Office of Public Information Requests

Woman raising her hand to ask a question

Welcome to the Office of Public Information Requests

The Office of Public Information Requests (OPIR) was established to create a more straightforward and consistent process for the Montanans to request state records. In the State’s response to public record requests, the agencies provide consistency in the production, cost, and process of providing public records.

The Montana Constitution (Art. II, sec. 9) affords the public the right to examine documents of all public bodies or agencies of the State of Montana. These requests are also known as “right to know,” “public information,” “public record,” “PIR,” but not FOIA. Freedom of Information Act is a federal right-to-know law that does not apply or control the retention or release of state records.

Submit Public Records Request

Our Services

UPDATE: Before filing a records request, please review the supported agencies and departments by clicking on OPIR Agencies in the upper right-hand corner. If the agency or department you seek information from is not listed, please get in touch with that agency or review that agency's website for information on how to file a records request from that agency/department.

OPIR fulfills public information requests under the following definition:

"Public Information" means information prepared, owned, used, or retained by a public agency relating to the transaction of official business, regardless of form, except for confidential information that must be protected against public disclosure under applicable law.

  • Please note: OPIR provides records/documents maintained or recorded by a state agency. The Office of Public Information Requests (OPIR) is the designated contact for executive branch agencies supported by OPIR. To request public records/information, please click on this link: https://mt-pir.arkcase.us/pir/portal/reading-room [mt-pir.arkcase.us].

All public information requests we handle must be submitted using one of these methods.

  • To request information from an agency not on the OPIR agency list, you must contact the agency's designated contact.
  • Personal Information or Property Requests: A request for information about your personal or property records (such as vital records, professional licenses, building permits, etc.) should not be requested using this form. Information about your personal records should be made directly to the agency that maintains your record. If your request is for information about someone other than yourself, please proceed to file your request through our process.

Purpose: ArkCase is a public records site where the public can request state government records.

NOTE: State employees seeking records or information from another state agency should contact the agency directly.

The Office of Public Information Requests (OPIR) helps process information requests for agencies reporting to the governor. The full list of agencies supported by OPIR can be found on the OPIR Agencies page.

If you want to request information from a local government, the legislative or judicial branches of state government, the Montana University System, or agencies run by other elected officials (for example, the Attorney General, State Auditor and Commissioner of Insurance and Securities, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Secretary of State, and Public Service Commission), you will need to contact those agencies directly. OPIR does not handle their information requests.

OPIR Agencies

Before submitting a request, we encourage you to read through the Frequently Asked Questions and Checklist for a Faster Response Time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Requestors must describe the records sought in sufficient detail to enable personnel to locate them with a reasonable amount of effort. To the extent possible, requesters should include specific information that may help the agency identify the requested records, such as the date, title or name, author, recipient, subject matter of the record, case number, file designation, or reference number. If your request does not reasonably describe the records sought, the response to the request may be delayed.

  • Complete the online form clearly indicating the information you wish to receive.
  • Use key words instead of long phrases.
  • Be very specific using key words.
  • Narrow your request to a specific timeframe if you are seeking emails, providing a start and end date is extremely helpful.
  • Make sure you are providing names and organization names correctly, including spelling, spacing, and punctuation. It is not the responsibility of staff to determine what you are searching for.
  • Multiple search terms, names, departments or email addresses will result in your request being classified as “not readily available” and will significantly delay a response. Be specific.
For example, a request such as “I would like to receive all information on the use of XYZ on state government devices” is not specific. “All the information” and “state government devices” are very broad terms and could result in thousands of results. Additionally, a search may turn up zero results on a search term that is misspelled or has an alternate spelling or variant word.

The OPIR is fully committed to promoting the full participation of people with disabilities in the OPIR process and will provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities who may need further assistance. Please contact OPIR by email at publicrecords@mt.gov or by phone at (406) 444-2686 if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the OPIR process. See the Department of Administration’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Public Notice Statement for additional information on the Department’s commitment to people with disabilities and the ADA.