Question 1

Which Act

Accepted Answer

A department, a ministry, or another central government agency is asked under the Official Information Act 1982. A local council is asked under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987. You can ask in writing or in another form. The useful request says what you want, clearly enough that a stranger could find it.

Question 2

Fill in this letter

Accepted Answer

Use this one for a department, a ministry, or another central government agency. Send it to that agency, not to the Ombudsman. Use a contact the agency publishes.

Question 3

What the letter does

Accepted Answer

The letter asks for official information. It does not decide a fine, a tax assessment, or a case. Those stay on their own tracks. Read What we don't teach if someone has told you that a special wording takes you out of an Act.

Question 4

The law behind this guide

Accepted Answer

The time limits below were read in the latest versions. They are general information. Confirm the deadline that applies to a particular request.