What is the California Public Records Act?

The right to inspect public records is generally regulated by the California Public Records Act Cal. Govt. Code§§ 6250 et seq. The legislature, while mindful of the right of individuals to privacy, found and declared that access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in the state. The general policy of the act favors disclosure and a refusal to disclose information must be justified by the specific exceptions enumerated in the act.

Public records within the coverage of the Public Records act are ordinarily open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency in which they are kept. Govt. Code § 6253(a).

Records will be made promptly available for inspection and for copying, generally within ten (10) calendar days. In certain circumstances, such as for requests for voluminous records or when the City must locate records from different City facilities, the ten (10) days may be extended by written notice from the department for no more than an additional fourteen (14) days as provided by law.

What public records are subject to inspection?

"Public records" that are subject generally to inspection and copying include any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public's business prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics.

Any tape or film record of a meeting made by or at the direction of a local agency is a public record which must be retained and made available to the public.

E-mail and other computer records, as with their paper counterparts, are public records if (1) they contain information relating to the conduct of the public's business and (2) they are prepared, owned, used or retained by the agency.

How do I submit a Public Records Request Form?

To submit a public records request, scroll down and fill out the Public Records Request Form Electronically.

To submit a public records request via PDF, please click on the following link: Public Records Request Form.

You can also submit a public records request by fax at (818) 241-5386, email at COGCityClerk@glendaleca.gov, phone at (818) 548-4000 or at the City Clerk’s counter. Certain City documents can be obtained and certified in the City Clerk's Office. Copies of all documents, including campaign disclosure forms, are available at $.10 per page.

Please Note

The city DOES NOT provide the following types of records:

• Copies of marriage licenses
• birth certificates
• fictitious name statements
• business licenses
• real property inquiries

For such requests, please contact the Los Angeles County Registrar/Recorder’s offices.