Open Records Information | Austin City Attorney's Office | AustinTexas.gov
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The Austin City Attorney's Office provides information about public records access under the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552), which presumes all government information is available to the public unless specific legal exceptions apply. Citizens may submit written requests for public records via U.S. mail, email (public.information@austintexas.gov), or hand delivery at designated city locations, with reproduction costs governed by state attorney general rules. The city maintains an Open Data Portal to enhance government transparency and facilitate public access to information.
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Austin City Attorney's Office Programs Open Records Information Open Records Information Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, gives you the right to access government records; and an officer for public information and the officer's agent may not ask why you want them. All government information is presumed to be available to the public. Certain exceptions may apply to the disclosure of the information. Governmental bodies shall promptly release requested information that is not confidential by law, either constitutional, statutory, or by judicial decision, or information for which an exception to disclosure has not been sought. The Texas Public Information Act (Texas Open Records Act), Chapter 552, Texas Government Code, establishes requirements for governmental bodies to respond to written requests for access and/or reproductions of public information. Charges for reproductions are governed by the State of Texas Attorney General's Office rules on charges. Public Information Requests If you cannot locate the information or records you need online, Section 552.234 of the Texas Public Information Act provides that a person may make a written request for information by delivering the request by U.S. mail, electronic mail, hand delivery, or any appropriate method approved by the governmental body. All government information is presumed to be available to the public, although certain exceptions may apply. Please note, pursuant to section 552.301(c) of the Government Code, the City of Austin has designated public.information@austintexas.gov as the email address for public information requests sent by electronic mail. A request sent by email will not be considered received unless sent to the designated email address. • United States mail: P.O. Box 689001, Austin, Texas, 78768 • Electronic mail: public.information@austintexas.gov • Hand delivery: City Hall, 4th Floor, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 • Hand delivery: Austin Police Department Headquarters, 715 E. 8th Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Request Public Records Online Please note that records are not automatically posted online for many reasons, including lack of widespread interest, large size of records, or the fact that records contain confidential information. Public Information Request Process Complaints and Important Contact Information Cost of Public Information Clarification Needed For Your Request What About Confidential Information? Rights of Requestors Responsibilities of Governmental Bodies Other Helpful Webpages for Obtaining Public Information FAQ Want To Leave Us Some Feedback? Data Portal The data portal is your open government resource. The data portal's benefits include: transparency, user-friendly data presentation and opportunities for community app development. Go to the Open Data Portal
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