Public records

Public records in Arkansas

Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Statute: Ark. Code Ann. 25-19-101 and following.

Residents only: Arkansas only grants public records rights to its residents. Include the residency statement below or the agency may legally refuse your request.

Arkansas FOIA rights belong to Arkansas citizens. State in your request that you are an Arkansas resident.

Public records law in Arkansas

Law: Arkansas Freedom of Information Act
Citation: Ark. Code Ann. 25-19-101 and following
Response deadline: Records must be open for inspection during regular business hours. If they are in active use or storage, the custodian must certify that in writing and set a date and time within 3 working days when they will be available (Ark. Code Ann. 25-19-105(e)). IMPORTANT: the Act grants rights to citizens of Arkansas (Ark. Code Ann. 25-19-105(a)).

Write a records request letter

Generate a ready-to-send request to any Arkansas police department.

Open the Arkansas request letter generator

Request specific records in Arkansas

Guides

Guides coming soon.

Police departments and incidents in Arkansas