{"jurisdiction":"us/ca","country":"us","scope":"subnational","law_name":"California Public Records Act","law_citation":"Cal. Gov. Code §§ 7920.000-7931.000","law_url":"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayexpandedbranch.xhtml?tocCode=GOV&division=10.&title=1.&part=&chapter=&article=","effective_date":"1968-01-01","initial_response_days":10,"extension_days":14,"response_deadline_notes":"Calendar days. Agency must determine within 10 days of receipt whether the request seeks disclosable records and notify the requester (Gov. Code § 7922.535(a)). May extend by up to 14 additional days by written notice from the head of the agency or a designee, in 'unusual circumstances': searching field facilities or separate establishments, collecting and examining a voluminous amount of distinct records, consultation with another agency having a substantial interest, compiling data or writing programming language to produce the record, inability to access electronic servers due to a cyberattack, or searching during a declared state of emergency affecting agency operations (Gov. Code § 7922.535(b)-(c)). The 10-day clock is a deadline to determine and notify, not to produce; records themselves are produced promptly thereafter. Office closures do not toll the period, which runs in calendar days; only a last day falling on a holiday rolls forward (Gov. Code §§ 6800, 6700).","residency_notes":"Any person may request records. No residency, citizenship, or stated purpose required. Agencies cannot require identification unless needed for access (e.g., viewing records at agency office).","submission_notes":"Most agencies accept email requests. Some larger agencies have online portals (e.g., NextRequest). Requests should be directed to the agency's custodian of records or CPRA coordinator.","fee_notes":"California law specifically prohibits charging for staff time to search, retrieve, or review records. Only direct costs of duplication may be charged. If records exist electronically and requester asks for electronic copies, agency generally cannot charge.","fee_waiver_notes":"Unlike federal FOIA, CPRA doesn't have formal fee waiver categories. However, since only duplication costs can be charged (no search/review fees), total fees are typically minimal. Many agencies waive small fees as a matter of policy.","exemption_notes":"California exemptions are narrower than federal FOIA. The 'catch-all' exemption (§7922.000) requires agencies to show the public interest in nondisclosure 'clearly outweighs' disclosure - a high bar. Agencies must justify each withholding specifically.","appeal_notes":"California does NOT require exhaustion of administrative remedies - you can go directly to court after a denial without first appealing to the agency. This is more favorable than federal FOIA. Courts review denials de novo (fresh review) and agencies bear the burden of justifying withholdings.","private_right_of_action":true,"attorney_fees_available":true,"primary_source_url":"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?division=7.&chapter=3.5.&lawCode=GOV","search_first_n_hours_free":0,"search_fee_notes":"Search fees NOT ALLOWED - agencies cannot charge for time spent searching","copy_per_page_rate":0.1,"copy_first_n_pages_free":0,"fee_currency":"USD","retention_law_name":"State Records Management Act","retention_law_citation":"Gov. Code 12270-12279","retention_law_url":"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&division=3.&title=2.&part=&chapter=7.&article=2.","retention_authority":"California Secretary of State, State Archives","retention_authority_url":"https://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/records-management-and-appraisal","retention_catalog_url":"https://gencat.sos.ca.gov/webcat/systems/cal/resource/export/html/browse-by/agency-index.html","retention_notes":"The CalRIM unit reviews retention schedules and establishes guidelines. All state agencies must designate a Records Management Coordinator. The State Records Appraisal Program (SRAP) appraises records for historical value.","local_retention_program":"Local Government Records Program (LoCal)","local_retention_url":"https://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/records-management-and-appraisal/local-gov-program","transparency_score":90,"submission_methods":["email","mail","portal","fax","in_person"],"required_elements":[{"note":"Reasonably describe identifiable records - must be specific enough for agency to locate","field":"description"},{"note":"Provide way for agency to respond (email, address, or phone)","field":"contact_info"}],"optional_elements":[{"note":"Request electronic format if preferred - agency must provide in requested format if readily reproducible","field":"preferred_format"},{"note":"Explain