public records request

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "public records request" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a formal request for access to documents or information held by government agencies or public bodies. Example: "I submitted a public records request to obtain the minutes from the last city council meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

A general question is not a public records request.

Columbia University

This week they released e-mails they said they had obtained through a public records request.

The New York Times - Arts

"Like anyone else filing a public records request, I don't have to give a reason".

The New York Times

We obtained a copy of the letter, posted here, through a public records request.

The New York Times

The district attorney's office rejected a public records request for any information relating to the case.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, in other jurisdictions, police misconduct records are easily accessible via public records request.

The Washington Post

All I needed was a public records request and a day or two of patience.

The Washington Post

The emails were obtained by the liberal watchdog group American Oversight through a public records request.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

He said his decision was unrelated to the public-records request.

The New York Times

Facchina, declined a public-records request to provide an item-by-item breakdown.

The Washington Post

The Sierra Club's original public-records request covered the period ending Dec. 6.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When submitting a "public records request", be as specific as possible about the records you are seeking to ensure a more efficient and accurate response from the relevant agency.

Common error

Understand that certain types of information, such as classified data or information protected by privacy laws, may be exempt from disclosure even under a "public records request".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "public records request" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the action of formally requesting access to government-held information, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "public records request" is a widely used and grammatically correct term for formally seeking information from government bodies. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase with neutral to professional register, primarily used in contexts related to news, media, and academia. Alternatives include "freedom of information request" and "government records inquiry". Remember to be specific when making a request and recognize that some information may be exempt from disclosure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

freedom of information request

Focuses on the right to access information, emphasizing the principle of transparency.

FOIA request

An initialism standing for Freedom Of Information Act request. This is more specific, and refers to legislation.

government records inquiry

Uses a more formal tone, emphasizing the official nature of the records being sought.

open records application

Highlights the act of formally applying to access public records.

records access demand

Implies a more assertive approach to obtaining the records.

transparency request

Emphasizes the intent to promote government transparency through the request.

data access request

Highlights the aspect of getting access to specific data.

access to information application

Highlights the applicant's legal right to get information from the agency.

official information request

Stresses the official nature of the information being requested.

disclosure request

Focuses on the act of revealing or making information known.

FAQs

What is the purpose of a "public records request"?

The purpose of a "public records request" is to gain access to documents and information held by government agencies, promoting transparency and accountability.

What kind of information can I obtain through a "public records request"?

You can potentially obtain a wide range of information, including meeting minutes, financial records, correspondence, and other documents held by government agencies, unless they are protected by specific exemptions.

Is there a fee associated with filing a "public records request"?

Some agencies may charge fees for fulfilling a "public records request", particularly if it involves extensive staff time or resources to locate and copy the requested documents. Fee structures vary by jurisdiction.

What can I say instead of "public records request"?

You can use alternatives like "freedom of information request", "government records inquiry", or "open records application" depending on the context.