Title: Washington Sample Letter for Appeal Citing Freedom of Information Act — Requesting Access to Public Records Introduction: The Washington Sample Letter for Appeal Citing Freedom of Information Act provides a comprehensive template to individuals seeking access to public records under the Washington state's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This sample letter acts as a guide for drafting an effective appeal to government agencies when initial requests for public information are denied, delayed, or incomplete. Keywords: — Washington Freedom of Information Ac— - Washington FOIA — Sample letter for appea— - Requesting access to public records — Public recordappearea— - Washington state public information access — Governmentransparentnc— - FOIA request denial — FOIA request delay Types of Washington Sample Letter for Appeal Citing Freedom of Information Act: 1. Standard Appeal Letter: In cases where initial requests are denied or partially fulfilled, individuals can use the standard appeal letter sample to outline the reasons for the appeal, citing the Washington Freedom of Information Act and emphasizing the importance of government transparency. 2. Delayed Response Appeal Letter: When government agencies fail to respond to FOIA requests within the required timeframe, individuals can use this sample letter to assert their right to timely access public records. It emphasizes the necessity of prompt response in accordance with the Washington FOIA guidelines and seeks an explanation for the delay. 3. Incomplete Response Appeal Letter: In situations where the received documents are incomplete or redacted without proper justification, individuals can use this sample letter to appeal for access to the complete, unaltered records. It outlines the specifics of the discrepancies and urges the government agency to provide the missing information while adhering to the Washington FOIA provisions. 4. Fee Waiver Appeal Letter: In cases where excessive charges for providing public records are imposed, individuals can use this sample letter to appeal against the fees. It requests a waiver or reduction in the charges, justifying the need for access to the requested public records for a legitimate purpose, such as research, journalism, or public interest. Conclusion: The Washington Sample Letter for Appeal Citing Freedom of Information Act offers a range of templates to address various scenarios where individuals encounter obstacles in obtaining public records. These letters assist in asserting the right to access information, emphasizing government transparency, and compelling government agencies to adhere to the Washington state FOIA guidelines.
Para su conveniencia, debajo del texto en español le brindamos la versión completa de este formulario en inglés. For your convenience, the complete English version of this form is attached below the Spanish version.