Before you file
Define the records, date range, format and public body before drafting.
Plain-language help
Alabama public-records guides
Practical newsroom guidance for making focused, professional requests. General information only, not legal advice.
Narrowing a request
Reduce delay and cost without giving up the information that matters.
Fees and estimates
Ask for an itemized estimate and decide whether inspection is more practical.
When an office says no
Document the response, ask for the legal basis and preserve the full correspondence.
Ready to draft?
The request builder uses focused templates while keeping you in control of every word.
Open request builder