Open Records Request

Non-Police Open Records Request

Open records requests for all topics excluding police matters must be submitted to the Brookhaven City Clerk. Fill out an Open Records Request Form (by selecting the online form located at the bottom of this page).

The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. §50-18-70-77) requires that all city records, except those excluded by court order or by state law, be open for personal inspection to any citizen at a reasonable time and place. Also, Pursuant to Chapter 2, Section 2-3 of the City of Brookhaven Code of Ordinances, all requests made under the Georgia Open Records Act, with the exception of standardized routine requests of the City of Brookhaven Police Department and the City of Brookhaven Municipal Court shall be made to the City Clerk. Under O.C.G.A. §50-18-70, public records include all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, computer-based or generated information, or similar material prepared and maintained or received in the course in the city’s course of operation.

You will receive confirmation of your request within 72 hours after it is submitted.

Please note that there may be some cost associated with obtaining an Open Records Request.  These costs would relate to any copying and/or administrative costs incurred in fulfilling the request(s) to the extent permitted by Georgia law. Such costs may include copying charges of $.10 per page and administrative charges for search, retrieval and other direct administrative costs. Such administrative charges should not exceed the salary of the lowest paid full-time employee who, in the discretion of the custodian of the records, has the necessary skill and training to perform the request.

The requester is not charged for the first 15 minutes of time.

Per the City of Brookhaven Records Management Policy and Procedures and Code of Ordinances, the City of Brookhaven retains and preserves vital records of its business and operations to preserve any historical record of the City, to ensure current and future operations, and to comply with its legal obligations as specified by the Georgia Records Act, O.C.G.A. §50-18-90 - § 50-18-103 and the State Record’s Retention and Disposition Schedule which can be accessed at  https://www.georgiaarchives.org/records/retention_schedules.  This policy is in conjunction with Chapter 2, Administration, Section 2-3 Document Retention, of the City of Brookhaven Code of Ordinances.  The City adopts the Secretary of State’s record retention schedules and the City Clerk shall coordinate all records management for the City. 

Police Open Records Request

I understand that pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, I may be charged administrative and copying fees for the cost to search, retrieve, copy, redact, and supervise inspection of the requested documents. Requests submitted after 2 p.m. will be received the next business day. The fee for copying is generally $.10 per letter or legal size page unless otherwise provided by state law. In the case of other documents, I understand that I may be charged the actual cost to produce such documents. In addition, the hourly rate of the lowest paid full-time employee with the necessary skill and training to respond to my request will be charged after the first 15 minutes. I agree to pay all copying and administrative costs incurred in fulfilling my open records request.

The Georgia Open Records Act also exempts certain records from public access. If the records you request are exempt, you will be provided information in writing that details why the records will not be provided. If portions of the records you request are exempt, the exempt information will be redacted (indicated by a blacked out area) from the document.

For more information regarding the Georgia Open Records Act please download the Georgia Sunshine Laws publication.