Open records requests in California

How the California Public Records Act works

California's Public Records Act (Gov. Code § 7920 et seq.), substantially reformed and renumbered by Proposition 2 in 2022, governs access to state and local government records. California's constitution independently guarantees the public's right of access to government information, providing an additional legal foundation beyond the statute. Any person may request records from virtually any public agency in the state, from state departments to cities, counties, school districts, and special districts.

Agencies must determine within 10 calendar days whether disclosable records exist and notify the requester, with extensions of up to 14 additional days permitted for unusually complex or voluminous requests. Fees are limited to the direct cost of duplication. Notable exemptions include pre-decisional deliberative communications, personnel records, trade secrets, and attorney-client privileged materials. Courts may award attorney's fees to successful requesters, and the California Department of Justice also provides oversight.