Access to information is a human, constitutional, and fundamental right. Everyone has the right to request and receive information and documents held by the government. You can file a public records request on your own, without hiring a lawyer.
The Centro de Periodismo Investigativo (CPI) provides several essential tools to help you exercise your right to know and hold government accountable.
We recommend following these steps:
1. First, identify as precisely as possible the information or documents you want to obtain and the government agency or municipality that has custody of them.
2. Next, download and customize this public records request template. Be sure to complete all sections with the specific details of your request. When you submit it, remember to request an acknowledgment of receipt.
Send your request by email to the agency’s information officers and agency heads, including mayors when submitting a request to a municipality. You can find their contact information in our official public information directories: Agency Directory and Municipality Directory.
3. If the agency or municipality denies your request or fails to respond within the time limits established by law, you can file a special petition under the Transparency and Expedited Procedure Act with the Superior Court in the San Juan Judicial Region.
Download and complete the CPI’s Model Special Petition for Access to Public Information and file it with the court. The Judicial Branch has also created its own version of the special petition form, which you may use instead.
The court clerk’s office is also required to provide guidance on how to file the petition. For more information, you can consult the Judicial Branch’s official Community Services page.
Download the documents:
