Request Components

[Raeann Santos]

I received a request for records via email that included a description of the record, requestor’s email, name & phone number but no address of any kind (not a business or personal address).

It’s my understanding that without an address for requestor, the “request” doesn’t meet the criteria for a FOIA request.

Would your agency reach out and ask for requestor’s address? Would you honor the request without an address? Any other thoughts?

[Susie Haney]

I personally send back a letter citing missing information and a link to our electronic request form to kindly ask they resubmit so it constitutes a proper request. (I also have a thorn who would argue I demand different standards from just him if he ever found out I did not hold everyone to the same standards.) MCL 15.233(1) states name, address (in compliance w/ the USPS), phone and/or email. I have a file of multiple FOIA letters I have tweaked over the years from FOIA classes. This is a sample of what I would send.

March 12, 2025
Subject: Incomplete FOIA request

Mr. Smith,

The City of Fenton Police Department (FPD) has received your request for public records under the provisions of the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.233 et seq.

The FPD is unable to process your request as presented. Section 3(1) of the FOIA, MCL 15.233(1) requires as follows:

A request from a person, other than an individual who qualifies as indigent under section 4(2)(a), must include requesting person’s complete name, address, and contact information, and, if the request is made by a person other than the individual, the complete name, address, and contact information of the person’s agent who is an individual. An address must be written in compliance with the United States Postal Service addressing standards. Contact information must include a valid telephone number or electronic mail address.

In order to obtain publicly available records, please re-submit your request at:
Form Center • Freedom of Information Act Request and include the statutorily-required information.

Sincerely,

[Melissa Sullivan]

We also would reply to the email advising them that we are unable to process the request without the address and offer the link to our FOIA request form. If they do not re-submit within a few days, we formally send a denial citing the MCL prior to the 5 days expiring.

[Amanda Zant]

Great question! We would process it, as we accept email or mail addresses. What about someone who is homeless? We process any request as long as they adequately described the records they are seeking in writing and we have contact information via mail or email. The law says “address” so we translate that into email or physical mailing address.

[Dawn Rice]

We do the same as Amanda. As long as I can contact them and/or have a place to send the record, we accept the request.

[LeeAnn Witherspoon]

We get dozens of requests that do not include addresses. Most are from “media” video producers who want bits of body cam to show on their youtube channel or similar.
If the request comes from one of these type of requestors (often with no other info, either — just a first name), we deny it outright.
If the request is more specific, and we can surmise that it is a more legitimate request (for example, there is a full name and a phone number), we will reach out via email to request the missing information. If the requestor responds within the five day window we continue on. If they do not respond with the five day window we deny it.

LeeAnn Witherspoon
City of Warren PD Records

[Raeann Santos]

Here’s what I located on MI’s legislature website under MCL SECTION 15.233 Act 442 of 1976 (Freedom of Information Act) (1): A request from a person, other than an individual who qualifies as indigent under section 4(2)(a), must include the requesting person’s complete name, address, and contact information, and, if the request is made by a person other than an individual, the complete name, address, and contact information of the person’s agent who is an individual. An address must be written in compliance with United States Postal Service addressing standards. Contact information must include a valid telephone number or electronic mail address. A person has a right to subscribe to future issuances of public records that are created, issued, or disseminated on a regular basis. A subscription is valid for up to 6 months, at the request of the subscriber, and is renewable. An employee of a public body who receives a request for a public record shall promptly forward that request to the freedom of information act coordinator.

Link: click here

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