if requesting waiver of fees","field":"fee_waiver_request"},{"note":"Explain urgent need if seeking faster response","field":"expedited_request"}],"fee_structure":{"note":"CPRA is more favorable than federal FOIA - no search or review fees allowed","duplication":{"note":"Agencies may only charge direct costs of duplication, not search or review time","paper":"Direct cost of duplication (typically $0.10-0.25/page)","electronic":"Generally no charge if records exist electronically and can be produced without significant effort"},"review_fees":"NOT ALLOWED - agencies cannot charge for time spent reviewing records for exemptions","search_fees":"NOT ALLOWED - agencies cannot charge for time spent searching for or reviewing records","typical_rates":{"cd_dvd":5.0,"copy_per_page":0.1,"certified_copy":1.0},"programming_fees":"May charge for cost of producing electronic records that require data extraction or programming"},"fee_waivers":[{"name":"Public Interest Waiver","note":"Discretionary - no automatic right to waiver, but many agencies grant for journalists and researchers","waives":["duplication"],"category":"public_interest","description":"Agencies may waive fees when disclosure is in the public interest"},{"name":"News Media","note":"Not required by statute but commonly granted as a matter of policy","waives":["duplication"],"category":"news_media","description":"Many agencies waive or reduce fees for journalists and news organizations"},{"name":"Nonprofit Organizations","note":"Discretionary - varies by agency","waives":["duplication"],"category":"nonprofit","description":"Some agencies waive fees for nonprofits serving the public interest"},{"name":"Inability to Pay","note":"Discretionary - no statutory requirement but some agencies have policies","waives":["duplication"],"category":"indigency","description":"Some agencies waive fees for requesters who demonstrate financial hardship"}],"exemptions":[{"code":"preliminary_drafts","name":"Preliminary Drafts & Notes (§ 7927.500)","note":"Once a decision is made, underlying documents may become disclosable","description":"Preliminary drafts, notes, or interagency/intra-agency memoranda not retained in the ordinary course of business","discretionary":true},{"code":"law_enforcement","name":"Law Enforcement Records (§ 7923.600)","note":"Arrest records, crime reports, and calls for service are generally public","description":"Records of investigations, intelligence information, and security procedures","discretionary":true,"subcategories":["Active investigation records","Intelligence information","Security procedures","Informant identities"]},{"code":"personnel","name":"Personnel Records (§ 7927.700)","exceptions":["Salaries and job classifications are public","Names and job titles of public employees generally public"],"description":"Personnel, medical, or similar files where disclosure would constitute unwarranted invasion of privacy","discretionary":true},{"code":"litigation","name":"Litigation Files (§ 7927.200)","description":"Records pertaining to pending litigation to which the agency is a party until litigation is adjudicated or settled","discretionary":true},{"code":"attorney_client","name":"Attorney-Client Privilege (§ 7927.705)","description":"Records exempt by express provisions of law, including attorney-client privileged communications","discretionary":false},{"code":"trade_secrets","name":"Trade Secrets (§ 7927.705, §7924.510)","note":"Utility records have special protections under §7924.510","description":"Trade secrets and proprietary information submitted to government","discretionary":false},{"code":"deliberative_process","name":"Deliberative Process (§ 7922.000)","note":"Agency must demonstrate specific harm - cannot use for blanket withholding","description":"Catch-all: records may be withheld if public interest in nondisclosure clearly outweighs public interest in disclosure","discretionary":true},{"code":"public_safety","name":"Critical Infrastructure (§ 7929.200)","description":"Records relating to critical infrastructure, security plans, emergency response","discretionary":true},{"code":"real_estate","name":"Real Estate Appraisals (§ 7928.705)","description":"Real estate appraisals and engineering feasibility estimates for property acquisition until all acquisitions completed","discretionary":true},{"code":"test_questions","name":"Test Questions (§ 7929.605)","description":"Test questions, scoring keys, and other examination data used for licensing or employment","discretionary":false}],"appeal_process":[{"step":1,"action":"Superior Court Petition","statute":"Cal. Gov. Code § 7923.000","description":"File a petition for writ of mandate in superior court under Cal. Gov. Code § 7923.000. The court will review the agency's decision de novo. You may recover attorney fees and costs if you prevail.","attorney_fees":true,"court_filing_notes":"File in the superior court for the county where the records are located or where the agency has its principal office."