---
title: "What Are Records Requests?"
slug: "what-are-public-requests"
updated: 2026-08-28T18:44:04Z
published: 2026-08-28T18:44:04Z
canonical: "docs.revealdata.com/what-are-public-requests"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.revealdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What Are Records Requests?

Records requests are formal requests made by individuals or organizations to obtain access to records held by government agencies. These requests are based on laws that promote transparency and public access to government information, such as the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) at the federal level in the United States and state-specific public records laws.

## Different Laws, Same Request ![Flowchart illustrating data requests and types of personal data held by agencies.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/3e21d801-ca9f-4c51-93db-9cbd32741f3d/Images/Documentation/Different Law - Same Request Image_1@4x.png)