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Georgia open records requests for police surveillance

Send a written request to the proper custodian, track the three-business-day rule and any production timeline, and review costs and dispute options.

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Conceptual illustration

Send the written request to the proper custodian

The Attorney General directs requests to the agency holding the records and its designated request handler, if one is listed. Its guidance recommends writing to document the scope and timing; statutory enforcement actions depend on a written request. Keep the request and proof of receipt. Georgia AG: custodian and written requests

Section 50-18-71(b)(2) in the AG's linked statutory copy says that, when an agency requires delivery to a designated recipient, the three-day written-response period starts with the written request to that recipient. Check the holding agency's published route. Georgia AG: linked statutory copy

Describe existing governance documents

The AG FAQ says agencies need not create new reports, summaries or compilations. Ask for existing policies, contracts, sharing lists and a narrowly dated log, rather than a new analysis of an individual's travel. Georgia AG: response and existing-record guidance

Distinguish available records from later production

The AG describes production within three business days absent exceptional circumstances. If records cannot be produced then, its guidance calls for a written production date, applicable costs and any specific statutory exemption. Do not assume every responsive file will arrive within three business days. Georgia AG: response and existing-record guidance

Ask for costs before authorizing the work

The Treasurer's notice dated 07-01-2026 describes reasonable search, redaction and production charges based on the lowest-paid qualified employee, with the first 15 minutes free. It separately describes copying and electronic-media costs. Ask the holding agency for an itemized estimate and its applicable fee basis. Georgia Treasurer: dated fee guidance

Section 50-18-71(d) in the linked statutory copy addresses estimates above $25 and allows work to await cost agreement in the stated circumstances. It permits advance payment when the production estimate exceeds $500, with another rule for unpaid prior costs. Georgia AG: linked statutory copy

Copy and adapt the request

Replace every bracketed field and use the correct agency recipient. This adaptable text requests governance documents and does not submit anything.

Download request template (.txt)

To: [Holding agency's designated open records officer or proper custodian]

Date: [MM-DD-YYYY]

Subject: Georgia Open Records Act request: plate-reader governance

I request electronic copies of the following existing records held by [agency] for [start date] through [end date]:

1. Plate-reader operating policies, retention schedules, audit procedures and training materials effective during the period.

2. Executed equipment and data-service contracts, amendments, purchase orders and invoices during the period.

3. Existing lists of sharing partners and executed data-sharing agreements effective during the period.

4. Existing access or query audit logs for [narrow date range], subject to applicable exemptions and lawful redaction. This request concerns system governance rather than an individual's movement history.

Please provide the records available within the applicable three-business-day period. If responsive records exist but are unavailable within that period, please describe them and provide a production timeline and estimated costs.

Please contact me with an itemized estimate before charges exceed [$ amount]. I can discuss narrowing the request.

For any withheld record or portion, please identify the specific statutory provision and supply the accessible remainder.

Name: [name]

Reply contact: [contact]

Retain the denial and accessible portions

The AG request guide says withholding must identify the specific statutory provision. Its FAQ explains that protected portions can be redacted while the accessible record is produced. Keep the denial, request and subsequent messages together. Georgia AG: custodian and written requests · Georgia AG: response and existing-record guidance

Consider informal mediation or the appropriate court process

The AG's program describes informal mediation of local-government access disputes raised by Georgia citizens. It reviews complaints for suitability; submitting one does not guarantee acceptance or a result. The office warns that submitted information becomes a public record and may be shared with the government involved, so do not include sensitive information in its form. Georgia AG: informal mediation

Section 50-18-73 in the AG's statutory copy provides superior-court enforcement jurisdiction. The informal program is a separate route; check the applicable court procedure and deadlines before choosing how to proceed. Georgia AG: linked statutory copy

Questions and answers

Can a verbal request support the same statutory enforcement action?

The AG recommends a written request and says enforcement actions can only be based on written requests. Georgia AG: custodian and written requests

Does the template guarantee access to every audit-log field?

No. The AG guidance identifies exemptions and redaction. The accessible portions depend on the records and applicable law. Georgia AG: response and existing-record guidance

Is a mediation complaint confidential?

The program warns that submitted information becomes a public record and may be shared with the government entity involved. Georgia AG: informal mediation

Sources and scope

Official Georgia request and mediation guidance, the AG's linked statutory text and the Treasurer's notice dated 07-01-2026 checked 10-23-2026. The guide separates available records, later production, cost agreement and dispute routes.

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