<section number="63G-2-201"><effdate>7/1/2026</effdate><histories></histories><catchline>Provisions relating to records -- Public records -- Private, controlled, protected, and other restricted records -- Disclosure and nondisclosure of records -- Certified copy of record -- Limits on obligation to respond to record request.</catchline><subsection number="63G-2-201(1)"><subsection number="63G-2-201(1)(a)">Except as provided in Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="63G-2-201(1)(b)" start="0">(1)(b)</xref>, a person has the right to inspect a public record free of charge, and the right to take a copy of a public record during normal working hours, subject to Sections <xref depth="3" refnumber="63G-2-203" start="0">63G-2-203</xref> and <xref depth="3" refnumber="63G-2-204" start="0">63G-2-204</xref>.</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(1)(b)">A right under Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="63G-2-201(1)(a)" start="0">(1)(a)</xref> does not apply with respect to a record:<subsection number="63G-2-201(1)(b)(i)">a copy of which the governmental entity has already provided to the person;</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(1)(b)(ii)">that is the subject of a records request that the governmental entity is not required to fill under Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="63G-2-201(7)(a)(v)" start="0">(7)(a)(v)</xref>; or</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(1)(b)(iii)"><subsection number="63G-2-201(1)(b)(iii)(A)">that is accessible only by a computer or other electronic device owned or controlled by the governmental entity;</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(1)(b)(iii)(B)">that is part of an electronic file that also contains a record that is private, controlled, or protected; and</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(1)(b)(iii)(C)">that the governmental entity cannot readily segregate from the part of the electronic file that contains a private, controlled, or protected record.</subsection></subsection></subsection></subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(2)">A record is public unless otherwise expressly provided by statute.</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(3)">The following records are not public:<subsection number="63G-2-201(3)(a)">a record that is private, controlled, or protected under Sections <xref depth="3" refnumber="63G-2-302" start="0">63G-2-302</xref>, <xref depth="3" refnumber="63A-19-408">63A-19-408</xref>, <xref depth="3" refnumber="63G-2-304" start="0">63G-2-304</xref>, and <xref depth="3" refnumber="63G-2-305" start="0">63G-2-305</xref>; and</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(3)(b)">a record to which access is restricted in accordance with court rule, another state statute, federal statute, or federal regulation, including records for which access is governed or restricted as a condition of participation in a state or federal program or for receiving state or federal funds.</subsection></subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(4)">Only a record specified in Section <xref depth="3" refnumber="63G-2-302" start="0">63G-2-302</xref>, <xref depth="3" refnumber="63A-19-408">63A-19-408</xref>, <xref depth="3" refnumber="63G-2-304" start="0">63G-2-304</xref>, or <xref depth="3" refnumber="63G-2-305" start="0">63G-2-305</xref> may be classified private, controlled, or protected.</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(5)"><subsection number="63G-2-201(5)(a)">A governmental entity may not disclose a record that is private, controlled, or protected to any person except as provided in Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="63G-2-201(5)(b)" start="0">(5)(b)</xref>, Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="63G-2-201(5)(c)" start="0">(5)(c)</xref>, Section <xref depth="3" refnumber="63G-2-202" start="0">63G-2-202</xref>, <xref depth="3" refnumber="63G-2-206" start="0">63G-2-206</xref>, or <xref depth="3" refnumber="63A-19-408">63A-19-408</xref>.</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(5)(b)">A governmental entity may disclose a record that is private under Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="63G-2-302(2)" start="0">63G-2-302(2)</xref> or protected under Section <xref depth="3" refnumber="63G-2-305" start="0">63G-2-305</xref> to persons other than those specified in Section <xref depth="3" refnumber="63G-2-202" start="0">63G-2-202</xref> or <xref depth="3" refnumber="63G-2-206" start="0">63G-2-206</xref> if the head of a governmental entity, or a designee, determines that:<subsection number="63G-2-201(5)(b)(i)">there is no interest in restricting access to the record; or</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(5)(b)(ii)">the interests favoring access are greater than or equal to the interest favoring restriction of access.</subsection></subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(5)(c)">In addition to the disclosure under Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="63G-2-201(5)(b)" start="0">(5)(b)</xref>, a governmental entity may disclose a record that is protected under Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="63G-2-305(51)" start="0">63G-2-305(51)</xref> if:<subsection number="63G-2-201(5)(c)(i)">the head of the governmental entity, or a designee, determines that the disclosure:<subsection number="63G-2-201(5)(c)(i)(A)">is mutually beneficial to:<subsection number="63G-2-201(5)(c)(i)(A)(I)">the subject of the record;</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(5)(c)(i)(A)(II)">the governmental entity; and</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(5)(c)(i)(A)(III)">the public; and</subsection></subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(5)(c)(i)(B)">serves a public purpose related to:<subsection number="63G-2-201(5)(c)(i)(B)(I)">public safety; or</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(5)(c)(i)(B)(II)">consumer protection; and</subsection></subsection></subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(5)(c)(ii)">the person who receives the record from the governmental entity agrees not to use or allow the use of the record for advertising or solicitation purposes.</subsection></subsection></subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(6)">A governmental entity shall provide a person with a certified copy of a record if:<subsection number="63G-2-201(6)(a)">the person requesting the record has a right to inspect it;</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(6)(b)">the person identifies the record with reasonable specificity; and</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(6)(c)">the person pays the lawful fees.</subsection></subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(7)"><subsection number="63G-2-201(7)(a)">In response to a request, a governmental entity is not required to:<subsection number="63G-2-201(7)(a)(i)">create a record;</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(7)(a)(ii)">compile, format, manipulate, package, summarize, or tailor information;</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(7)(a)(iii)">provide a record in a particular format, medium, or program not currently maintained by the governmental entity;</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(7)(a)(iv)">fulfill a person's records request if the request unreasonably duplicates prior records requests from that person;</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(7)(a)(v)">fill a person's records request if:<subsection number="63G-2-201(7)(a)(v)(A)">the record requested is:<subsection number="63G-2-201(7)(a)(v)(A)(I)">publicly accessible online; or</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(7)(a)(v)(A)(II)">included in a public publication or product produced by the governmental entity receiving the request; and</subsection></subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(7)(a)(v)(B)">the governmental entity:<subsection number="63G-2-201(7)(a)(v)(B)(I)">specifies to the person requesting the record where the record is accessible online; or</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(7)(a)(v)(B)(II)">provides the person requesting the record with the public publication or product and specifies where the record can be found in the public publication or product; or</subsection></subsection></subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(7)(a)(vi)">fulfill a person's records request if:<subsection number="63G-2-201(7)(a)(vi)(A)">the person has been determined under Section <xref depth="3" refnumber="63G-2-209" start="0">63G-2-209</xref> to be a vexatious requester;</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(7)(a)(vi)(B)">the order of the director of the Government Records Office determining the person to be a vexatious requester provides that the governmental entity is not required to fulfill a request from the person for a period of time; and</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(7)(a)(vi)(C)">the period of time described in Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="63G-2-201(7)(a)(vi)(B)" start="0">(7)(a)(vi)(B)</xref> has not expired.</subsection></subsection></subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(7)(b)">A governmental entity shall conduct a reasonable search for a requested record.</subsection></subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(8)"><subsection number="63G-2-201(8)(a)">Although not required to do so, a governmental entity may, upon request from the person who submitted the records request, compile, format, manipulate, package, summarize, or tailor information or provide a record in a format, medium, or program not currently maintained by the governmental entity.</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(8)(b)">In determining whether to fulfill a request described in Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="63G-2-201(8)(a)" start="0">(8)(a)</xref>, a governmental entity may consider whether the governmental entity is able to fulfill the request without unreasonably interfering with the governmental entity's duties and responsibilities.</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(8)(c)">A governmental entity may require a person who makes a request under Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="63G-2-201(8)(a)" start="0">(8)(a)</xref> to pay the governmental entity, in accordance with Section <xref depth="3" refnumber="63G-2-203" start="0">63G-2-203</xref>, for providing the information or record as requested.</subsection></subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(9)"><subsection number="63G-2-201(9)(a)">Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, and subject to Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="63G-2-201(9)(b)" start="0">(9)(b)</xref>, a governmental entity is not required to respond to, or provide a record in response to, a record request if the request is submitted by or in behalf of an individual who is on parole or confined in a jail or other correctional facility following the individual's conviction.