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This is an educational organizational tool, not legal advice. It helps you ask clear questions, keep a timeline, and explain public records responsibly.
CPRA Basics
Ask for existing writings about public business: emails, reports, contracts, calendars, spreadsheets, attachments, texts, recordings, policies, and data exports.
Focused requests work better
Use names, titles, date ranges, record types, systems, projects, vendors, and keywords.
What to Ask For
Emails & attachmentsTexts/messagesReportsContractsInvoicesCalendarsComplaint logsData exports- What public issue am I researching?
- Which entity has the records?
- What dates matter?
- Who was involved?
- What search terms would appear?
Interactive CPRA Request Builder
Complete the required fields, then select Generate Request.
Systems & Devices
Ask for the agency’s Enterprise System Catalog when you need to identify likely record locations.
“Please provide the agency’s current Enterprise System Catalog and identify the system(s), if any, used to store or manage records relevant to this request.”
Personal devices
Responsive public-business writings may be held on personal accounts or devices. Ask for a reasonable search where applicable.
Local Request Tracker
Add an entry once you send a request. Entries save locally; download or copy the log into your own records.
| Entity | Sent | Request | Status | Next action |
|---|
FAQ
Must records arrive in 10 days?
Generally, the agency must make a determination within 10 days and provide an estimated production date. Production can take longer.
What if the request is too broad?
Narrow by dates, custodians, systems, record categories, and keywords.
Stay connected
Subscribe to 209 Media for reporting, tools, investigations, and tracker updates. Open the Master Tracker for the broader 209Audit index.