Open records requests in Ohio

How the Ohio Public Records Law (Sunshine Law) works

Ohio's Public Records Law (ORC § 149.43) is widely considered one of the strongest and most litigated open records statutes in the country. The law provides any person the right to inspect and receive copies of public records of all state and local public offices, and uniquely does not require written requests, an oral request is legally sufficient. Ohio's law applies to all branches of state government, including the legislature and courts, as well as to local governments.

Agencies must respond "promptly" and "within a reasonable period of time," which Ohio courts have interpreted to mean minutes or hours for easily retrievable records, not days or weeks. Ohio's enforcement regime is distinctive: a requester denied access may file a mandamus action in the Ohio Court of Claims or courts of appeals, and the state is presumptively liable for statutory damages of $100 to $1,000 per incident if the denial is found willful. Attorney's fees are also available. Common exemptions include medical records, attorney-client communications, and certain law enforcement investigative records.