Open Records

Ohio’s public records law is the Ohio Public Records Act, found at Ohio Revised Code § 149.43. It gives “any person” the right to access records held by state and local public offices, without needing to explain why.

Who can request records

Any person may request records – Ohio doesn’t require state residency, and the requester’s identity or intended use generally can’t be demanded as a condition of the request.

What’s covered

A “public record” is broadly defined as any record kept by a public office – documents, emails, databases, videos, and other materials created or received in the course of official business. More than 50 categories of information are carved out as specific exceptions under the statute. Content on personal devices is still a public record if it documents the business of the public office – a common point of confusion for both requesters and agencies.

How to request

Submit the request directly to the public office in question. No specific form or written request is required – the office can’t demand a stated purpose or the requester’s identity as a precondition, though some offices ask for optional contact information to facilitate a response.

Response timeline

Ohio does NOT set a specific fixed number of days for a response. Instead, the standard is that public records must be “promptly prepared and made available” for inspection during regular business hours, and copies must be provided “within a reasonable period of time” – reasonableness is judged based on the volume of records requested, where they’re physically stored, and any necessary legal review or redaction. In practice, agencies are generally expected to respond within several days for straightforward requests.

Fees

– Agencies may charge only the actual cost of making and delivering copies (paper, toner, storage media, postage) – NOT for the staff time spent searching for, reviewing, or redacting records. – The fee can’t exceed the lowest amount that office charges anyone else for the same type of copy. – Electronic copies are typically charged at a lower rate than physical copies. – Video records (e.g., police body cam or jail footage) carry a distinct, higher fee structure – local governments can charge up to $75/hour, capped at $750, for that category specifically. – Prepayment may be required before copies are produced. – Inspecting records in person, without requesting copies, is free.

Exemptions

Ohio’s more than 50 statutory exemption categories cover things like certain law enforcement investigatory records, trial preparation records, and other specifically enumerated categories under § 149.43(A)(1).

If your request is denied

If a request is denied in whole or in part, the office must explain the denial and cite the specific legal authority justifying it. There’s no formal administrative appeal – instead, a requester can file a mandamus-style action in the Ohio Court of Claims for a modest filing fee (around $25). Courts can award reasonable attorney’s fees, and must do so if the office simply failed to respond within the required timeframe, missed a promised response date, or acted in bad faith. Courts may also award punitive damages of up to $100 per business day for a violation. The Ohio Attorney General’s office also plays an active role in explaining and enforcing the law.

A note on terminology

Ohio’s law is officially the “Ohio Public Records Act” (ORC § 149.43) – the same basic type of law that other states call an “Open Records Act,” “FOIA Laws” (South Carolina), or “Public Records Laws” (Tennessee).