Public Records Request

Under Florida Statute 119.011(12), a public record is all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material, regardless of physical form, characteristics, or means of transmission, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by the University.

Under Florida Statute 119.011(12), a public record is all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material, regardless of physical form, characteristics, or means of transmission, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by the University.

1. Email: publicrecords@fau.edu
2. Phone: 561-297-2452
3. Fax: 561-297-2307
4. In person or in writing to:
   Florida Atlantic University
   Public Records
   Division of University Communications
   777 Glades Road, AD 111A
   Boca Raton, FL 33431

No. Public records requests do not have to be made in writing unless specifically required by statute. However, FAU receives many public records requests and to help us to streamline the process, we ask you to voluntarily make your request in writing.

Florida Statute 119.07(c) states that a custodian of public records must acknowledge requests to inspect or copy records promptly and respond to such requests in good faith. While the Public Records Act does not contain a specific time limit, the University must respond within a reasonable time-period, which includes the time it takes to review the request, search, retrieve and process records for release. Some requests may only take a few minutes while others may take weeks. The length of time depends on the order in which the request is received relative to other outstanding public records requests, as well as the volume and scope of the request. FAU is committed to providing records as quickly and efficiently as possible.

No. FAU is obligated to respond to public records requests in a reasonable time. Your request will be handled in the order in which it is received, and as promptly as possible.

Pursuant to section 119.07(4), Florida Statutes, FAU may impose the following fees, which are also available on the Florida Governor’s website at www.flgov.com/cost-recovery-program:

• One-sided Copy: $ 0.15 per page of not more than 8½ x 14 inches
• Double-sided copy: $ 0.20 per page of not more than 8½ x 14 inches
• All other copies Actual cost of duplication (material and supplies, not labor)
• CD-ROM: $0.85 each
• DVD: $1.15 each
• Certified Copies: $1.00 per page
• Packaging and shipping charges: Estimated costs may be changed to reflect actual cost incurred

Yes. FAU will assess an “extensive use” charge for any request that requires more than one hour of information technology resources, clerical or supervisory assistance, or both. FAU voluntarily waives the first hour of resources required to fulfill your request. Pursuant to F.S. 119.07(4)(d):

If the nature or volume of public records requested to be inspected or copied pursuant to this subsection is such as to require extensive use of information technology resources or extensive clerical or supervisory assistance by personnel of the agency involved, or both, the agency may charge, in addition to the actual cost of duplication, a special service charge, which shall be reasonable and shall be based on the cost incurred for such extensive use of information technology resources or the labor cost of the personnel providing the service that is actually incurred by the agency or attributable to the agency for the clerical and supervisory assistance required, or both.

When possible, a good-faith deposit invoice will be submitted to the requestor, which provides an estimate of the costs to fulfill a request. That invoice must be paid before FAU will fulfill the request.

No. Florida’s public records law requires agencies to make available to the public only copies of records that already exist.

No. Florida’s public records law obligates agencies to provide copies of public records. It does not require agencies to “explain” records or answer questions based in the records’ content. 

Requests will be closed if a requesting party fails to pay the final or deposit invoice, or fails to respond to inquiries for clarification pertaining to a public records request after 30 days following the invoice or clarification inquiry.

To order an official transcript, visit www.fau.edu/registrar/transcripts.php.