</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(9)(b)">Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="63G-2-201(9)(a)" start="0">(9)(a)</xref> does not apply to:<subsection number="63G-2-201(9)(b)(i)">the first five record requests submitted to the governmental entity by or in behalf of an individual described in Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="63G-2-201(9)(a)" start="0">(9)(a)</xref> during any calendar year requesting only a record that contains a specific reference to the individual; or</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(9)(b)(ii)">a record request that is submitted by an attorney of an individual described in Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="63G-2-201(9)(a)" start="0">(9)(a)</xref>.</subsection></subsection></subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(10)"><subsection number="63G-2-201(10)(a)">A governmental entity may allow a person requesting more than 50 pages of records to copy the records if:<subsection number="63G-2-201(10)(a)(i)">the records are contained in files that do not contain records that are exempt from disclosure, or the records may be segregated to remove private, protected, or controlled information from disclosure; and</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(10)(a)(ii)">the governmental entity provides reasonable safeguards to protect the public from the potential for loss of a public record.</subsection></subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(10)(b)">If the requirements of Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="63G-2-201(10)(a)" start="0">(10)(a)</xref> are met, the governmental entity may:<subsection number="63G-2-201(10)(b)(i)">provide the requester with the facilities for copying the requested records and require that the requester make the copies; or</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(10)(b)(ii)">allow the requester to provide the requester's own copying facilities and personnel to make the copies at the governmental entity's offices and waive the fees for copying the records.</subsection></subsection></subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(11)"><subsection number="63G-2-201(11)(a)">A governmental entity that owns an intellectual property right and that offers the intellectual property right for sale or license may control by ordinance or policy the duplication and distribution of the material based on terms the governmental entity considers to be in the public interest.</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(11)(b)">Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit or impair the rights or protections granted to the governmental entity under federal copyright or patent law as a result of its ownership of the intellectual property right.</subsection></subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(12)">A governmental entity may not use the physical form, electronic or otherwise, in which a record is stored to deny, or unreasonably hinder the rights of a person to inspect and receive a copy of a record under this chapter.</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(13)">Subject to the requirements of Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="63G-2-201(7)" start="0">(7)</xref>, a governmental entity shall provide access to an electronic copy of a record in lieu of providing access to its paper equivalent if:<subsection number="63G-2-201(13)(a)">the person making the request requests or states a preference for an electronic copy;</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(13)(b)">the governmental entity currently maintains the record in an electronic format that is reproducible and may be provided without reformatting or conversion; and</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(13)(c)">the electronic copy of the record:<subsection number="63G-2-201(13)(c)(i)">does not disclose other records that are exempt from disclosure; or</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(13)(c)(ii)">may be segregated to protect private, protected, or controlled information from disclosure without the undue expenditure of public resources or funds.</subsection></subsection></subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(14)">In determining whether a record is properly classified as private under Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="63G-2-302(2)(d)" start="0">63G-2-302(2)(d)</xref>, the governmental entity, the director of the Government Records Office, local appeals board, or court shall consider and weigh:<subsection number="63G-2-201(14)(a)">any personal privacy interests, including those in images, that would be affected by disclosure of the records in question; and</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(14)(b)">any public interests served by disclosure.</subsection></subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(15)">Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Department of Criminal Justice created in Section <xref depth="3" refnumber="75E-2-102">75E-2-102</xref>:<subsection number="63G-2-201(15)(a)">is not required to provide a record in response to a record request that requests records received by the Department of Criminal Justice under Section <xref depth="3" refnumber="75E-2-210">75E-2-210</xref>; and</subsection><subsection number="63G-2-201(15)(b)">shall inform the person making a record request for a record described in Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="63G-2-201(15)(a)">(15)(a)</xref> of the governmental entity from which the Department of Criminal Justice received the record.</subsection></subsection></section>