Submit a Public Records Act (PRA) Request

Step 1.Building your request

To enable staff to respond to your request as efficiently as possible, please include:

• The date range for the records
• The department that holds the records (if known)
• The types of records, including any important keywords
• Please do not include any confidential information

Step 2.Frequently requested documents

Use these links to see if the document you are requesting can be accessed instantly:

• Agendas and Minutes
• Municipal Code, Ordinances, and Resolutions
• City Budgets

Step 3.Fill out the online application

Enter your request and attach any supporting documents using our convenient online portal.

Submit a Request for Public Records

Submit a Request for Police Records

Step 4.We will contact you

Your Public Records Request will be forwarded to the appropriate department and you will be sent a confirmation e-mail. Pursuant to Government Code Sections 6250 to 6270, the typical timeline for the City to make a determination of available records is ten (10) calendar days from the date of receipt of the request. However, under certain circumstances, the City may exercise its right to extend this timeline for up to an additional fourteen (14) days.

Step 1.Building your request

To enable staff to respond to your request as efficiently as possible, please include:

• The date range for the records
• The department that holds the records (if known)
• The types of records, including any important keywords
• Please do not include any confidential information

Step 2.Frequently requested documents

Use these links to see if the document you are requesting can be accessed instantly:

• Agendas and Minutes
• Municipal Code, Ordinances, and Resolutions
• City Budgets

Step 3.Email the City Clerk’s Office

Public Records Requests are submitted to the City Clerk's office. Please email your request, along with your contact information, to City.Clerk@cityofpaloalto.org.

For Police records please email your request to pd@cityofpaloalto.org.

Step 4.We will contact you

Your Public Records Request will be forwarded to the appropriate department and you will be sent a confirmation e-mail. Pursuant to Government Code Sections 6250 to 6270, the typical timeline for the City to make a determination of available records is ten (10) calendar days from the date of receipt of the request. However, under certain circumstances, the City may exercise its right to extend this timeline for up to an additional fourteen (14) days.

Step 1.Building your request

To enable staff to respond to your request as efficiently as possible, please include:

• The date range for the records
• The department that holds the records (if known)
• The types of records, including any important keywords
• Please do not include any confidential information

Step 2.Frequently requested documents

Use these links to see if the document you are requesting can be accessed instantly:

• Agendas and Minutes
• Municipal Code, Ordinances, and Resolutions
• City Budgets

Step 3. Mail in your Public Records Request

Completed requests must be mailed to the City Clerk's office. Please send your request, along with your contact information to:
Office of the City Clerk: City Hall, 7th Floor
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301

For Police records, please mail your request to:
Palo Alto Police Department Records Unit
275 Forest Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301

Step 4.We will contact you

Your Public Records Request will be forwarded to the appropriate department. You will be contacted regarding your method of delivery. Please be aware that there may be fees incurred for the duplication of records. The City will provide the records electronically whenever possible. Pursuant to Government Code Sections 6250 to 6270, the typical timeline for the City to make a determination of available records is ten (10) calendar days from the date of receipt of the request. However, under certain circumstances, the City may exercise its right to extend this timeline for up to an additional fourteen (14) days.

Step 1.Building your request

To enable staff to respond to your request as efficiently as possible, please include:

• The date range for the records
• The department that holds the records (if known)
• The types of records, including any important keywords
• Please do not include any confidential information

Step 2.Frequently requested documents

Use these links to see if the document you are requesting can be accessed instantly:

• Agendas and Minutes
• Municipal Code, Ordinances, and Resolutions
• City Budgets

Step 3.Call the Clerk's Office

Please have your request ready and call the City Clerk’s Office at (650) 329-2571.

For Police records please call the Police Records Unit at (650) 329-2406.

Step 4.We will contact you

Your Public Records Request will be forwarded to the appropriate department and you will be sent a confirmation. Pursuant to Government Code Sections 6250 to 6270, the typical timeline for the City to make a determination of available records is ten (10) calendar days from the date of receipt of the request. However, under certain circumstances, the City may exercise its right to extend this timeline for up to an additional fourteen (14) days.

Step 1.Building your request

To enable staff to respond to your request as efficiently as possible, please include:

• The date range for the records
• The department that holds the records (if known)
• The types of records, including any important keywords
• Please do not include any confidential information

Step 2.Frequently requested documents

Use these links to see if the document you are requesting can be accessed instantly:

• Agendas and Minutes
• Municipal Code, Ordinances, and Resolutions
• City Budgets

Step 3.Walk in your request

Completed requests must be filed with the City Clerk's office. Please go to:

Office of the City Clerk: City Hall, 7th Floor
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301

For Police records please file with the Police Records Unit, located next door to City Hall:

Palo Alto Police Department Records Unit
275 Forest Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301

Step 4.We will contact you

Your Public Records Request will be forwarded to the appropriate department and you will be sent a confirmation. Pursuant to Government Code Sections 6250 to 6270, the typical timeline for the City to make a determination of available records is ten (10) calendar days from the date of receipt of the request. However, under certain circumstances, the City may exercise its right to extend this timeline for up to an additional fourteen (14) days.