Appealing a Public Records Request Denial

If your public records request is denied, you can appeal to the Supervisor of Records.

Records custodians must comply with requests within 10 business days. If they do not respond, you can file an appeal. You must file your appeal within 90 calendar days of the original request.

If you 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:

1. The written request
2. The written response, if any
3. A brief letter detailing the reason for the appeal

You can mail, fax or email your appeal. 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).