Utah
Utah Government Records Access and Management Act
Utah Code § 63G-2-201 et seq.
Transparency Score: 92/100
Response Timeline
10 business days for initial response. Extensions available with notice to requester but no specific time limit stated in statute. Agency must approve or deny the request within the response period.
No residency requirement. Any person may request records.
How to Submit a Request
Accepted Methods
Written requests are standard. Request should reasonably describe the records sought. No requirement to state purpose of request for public records.
Required Elements
- Description of records sought
- Contact information for response
Optional Elements
- Preferred format (paper vs electronic)
- Preferred delivery method
Fees
Reasonable actual cost for copies (§63G-2-203(1)). No charge for in-person inspection. Compilation fees only for requests requiring non-normal formatting. Prepayment required if estimated fees exceed $50. Fee waivers encouraged for requests that benefit the public or from indigent requesters.
Fee Waivers
- In-person inspection is always free
- Fee waivers encouraged for requests benefiting the public
- Fee waivers encouraged for indigent requesters
Fee waivers encouraged for public benefit and indigent requesters. No mandatory waiver but statute encourages agencies to waive fees when disclosure serves the public interest.
Exemptions
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Private, controlled, and protected records under three-tier classification (§63G-2-201(3))
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Personnel and disciplinary records (§63G-2-303)
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Security-related records (§63G-2-106)
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Attorney-client privileged communications (§63G-2-305)
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Trade secrets and commercial information (§63G-2-302)
Utah uses a unique three-tier classification system: public, private, protected, and controlled records. Private records are available only to the subject and certain government officials. Protected records are available only under specific circumstances. Controlled records require a court order or statutory authorization.
Appeal Process
1
Appeal to the head of the governmental entity within 30 days of denial.
2
Appeal to the State Records Committee (Government Records Office director) for administrative review.
3
Appeal to district court from Records Committee decision. AG/ombudsman mediation also available.
Multi-step appeal process: internal appeal to agency head, then State Records Committee, then district court. AG/ombudsman mediation is available as an alternative. The Records Committee provides a free administrative remedy before litigation.
Request Templates
NFOIC Utah Sample Request →
National Freedom of Information Coalition
RCFP Open Government Guide - Utah →
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
MuckRock Utah Guide →
MuckRock
Utah State Records Committee →
Utah State Archives
Records Retention
Utah Code 63G-2-604; Utah Code 63A-12
Utah law requires all government records be maintained and destroyed according to an approved retention schedule. The Division of Archives maintains General Retention Schedules (GRS) for common record types and agency-specific schedules approved by the Records Management Committee.