Arizona public records law: how to make a request

Public Records Law, A.R.S. § 39-121 et seq. Rules below are quoted or closely paraphrased from the linked official pages, and each shows the date it was last checked (2026-10-18). Jurisdiction code: AZ.

Build a request letter Official source

Statute and who may ask

• Public records and other matters in the custody of any officer are open to inspection by any person at all times during office hours. (A.R.S. § 39-121)

  Source: A.R.S. § 39-121 (inspection of public records, Arizona Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-18

• "Public body" includes the state, any county, city, town, school district, political subdivision or tax-supported district, any branch, department, board, bureau, commission, council or committee of them, and any public organization or agency supported in whole or in part by, or spending, state or local public money. "Officer" includes any elected or appointed officeholder and the chief administrative officer, head, director, superintendent or chairman of a public body. Each must keep records reasonably necessary to maintain an accurate knowledge of its official activities. (A.R.S. § 39-121.01(A)-(B))

  Source: A.R.S. § 39-121.01 (definitions; copies; index of withheld records; deemed denial, Arizona Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-18

• The Attorney General's handbook says "public record" is not defined in the statute; it points to the definition of "records" in A.R.S. § 41-151.18 (documentary materials, regardless of physical form, made or received by a government agency in pursuance of law or in connection with public business and preserved or appropriate for preservation).

  Source: Arizona Attorney General: Agency Handbook, Chapter 6, Public Records (PDF; the page footers read "Revised 2018", the file is posted on the Attorney General's site) · last verified 2026-10-18

• The Ombudsman's FAQ says e-mails sent or received by a public official or employee about public business are public records, including those on personal or other non-government e-mail accounts.

  Source: Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens' Aide: FAQs on public access laws · last verified 2026-10-18

• Any person may ask to examine or be given copies, printouts or photographs of a public record during regular office hours, or ask the custodian to mail a copy of a record that is not on the public body's website. You do not have to state why you want a record, but you must say whether the use will be commercial; a request for a commercial purpose needs a statement of that purpose. (A.R.S. § 39-121.01(D)(1); Ombudsman FAQ)

  Source: A.R.S. § 39-121.01 (definitions; copies; index of withheld records; deemed denial, Arizona Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-18

• The Ombudsman's guide says the law no longer requires a written request for non-commercial matters. If an oral request is denied, it advises submitting a written request to the head of the public body, drafted narrowly and identifying the documents as precisely as possible.

  Source: Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens' Aide: How to Request Public Records · last verified 2026-10-18

Response deadline

• The statute sets no number of days. The custodian "shall promptly furnish" copies, printouts or photographs, and access is deemed denied if the custodian fails to promptly respond to a request or fails to provide the index of withheld records that the statute requires. (A.R.S. § 39-121.01(D)(1), (E))

  Source: A.R.S. § 39-121.01 (definitions; copies; index of withheld records; deemed denial, Arizona Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-18

• According to the Attorney General's handbook, "prompt" means quick to act or done without delay; the public body has the burden of showing that its response was prompt in light of the circumstances; promptness depends on the accessibility and volume of the material. If records are stored off site or must be redacted, the requester should be told in writing about the delay and the reason; time reasonably needed for redactions is allowed. (Handbook section 6.5.1)

  Source: Arizona Attorney General: Agency Handbook, Chapter 6, Public Records (PDF; the page footers read "Revised 2018", the file is posted on the Attorney General's site) · last verified 2026-10-18

• The Ombudsman's FAQ lists factors in deciding what is prompt (the agency's resources, the nature of the request, whether information must be redacted, and where the records are kept) and says mere inconvenience does not justify delay. It also notes that some public bodies must provide records within a time stated in a different statute.

  Source: Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens' Aide: FAQs on public access laws · last verified 2026-10-18

• The Ombudsman's guide suggests asking how long a response will take if the request form does not say, and checking back after a week to confirm the request was received and is being processed.

  Source: Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens' Aide: How to Request Public Records · last verified 2026-10-18

Fee rules

• Inspecting a record is free. (Ombudsman FAQ; A.R.S. § 39-121)

  Source: Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens' Aide: FAQs on public access laws · last verified 2026-10-18

• For a non-commercial request, the custodian may charge a copying fee that includes a reasonable amount for the cost of time, equipment and personnel used in producing copies, and may require advance payment of copying and postage charges for mailed copies. The statute sets no per-page amount in the sections read. (A.R.S. § 39-121.01(D)(1))

  Source: A.R.S. § 39-121.01 (definitions; copies; index of withheld records; deemed denial, Arizona Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-18

• The handbook and FAQ say a public body may not charge for searching for records, and may not charge for inspection, redaction before inspection, or when you copy records with your own device; they cite Attorney General Opinion I13-012 and Hanania v. City of Tucson.

