Public Records Request - Alaska

ALASKA PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST

(Alaska Stat. §§ 40.25.110–40.25.295)

PRACTITIONER NOTES

1. Alaska law generally opens public-agency records to inspection during regular office hours, subject to statutory and other lawful confidentiality exceptions. See Alaska Stat. §§ 40.25.110(a), 40.25.120.
2. Submit the request under the procedures of the correct government branch or agency. Alaska Stat. § 40.25.123 requires administrative-appeal procedures for covered state public agencies, but its definition of “public agency” excludes municipalities.
3. If the requester is involved in litigation, Alaska Stat. § 40.25.122 may require disclosure under the procedural rules governing that court or administrative adjudication.
4. The statute does not create the federal FOIA expedited-processing framework. Ask for prompt handling if needed, but do not represent that a universal statutory expedited right applies.
5. Fees can include standard duplication costs and, after five person-hours for one requester in a calendar month, actual salary-and-benefit costs for search and copying work. See § 40.25.110(b)–(d).

Delete bracketed instructions and optional language that do not apply.

REQUEST LETTER

Date: [DATE]

To:
[RECORDS CUSTODIAN OR PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICER]
[PUBLIC AGENCY]
[ADDRESS OR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION PORTAL]

From:
[REQUESTER NAME]
[TITLE / ORGANIZATION, IF ANY]
[MAILING ADDRESS]
[EMAIL]
[TELEPHONE]

Re: Alaska Public Records Request — [SUBJECT]

Dear Records Custodian:

Under Alaska Stat. §§ 40.25.110 and 40.25.120, I request inspection and copies of the following public records:

1. Records Requested

1. [DESCRIBE EACH RECORD OR RECORD SET PRECISELY.]
2. [STATE THE RELEVANT DATE RANGE, SUBJECT, OFFICE, CUSTODIAN, CONTRACT OR CASE NUMBER, AND OTHER LOCATORS.]
3. [ADD ADDITIONAL ITEMIZED REQUESTS.]

Helpful search information, which does not narrow the itemized descriptions unless expressly stated:

• Likely custodians/offices: [LIST]
• Suggested terms: [LIST]
• Likely record systems: [LIST, IF KNOWN]

If clarification would help identify the requested records, please contact me at [EMAIL/PHONE].

2. Inspection, Copies, and Format

I request:

• ☐ inspection of the responsive records;
• ☐ electronic copies in the form in which the agency keeps them, if available; or
• ☐ paper or certified copies.

Preferred delivery method: [EMAIL / SECURE LINK / INSPECTION APPOINTMENT / MAIL].

Alaska Stat. § 40.25.115 encourages usable electronic formats. For a public record duplicated in the electronic form kept by the agency, § 40.25.115(c) limits the fee to the agency's actual incremental cost.

3. Fees and Optional Waiver Request

I agree to pay properly assessed fees up to $[AMOUNT]. Please provide an estimate and obtain my authorization before exceeding that amount.

Under Alaska Stat. § 40.25.110(b)–(c), ordinary copying fees generally may not exceed the agency's standard unit cost of duplication. If production for one requester exceeds five person-hours in a calendar month, the agency may require payment of actual salary-and-benefit costs for the additional search and copying work and may require advance payment.

Optional waiver/reduction request: I ask the agency to reduce or waive fees under § 40.25.110(d) because disclosure serves the public interest as follows: [FACT-SPECIFIC EXPLANATION]. I understand that similarly situated persons must receive uniform treatment.

4. Withheld Records and Partial Disclosure

If the agency withholds a record or portion of a record, please identify the legal basis for withholding and release any nonconfidential portions that can be provided separately. Please identify the official or office to which I may direct any available administrative appeal.

5. Response and Contact

Please contact me if the request requires clarification, if the agency believes another public agency is the proper custodian, or if fees are likely to exceed the stated cap. If practicable, I request rolling production of available records.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

__________________________________
[REQUESTER NAME]
[TITLE / ORGANIZATION, IF ANY]
[DATE]

POST-SUBMISSION AND APPEAL NOTES

• State administrative procedures: Alaska Stat. § 40.25.123(e) requires covered state public agencies to establish procedures for administrative appeals of record denials, fee calculations, and denials of fee reductions or waivers. Follow the agency's governing regulations or procedures.
• Municipal requests: Section 40.25.123's definition excludes municipalities. Confirm the municipality's procedures and any other applicable law before assuming the state administrative process applies.
• Superior court review: Under Alaska Stat. § 40.25.124, a person may appeal a final administrative order made under §§ 40.25.110–40.25.140 to the superior court.
• Litigation-related requests: Section 40.25.122 directs a person involved in litigation to the disclosure rules applicable in the court or administrative adjudication.
• Exceptions: Section 40.25.120 and other federal or state confidentiality laws may restrict access. Do not treat a request as overriding an applicable confidentiality statute.
• Pending legislation: Bills introduced in the 2025–2026 legislature may propose changes to public-record fees or exceptions. Confirm enacted session laws before relying on this template after its verification date.

CURRENT OFFICIAL SOURCES

• Alaska Statutes, Title 40, Chapter 25, §§ 40.25.110–40.25.295 (Alaska Legislature)
• Alaska Legislature bill records for the 34th Legislature (2025–2026), checked for amendments affecting §§ 40.25.110, 40.25.120, 40.25.123, and 40.25.124