ByArkansas Freedom of Information Act in a Nutshell
The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a law that guarantees access to copies of public records and meetings for Arkansas residents. It developed from the first version of the FOIA, introduced in 1966.
Whatever your reason for requesting FOIA records is, filing a FOIA request is the fundamental step of the procedure. This guide serves to describe how DoNotPay—your new virtual assistant—can help you do it with zero bureaucratic hassle.
Our platform provides valuable tips for:
- Understanding the true meaning of FOIA
- Finding the desired records on yourself with ease
- Getting informed about request fees, appeals, and status checks
What Do Public Records and Meetings in the Arkansas FOIA Include?
Before you start dealing with FOIA requests, you need to know what the accessible public records and meetings are. You can check out the types of content that belong to both groups in the table below:
| Public Records | Public Meetings |
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What Are the Exemptions to the Arkansas FOIA?
Despite being open to cooperation, the Arkansas government doesn’t let citizens access all types of records. Here are some of the exemptions to this law:
- Medical records
- Adoption records
- Grand jury minutes
- Tax income records
- Documents protected by the court
- Arkansas Archeological Survey records
- Arkansas Historic Preservation Program records
- Computer-related records that may affect the security functions—passwords, transactions, etc.
Standard Arkansas FOIA Request Methods
All institutions that provide public records and meetings in Arkansas have their specific FOIA requesting methods. Here are the most common ones:
- Visiting the institution and submitting your request letter in person
- Calling customer support at the phone number provided on the contact page
- Faxing a copy of your request letter to the number provided on the contact page
- Mailing a printed and completed Arkansas FOIA request form to the physical address of the agency
- Emailing your request to the institution’s official email address or to the one that refers to claims only if available
- Filling out an online form—if the agency in question offers it—by disclosing your contact details and specifying the type of records you need
Should you opt for any type of written requests, you can create a template by yourself or find letter samples you can use on the internet.
What Is the Arkansas FOIA Request Response Time?
The institution officials must decide whether to deny or approve your request within 24 hours and inform you about the outcome. If they approve it, they need to prepare the requested records and send them to you within three days.
What Are the Costs of Requesting Public Records from the Arkansas FOIA?
The fees that agencies may charge you depend on the costs of copies and reproduction. They need to provide you with an explanation of the charges. If you require physical copies, you may have to pay faxing or mailing expenses as well.
What Happens if the Chosen Institution Rejects Your Request?
In case of a request rejection, you have the right to file an appeal. The agency must review your case and let you know what they have decided within seven days.
How Can DoNotPay Assist You in Submitting an Arkansas FOIA Request?
If you consider the existing standard methods too challenging, take advantage of DoNotPay's handy FOIA feature!
You can rely on our practical service and let us submit a request letter in your name. Our platform boasts the best record database that allows you to pinpoint all the reports and documents you need.
To complete your FOIA request with our help, log in to DoNotPay using any and proceed as follows:
- Search for the FOIA request feature
- Select the type of agency and enter its name
- Specify what records you are looking for
- Choose some of the available perks, such as fee waivers
Once we receive your request details, we will forward them to the chosen agency. DoNotPay is the easiest way to avoid loads of stress and paperwork and complete the submission procedure in the blink of an eye!
DoNotPay Can Help With All Kinds of FOIA Requests
Need records from another state? Check out the FOIA guides for other U.S. states—Illinois, Michigan, Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts, West Virginia, and many more! Our main goal is to help you deal with Army, Navy, and Air Force FOIA requests with minimum effort and maximum efficiency.
Take advantage of , and submit requests to as many state and federal institutions as you wish, including:
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
- Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)
- Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM)
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOS)
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