Skip to main content
Methodology — Public Records Research
1. Agency mapping
Identify custodian, component, and record system (email vs. shared drive vs. database export). Wrong agency = months lost.
2. Request narrowing
Date range + subject + form numbers or contract IDs reduce exemptions and fees.
3. Tracking matrix
| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| Request ID | Agency tracking number |
| Submitted | Date |
| Due | Statutory deadline |
| Status | Ack / partial / denied |
| Appeal deadline | If applicable |
4. Release processing
Virus-scan → redact third-party PII where publishing → hash files → upload to DocumentCloud-class host if publishing.
5. Combine with litigation
FOIA + docket + deposition excerpts — only when public or properly obtained.
Related skills
public-records-research-specialist, legal-research-specialist