ByThe Indiana Freedom of Information Act—Easy Answers
Similar to the general Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) enacted in 1966, the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA) keeps citizens informed about government activities. Its goal is to let people access any disclosable public records for various purposes.
If you are struggling to understand the Indiana Freedom of Information Act laws, we can show you the fastest and most effective way to request any public information using DoNotPay.
Besides teaching you more about the meaning of FOIA laws, our app can provide answers to many important questions, such as:
- How can I check my FOIA request status?
- Can I request public information on myself?
- What are the fees for submitting a FOIA request?
- Where can I find FOIA request forms and templates?
- Is it possible to file an appeal if the agency denies your FOIA request?
Who Can Access Public Records in Indiana?
According to the APRA, anyone can submit a request and access public information in Indiana, including citizens of other states. Here are the groups of entities that can be requesters:
- Individuals
- Corporations
- Partnerships
- Associations
- Governmental entities
Indiana FOIA Exemptions
The Indiana FOIA law mentions several exemptions—the records that remain inaccessible to the public. They include:
- Trade secrets
- Medical records
- Academic research
- Social security numbers
- Autopsy photos, videos, or audio recordings
- Confidential or financial records upon request
- State statute and federal law confidential records
- Grade transcripts and license examination scores
- Confidential records protected by the Supreme Court
How To Submit an Indiana FOIA Request by Yourself
Once you confirm that the information you need isn’t an exemption, you must file a FOIA request to access it. The table below shows the main propositions for demanding public information under the FOIA:
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Common Request Methods | To find out what request options the agency of your interest proposes, check out its website and choose one of the available forms to contact it.
Here are some of the most common ones:
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Details You Must Disclose |
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Details You Don’t Need To Disclose |
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Indiana FOIA Request Response Time
The FOIA response time depends on the option you used for submitting your request. If you submit your petition via phone or in person, the agency needs to contact you back within 24 hours. Should you opt for a mail, email, or facsimile FOIA request, you may wait up to seven calendar days to receive a response from the institution.
What Are the Costs of Requesting Indiana Public Records Under the FOIA?
Most local agencies in Indiana can’t charge you if you only want to search for or examine the available public records.
If you want to make physical copies of the information you found, you will have to pay $0.10 for each black and white copy and $0.25 for each color copy.
If you need information from a CD, tape, microfilm, or similar forms, the institution has the right to determine a reasonable fee. Many institutions offer an enhanced access option that allows you to access all available public records on your computer if you make a contract with the agency.
Submit a Killer Indiana FOIA Request With DoNotPay
Composing your FOIA request may be a true nightmare if you don’t know the rules. You may struggle to keep your letter clear and simple, and you can easily get lost in bureaucracy.
DoNotPay made a comprehensive list of public records laws, allowing you to find and request the necessary public information in a snap. You won’t need to contact the agency by phone, wait for their response, or check multiple websites for instructions.
All you need to do is access DoNotPay from your and follow the steps below:
- Search for the FOIA feature
- Indicate whether you are requesting the records from a state or federal institution
- Provide us with the name of the institution and describe the records you need
- Specify whether you want a fee waiver or expedited processing
After receiving your details, we will generate a request letter and mail it to the institution in question. We can help you access any Army, Navy, Police, or Air Force public records before you know it!
DoNotPay Sends FOIA Requests to Any State or Federal Agency
With , you can access records from any state in the USA, including Ohio, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, Massachusetts, West Virginia, or North Carolina. We will answer all your questions about the FOIA search, officers, or training.
Get the best FOIA guides to requesting the records you need from all state and federal institutions in the USA, including:
- State Department
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
- Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
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