Getting Public Records
Idaho Code § 74-102 and Idaho Code § 74-103 — a presumption of openness, an answer within three working days, and ten if more time is needed
Presumed open. Every person has a right to examine and take a copy of any public record of the state, and all public records are presumed open at reasonable times unless a statute expressly says otherwise.
An agency may require a written request specifically describing the records, with a date range, and the requester's name and contact details. The request goes to the designated records custodian and must clearly say it is a public records request.
Three working days. The agency grants or denies a resident's request within three working days, and a nonresident's within twenty-one days. If it needs longer to locate the records, it says so in writing and provides them no later than ten working days after the request.
Many categories of records are exempt under the chapter. A denial can be taken to court. A particular request is a question for the agency's custodian or a licensed Idaho attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- Idaho Code § 74-102 — Public records, right to examine
- Idaho Code § 74-103 — Request and response to request for examination of public records
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Idaho attorney.