Open Records Laws › United States › New York

New York

Freedom of Information Law

N.Y. Public Officers Law §§ 84-90

Open Records Transparency: 88/100 (excellent) Transparency Score: 88/100

Response Timeline

Initial Response
5 days
Extension
20 days

5 business days for initial response (provide records, deny, or acknowledge). If acknowledged, must provide approximate date within 20 business days. If more time needed, must explain reason and give specific reasonable date. Constructive denial if no response within 5 business days.

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

  • Written
  • Email

Required Elements

  • Requirement — Reasonable description of records sought
  • Requirement — Requester contact information

Optional Elements

  • Optional — Preferred format (paper or electronic)
  • Optional — Request for email response (agency must comply if requested)

Fees

Fee Waivers

  • notes
  • nonprofit
  • news_media
  • public_interest

Exemptions

  • Statutory Exemptions
    Records specifically exempted from disclosure by state or federal statute
  • Privacy & Personal Information
    Records that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
  • Trade Secrets & Commercial Information
    Trade secrets, commercial or financial information obtained from a person
  • Law Enforcement Records
    Records compiled for law enforcement purposes that would interfere with investigations or proceedings
  • Safety
    Records that would endanger the life or safety of any person
  • Examination
    Examination questions or answers used to determine qualifications
  • Deliberative
    Inter-agency or intra-agency materials not statistical or factual tabulations; instructions to staff affecting the public; final agency policy or determinations
  • Public Safety & Security
    Records that would jeopardize an agency's capacity to guarantee security of its information technology assets
  • Technical
    Computer access codes, computer source code, or specifications of security equipment
  • Enforcement
    Photographs, microphotographs, or recorded images of traffic control monitoring by automated photo device systems

Appeal Process

1

1

2

2

3

3

Request Templates

https://www.nyclu.org/report/foil-toolkit
https://opengovernment.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/09/freedom-information-law-sample-letters.pdf
https://www.rcfp.org/open-government-guide/new-york/
https://www.nfoic.org/new-york-sample-foia-request/
https://opengovernment.ny.gov/make-foil-request

Records Retention

Retention Law
Arts and Cultural Affairs Law (State Archives and Records Management)
Authority
New York State Archives, State Education Department

N.Y. Arts & Cult. Aff. Law 57.05, 57.25; Article 57-A

View retention law →

Retention schedule catalog →

Article 57-A is the Local Government Records Law. The State Archives promulgates regulations governing retention and disposition. The consolidated LGS-1 schedule (effective 2021) replaced the previous CO-2, MU-1, MI-1, and ED-1 schedules. Online searchable database available.

Sources & References