Is there an official Florida public records request form?

No. Chapter 119 does not require a form, and an agency may not make you use its own form. A short letter or email that names the records is enough.

Does my public records request have to be in writing?

No. You may ask in person, by phone, or in writing. A written request still helps, because it shows what you asked for and when.

Do I have to give my name or say why I want the records?

No. An agency may not make you give your name or a reason, unless a law requires it for that record.

What is a cost cap line, and why use one?

It asks the agency to contact you before it does work that will cost more than a set amount. It helps you avoid a surprise bill.

Can I ask to look at the records instead of buying copies?

Yes. You have a right to inspect records, and looking is free in most cases. You pay copy fees only for the copies you want.

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Florida Public Records Request Form: A Free Letter Template

Written by Adam Bair.Published June 1, 2026Updated October 20, 2026

TL;DR: Florida has no required public records request form. A short letter that names the records you want is enough. Use the free template below, keep a copy, and send it to the agency's records custodian.

A printed public records request letter on a desk with a pen resting alongside under a warm desk lamp. — Florida public records requests do not need a special form. A clear letter that names the records is enough.

This guide gives you a letter you can fill in and send. It also explains why each part is there, what to leave out, and what to do after you send it.

Is there an official public records request form in Florida?

No. Chapter 119, the Public Records Act, does not let an agency require a written request. Dade Aviation Consultants v. Knight Ridder, Inc., 800 So. 2d 302 (Fla. 3d DCA 2001).

You may ask in person, by phone, or in writing (AGO 80-57). An agency also may not make you fill out its own form first. Chandler v. City of Greenacres, 140 So. 3d 1080 (Fla. 4th DCA 2014).

Many government offices make a form or web portal available, and you may use one if you like. But your own letter works just as well. An AGO is a written opinion from the Florida Attorney General.

Why send a written request at all?

A written request does three jobs. It tells the custodian the specific records you want and records the date you asked. It also gives you proof if the agency stalls.

Under section 119.07(1)(a), Florida Statutes, any person may inspect and copy public records. The right also comes from Article I, Section 24, of the Florida Constitution. You do not need a lawyer to use it.

Free public records request template

Copy the sample letter below. Fill in each part in brackets, and then take out the brackets before you send it.

[YOUR NAME, or leave blank] [EMAIL OR ADDRESS FOR DELIVERY] [DATE] Records Custodian [AGENCY NAME] [AGENCY MAILING ADDRESS OR EMAIL] Re: Public records request under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes Dear Records Custodian: Pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, and Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution, I ask to inspect or get copies of these public records: [DESCRIBE THE RECORDS: the type of record, the subject, the date range, and the office or staff who would have them. Example: "Emails sent or received by the Director of [Department] from January 1 to March 31, 2026, about [topic]."] Please send the records in [the electronic form you keep them in / paper]. If the cost will be more than $[AMOUNT], please send me an estimate first. If you believe any part of a record is exempt, please tell me which statute applies. Please black out only that part and send me the rest. Please notify me that you received this request, and send any information about cost to the email above. Thank you, [YOUR NAME, or leave blank]

What does each part of the sample public records request do?

Who do I send the letter to?

Send it to the records custodian. That is the official who runs the office that keeps the records, or a stand-in, under section 119.011(5).

You do not need to know the custodian's name, since the title is enough. Many agencies post the custodian's contact on their web site. See who the records custodian is.

How do I describe the records I want?

Identify the type of record or document, the topic, the date range, and the office that would have it. A request must be clear enough for the custodian to act on. Doe v. DeSantis, 49 Fla. L. Weekly D1260a (Fla. 1st DCA 2024).

You do not have to name one book or one file. A person who asks for all of a city's money records does not have to say which ones. State ex rel. Davidson v. Couch, 156 So. 297 (Fla. 1934).

Ask for records, not answers. An agency does not have to dig through its files to answer your questions. Bivens v. Tony, 368 So. 3d 16 (Fla. 4th DCA 2023).

Side-by-side comparison showing a vague request crossed out on the left versus a specific request with checkmark on the right. — A clear request is easier to fill. A vague one invites delay.

Can I ask for a certain format?

Yes, under section 119.01(2)(f). If an agency keeps a record in the form you want, it must copy it that way. For more, see public records request format.

Why add a cost cap line?

Copies cost up to 15 cents a page, under section 119.07(4)(a)1. A big job that takes extensive staff time or computer use can add a special service charge, too.

An agency may ask you to pay before it makes copies, under section 119.07(4). So a cost cap line asks for an estimate first, before you owe anything.

Why ask about exemptions?

Say an agency claims part of a record is exempt. It must black out only that part and give you the rest, under section 119.07(1)(d).

It must also name the statute it relies on, under section 119.07(1)(e). If you ask, it must put its reasons in writing, under section 119.07(1)(f).

How fast must the agency respond?

The law sets no fixed number of days. But the custodian must acknowledge your request promptly and respond in good faith, under section 119.07(1)(c).

An agency may take a fair time to find the records and black out the closed parts. But a rule that builds in a set delay breaks the law. Tribune Co. v. Cannella, 458 So. 2d 1075 (Fla. 1984).

For more, see how long a Florida agency has to respond.

What should I leave out of my request?

Leave out your reason. Your reason for asking does not matter. Curry v. State, 811 So. 2d 736 (Fla. 4th DCA 2002).

You can also leave out your name, address, and phone number. An agency may not demand them unless a law requires it (AGOs 92-38 and 91-76).

If you want copies sent to you, give an email that reads like it belongs to a real person. For more, see giving your name.

How do I send my public records request?

You can send it by email, by mail, through a portal, or by hand. Email is fast. Certified mail gives you proof of delivery.

If you hand it in, ask for a copy with a date stamp. Either way, keep a copy of what you sent and the date you sent it.

A hand dropping a white envelope with a certified mail card into a blue mailbox. — Certified mail gives you proof of delivery. Email is faster, so save your sent copy.

What do I do after I send the request?

Write down the date, the agency, and what you asked for. If you get no response, send a short follow up that names the date of your first request.

If the agency says no, it must name the exemption and cite the statute. The Attorney General also runs a free mediation program for open government disputes, under section 16.60. See what to do if the agency says no and how to request public records in Florida.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an official Florida public records request form?: No. Chapter 119 does not require a form, and an agency may not make you use its own form. A short letter or email that names the records is enough.
Does my public records request have to be in writing?: No. You may ask in person, by phone, or in writing. A written request still helps, because it shows what you asked for and when.
Do I have to give my name or say why I want the records?: No. An agency may not make you give your name or a reason, unless a law requires it for that record.
What is a cost cap line, and why use one?: It asks the agency to contact you before it does work that will cost more than a set amount. It helps you avoid a surprise bill.
Can I ask to look at the records instead of buying copies?: Yes. You have a right to inspect records, and looking is free in most cases. You pay copy fees only for the copies you want.

Not legal advice. Educational and informational content only. Reading this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice on a specific matter, consult a licensed Florida attorney.