Getting Public Records

Any person of the age of majority may inspect, copy or reproduce any public record, and anyone may obtain a copy, unless a law provides otherwise. The burden of proving a record is not open rests with the custodian.

• §La. R.S. 44:31StatuteRight to examine recordsOpens legis.la.gov ↗

• The custodian may ask only about the requester's age and identification, and may not ask why the record is wanted.
• No fee may be charged just to examine or review a record.
• A record in active use is certified as such in writing, with a day and hour fixed within three days, not counting weekends and legal holidays, for the inspection.
• A custodian who questions whether a record is public answers in writing, with reasons, within five days of the written request, not counting weekends and legal holidays.

• §La. R.S. 44:32StatuteDuty to permit examination; prevention of alteration; payment for overtime; copies provided; feesOpens legis.la.gov ↗
• §La. R.S. 44:33StatuteAvailability of recordsOpens legis.la.gov ↗

A person denied a record, or left five days without a written answer, may sue in the parish where the custodian's office is. The suit is tried by preference, and a requester who wins gets reasonable attorney fees; an arbitrary failure to answer can bring civil penalties of up to $100 a day.

• §La. R.S. 44:35StatuteEnforcementOpens legis.la.gov ↗