FAQs

Question: What is an Open Records Request?

Answer: All government information is presumed to be available to the public pursuant to the Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) § 58-18-70 (known as the Georgia Open Records Law). Certain exemptions may apply to the disclosure of information in accordance with State law O.C.G.A. § 58-18-72.

Question: How long will it take for me to obtain the documents I have requested?

Answer: If Coweta County has the records you are seeking, the Georgia Open Records Law stipulates that they are to be provided within three (3) business days of receiving the request; however, voluminous requests may require a longer time period for staff to provide a response. In such case, staff will notify the requester with a timeline for when the records will be available for inspection or copying. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71.

"(d) In any instance in which an agency is required to or has decided to withhold all or part of a requested record, the agency shall notify the requester of the specific legal authority exempting the requested record or records from disclosure by Code section, subsection, and paragraph within a reasonable amount of time not to exceed three business days or in the event the search and retrieval of records is delayed pursuant to this subsection or pursuant to subparagraph (b)(1)(A) of this Code section, then no later than three business days after the records have been retrieved. In any instance in which an agency will seek costs in excess of $25.00 for responding to a request, the agency shall notify the requester within a reasonable amount of time not to exceed three business days and inform the requester of the estimate of the costs, and the agency may defer search and retrieval of the records until the requester agrees to pay the estimated costs unless the requester has stated in his or her request a willingness to pay an amount that exceeds the search and retrieval costs. In any instance in which the estimated costs for production of the records exceeds $500.00, an agency may insist on prepayment of the costs prior to beginning search, retrieval, review, or production of the records. Whenever any person who has requested to inspect or copy a public record has not paid the cost for search, retrieval, redaction, or copying of such records when such charges have been lawfully incurred, an agency may require prepayment for compliance with all future requests for production of records from that person until the costs for the prior production of records have been paid or the dispute regarding payment resolved."

Question: Are there any fees associated with my open records request?

Answer: The Georgia Open Records Law outlines fees associated with open records requests as follows:

 O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71.

"(c)(1) An agency may impose a reasonable charge for the search, retrieval, redaction, and production or copying costs for the production of records pursuant to this article. An agency shall utilize the most economical means reasonably calculated to identify and produce responsive, non excluded documents. Where fees for certified copies or other copies or records are specifically authorized or otherwise prescribed by law, such specific fee shall apply when certified copies or other records to which a specific fee may apply are sought. In all other instances, the charge for the search, retrieval, or redaction of records shall not exceed the prorated hourly salary of the lowest paid full-time employee who, in the reasonable discretion of the custodian of the records, has the necessary skill and training to perform the request; provided, however, that no charge shall be made for the first quarter hour.

(2) In addition to a charge for the search, retrieval, or redaction of records, an agency may charge a fee for the copying of records or data, not to exceed 10¢ per page for letter or legal size documents or, in the case of other documents, the actual cost of producing the copy. In the case of electronic records, the agency may charge the actual cost of the media on which the records or data are produced.

(3) Whenever any person has requested to inspect or copy a public record and does not pay the cost for search, retrieval, redaction, or copying of such records when such charges have been lawfully estimated and agreed to pursuant to this article, and the agency has incurred the agreed-upon costs to make the records available, regardless of whether the requester inspects or accepts copies of the records, the agency shall be authorized to collect such charges in any manner authorized by law for the collection of taxes, fees, or assessments by such agency."

Question: Where should I send payment for my open records request?

Answer: Make your check payable to "Coweta County, Georgia", be sure to include your name and request number, and send to:

Coweta County, Georgia

Finance Department

Attn: Susan Lambert

22 East Broad Street

Newnan, Georgia 30263