}],"penalties":{"note":"Mandatory attorney fee award for prevailing requesters is a strong enforcement mechanism","attorney_fees":"Court SHALL award attorney fees and costs to requester who prevails in litigation (Gov. Code § 7923.115)","civil_penalty":null,"criminal_penalty":false},"request_templates":[{"url":"https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/handbook/foia-sample-request-letter/","name":"First Amendment Coalition Sample Letter","type":"sample_letter","notes":"California-specific template with proper statutory citations","provider":"First Amendment Coalition","recommended":true},{"url":"https://www.rcfp.org/open-government-guide/california/","name":"RCFP Open Government Guide - California","type":"guide","notes":"Detailed guidance on California-specific requirements","provider":"Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press"},{"url":"https://www.muckrock.com/place/united-states-of-america/california/","name":"MuckRock California Guide","type":"guide","notes":"Agency-specific tips, response times, and example requests for California agencies","provider":"MuckRock"},{"url":"https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/pra-guidelines.pdf","name":"California AG Public Records Guidelines","type":"official_guide","notes":"Official state guidance on Public Records Act","provider":"California Attorney General"},{"name":"California Public Records Act Request","type":"standard","notes":"California Public Records Act request emphasizing the 10-day deadline and prohibition on search/review fees.","language":"en","variables":["today_date","agency_name","description","ungovr_email"],"created_by":"ungovr","validated_at":"2026-02-07","template_text":"{{today_date}}\n\n{{agency_name}}\nPublic Records Coordinator\n{{#if agency_address}}{{agency_address_line1}}\n{{#if agency_address_line2}}{{agency_address_line2}}{{/if}}\n{{agency_city}}, CA {{agency_postal_code}}{{/if}}\n\nRe: California Public Records Act Request\n\nDear Records Custodian:\n\nPursuant to the California Public Records Act (Cal. Gov. Code §§ 7920.000-7931.000), I request access to and copies of the following public records:\n\n{{description}}\n\n{{#if preferred_format}}I would prefer to receive these records in {{preferred_format}} format if available. As provided in Gov. Code § 7922.570, if the records are maintained electronically, I request they be provided in electronic format.{{/if}}\n\nAs provided by the California Public Records Act, please respond to this request within 10 days. Under Gov. Code § 7922.535, you must either provide the records, provide a timeframe for when they will be available, or deny the request with specific legal justification.\n\nI note that under California law, agencies may only charge for direct costs of duplication, not for time spent searching for, reviewing, or redacting records.\n\n{{#if fee_waiver_justification}}I request that any applicable fees be waived. {{fee_waiver_justification}}{{/if}}\n\nPlease send all responsive records and correspondence to:\n\n{{ungovr_email}}\n\nIf you deny all or any part of this request, please cite the specific exemption(s) under the California Public Records Act that you believe justifies your refusal to release the information. Please provide all segregable portions of otherwise exempt records.\n\nThank you for your assistance.\n\nSincerely,\n\n{{#if requester_name}}{{requester_name}}\n{{#if requester_address_line1}}{{requester_address_line1}}\n{{#if requester_address_line2}}{{requester_address_line2}}{{/if}}\n{{requester_city}}, CA {{requester_postal_code}}{{/if}}\n{{#if requester_phone}}{{requester_phone}}{{/if}}{{else}}A member of the public{{/if}}\nEmail: {{ungovr_email}}","conditional_variables":["requester_name","requester_address_line1","requester_phone","fee_waiver_justification","preferred_format"]}],"secondary_sources":[{"url":"https://www.rcfp.org/open-government-guide/california/","name":"RCFP Open Government Guide — California","note":"Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press — comprehensive state open records guide","type":"guide"},{"url":"https://www.nfoic.org/coalitions/state-foi-resources/","name":"NFOIC State FOI Resources","note":"National Freedom of Information Coalition — state-by-state FOI resources","type":"guide"}],"submission_channel":{"verdict":"no_written_requirement","label":"Requests may be made in any form, including orally, so a portal can never be the only accepted channel."},"updated":"2026-08-05T06:13:39.576948+00:00"}