAIP decisions on administrative law grounds.

2020 reforms (Decree 34) weakened LAIP by requiring internal appeal before IAIP involvement. Previously requesters could go directly to IAIP. Both internal and IAIP appeals have 15 business day resolution deadlines.

Sources & References