Your Public Information Request
Tell us a little bit about your request. This form will be submitted to us and a member of our team will be in touch shortly to connect and chat about the information you’re looking for. Then, you can submit your request to the relevant state or local agency.
In order to best assist you, Montana Transparency Project may share your information request with mission aligned organizations, including the Montana Freedom of Information Hotline. We will never share your name or organization without your permission.
What to expect from MTP
We will respond to your request for assistance within one week to answer the following questions:
What should my request include? We will help you refine your request and prepare your request for submission. We may need to follow-up by email for more information before being able to provide our best advice.
Who should I submit my request to? We will help you find the correct state or local agency and the proper public information officer or administrator for your request.
Is my request for public information? We will let you know if your request is for information that public agencies likely cannot produce. This includes information not held by the government (such as personal emails), information that may jeopardize public safety if released, and information where personal privacy outweighs the Right to Know.
Will my request cost money to be fulfilled? Public agencies can charge the “actual cost” of fulfilling your request. If your request is for a readily identifiable document, public agencies won’t charge you. Public agencies might charge you for more complicated requests—especially those requiring legal review.
When will my request be fulfilled? Simple requests can be fulfilled in as little as five business days, and more complicated requests can take up to six months. We will help you determine what deadline your request will fall into, and we can help narrow your request if you are looking for a quicker response. You can learn more about information request timelines here.
Should I send a follow up email? We will provide you guidance on sending follow-up emails, which can sometimes be helpful if you haven’t heard from the agency, but can be unhelpful if you know the agency is working on your request and the deadline has not passed.
What else do I need to know? If you have other concerns about your request, let us know and we will do our best to help.
