Appealing a Denial of Access to Public Records in Massachusetts
If your public records request is denied, you can appeal to the Supervisor of Records.
Records custodians have to comply with requests within ten (10) business days. If they do not respond, you can file an appeal. You have to file the appeal within ninety (90) calendar days of the request.
If you have received a response, you can appeal within 90 days of the response.
To petition an appeal, you must send the Supervisor of Records copies of the following:- The written request
- The written response, if any
- A brief letter detailing the reason for the appeal
You may mail, fax or email your appeal. See the Contact Us page for information on how to reach the Public Records Division. Requesters must also provide a copy of the appeal petition to the records custodian.
For more information on the appeals process, please see 950 CMR 32.08 (1) or our publication, A Guide to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (PDF).