Inspection of Public Records Act

Notice of Right to Inspect Public Records

By law, under the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), every person has the right to inspect public records of the Indian Affairs Department unless the records are protected by law. Compliance with requests to inspect public records is an integral part of the routine duties of the officers and employees of the Indian Affairs Department.

A person desiring to inspect public records may submit a request to the IPRA Records Custodian orally or in writing. However, the procedures and penalties prescribed by the IPRA apply only to written requests. A written request must contain the name, email address, and telephone number of the person making the request.

The request must describe the records sought in sufficient detail to enable the IPRA Records Custodian to identify and locate the requested records.

The Records Custodian must permit inspection immediately or as soon as practicable, but no later than 15 calendar days after the records custodian receives the inspection request. If inspection is not permitted within three business days, the person making the request will receive a written response explaining when the records will be available for inspection or when the public body will respond to the request.

If any of the records sought are not available for public inspection, the person making the request is entitled to a written response from the Records Custodian explaining the reasons inspection has been denied. The written denial shall be delivered or mailed within 15 calendar days after the Records Custodian receives the request for inspection.

Please review the comprehensive Inspection of Public Records Compliance Guide publication if you have any questions regarding IPRA requirements or its application.

Fees: The IPRA allows agencies to charge a reasonable fee for copies of public records. The Indian Affairs Department charges a fee of $0.25 per side of copying and charges the actual cost for a CD or jump drive for electronic copies that cannot be emailed. For copies saved to a CD or jump drive, the Inidan Affairs Department may charge the cost of the employee’s time required to download the records. For example, if the employee is paid twenty dollars ($20.00) per hour and the scanning takes thirty (30) minutes, the cost of the time will be ten dollars ($10.00). The Indian Affairs Department will mail documents if the requester provides the agency with: (1) advance payment for the actual costs required for delivery or adequate prepaid postage and (2) the costs associated with copying or scanning the request. The Indian Affairs Department charges a fee of $0.05 per page for transmitting electronic copies of public records totaling more than 2,000 pages.