Open records requests in New York

How the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) works

New York's Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law, Article 6, §§ 84 to 90), known as FOIL, is one of the most well-known state open records statutes in the country. Any person may request records of all state and local agencies, including state departments, public authorities, municipalities, school boards, and other governmental entities. Agencies must acknowledge a request within five business days and must grant or deny the request, or provide a specific production date, within 20 business days.

New York's Committee on Open Government, housed in the Department of State, provides formal advisory opinions and public guidance on FOIL compliance, making it one of the most active advisory bodies in the country. Fees for copies are capped by statute. Common exemptions include inter-agency deliberative materials, attorney-client communications, personnel records, and records that if disclosed would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Courts may award attorney's fees in cases of unjustified denial. New York also maintains a separate Article 7 governing the Legislature's transparency obligations.