  Source: Arizona Attorney General: Agency Handbook, Chapter 6, Public Records (PDF; the page footers read "Revised 2018", the file is posted on the Attorney General's site) · last verified 2026-10-18

• For a commercial purpose, the fee may include part of the public body's cost of obtaining the original or copies, a reasonable fee for time, materials, equipment and personnel, and the value of the reproduction on the commercial market as the public body determines. "Commercial purpose" means use for sale or resale, for obtaining names and addresses for solicitation or for sale for solicitation, or for any purpose in which the purchaser can reasonably expect monetary gain; it does not include use of a record as evidence or research for evidence in a judicial or quasi-judicial action. Misstating the purpose can bring liability for three times the fee plus costs and attorney fees. (A.R.S. § 39-121.03(A), (C), (D))

  Source: A.R.S. § 39-121.03 (commercial purpose; statement of purpose; damages, Arizona Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-18

• Certified copies and searches must be free when the records are for a claim for a pension, allowance, compensation, insurance or other benefit to be presented to the United States. Victims of certain crimes (and their attorneys or, in some cases, family) may get one copy of the police report, audio and video recordings free. (A.R.S. §§ 39-122, 39-127)

  Source: A.R.S. § 39-122 (free searches and copies for claims against the United States, Arizona Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-18

Appeal path and remedies

• A person denied access may appeal through a special action in the superior court against the officer or public body. (A.R.S. § 39-121.02(A))

  Source: A.R.S. § 39-121.02 (action on denial of access; costs and attorney fees; damages, Arizona Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-18

• The court may award reasonable attorney fees and legal costs if the person seeking the records has substantially prevailed, and a person wrongfully denied access has a cause of action for damages resulting from the denial. (A.R.S. § 39-121.02(B)-(C))

  Source: A.R.S. § 39-121.02 (action on denial of access; costs and attorney fees; damages, Arizona Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-18

• The Ombudsman-Citizens' Aide says it receives complaints about public records, including against local government agencies for public records and open meeting matters, and that it does not locate or request records for you. Its guide says the Ombudsman is authorized to investigate complaints relating to public access laws, request testimony or evidence, issue subpoenas, conduct hearings, make recommendations and report misconduct.

  Source: Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens' Aide: FAQs on public access laws · last verified 2026-10-18

• Ombudsman-Citizens' Aide contact as listed: email [email protected], telephone (602) 277-7292, 2020 N. Central Ave., Suite 570, Phoenix, AZ 85004. The page says it is an independent agency of the legislative branch and its services are free.

  Source: Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens' Aide: Contact Information · last verified 2026-10-18

Request-letter wording notes

• Send the request to the officer or public body that has custody of the records; check the agency's website for a request form or contact the public body first. (Ombudsman guide, steps 2 and 4)

  Source: Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens' Aide: How to Request Public Records · last verified 2026-10-18

• Describe specific documents, not general information, as narrowly and precisely as you can. Say whether the use is commercial or non-commercial; you need not give any other reason. (Ombudsman guide; A.R.S. § 39-121.01(D)(1))

  Source: Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens' Aide: How to Request Public Records · last verified 2026-10-18

• Ask for a written statement of the legal basis for any withholding; the Ombudsman FAQ says the public body must give one. For an agency covered by A.R.S. § 39-121.01(D)(2), you may also ask for an index of withheld records or categories and the reasons.

  Source: Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens' Aide: FAQs on public access laws · last verified 2026-10-18

• Ask that confidential parts be redacted and the rest released; the Attorney General's handbook says a custodian must have specific reasons to withhold a whole record rather than redact. (Handbook section 6.5.3)

  Source: Arizona Attorney General: Agency Handbook, Chapter 6, Public Records (PDF; the page footers read "Revised 2018", the file is posted on the Attorney General's site) · last verified 2026-10-18

• Ask how long the response is expected to take, and follow up in writing if you hear nothing; failure to respond promptly is a deemed denial. (A.R.S. § 39-121.01(E))

  Source: A.R.S. § 39-121.01 (definitions; copies; index of withheld records; deemed denial, Arizona Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-18

Not yet researched or not verified

• The exemptions: the handbook says over 300 Arizona statutes address confidentiality (its Appendix 6.1 and 6.2 lists were not summarized), plus privacy, best-interest-of-the-state and privilege exceptions
• Protection of home addresses and photographs of certain officials and others (A.R.S. §§ 39-123 and 39-124) and the rest of Title 39, chapter 1, article 2 not listed here
• Case law after the handbook's 2018 revision; the handbook file on the Attorney General's site is marked "Revised 2018" in its page footers
• Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records guidance on locating custodians for specific record types, and individual agencies' own request forms, fee schedules and contacts
• Land records (county recorders), vital records and court records

This is legal information from public sources, not legal advice. Laws and agency practices change; read the linked official source and consult a lawyer about your situation. Local agencies may have their own forms and contacts.