The Florida Public Records Act does not require an agency to reformat its records or provide them in a format demanded by the requestor. An agency is only required to provide the record in the standard format routinely maintained by the agency. Nor does it require the agency to create new records in response to a request.

The Florida Public Records Act does not require staff of a public agency to explain records or respond to questions, nor to create records which do not already exist. Rather, it only requires that a person who requests to inspect and/or copy existing, non-exempt records be allowed to do so within a reasonable time after the request.

All materials made or received by an agency in connection with official business which are used to perpetuate, communicate or formalize knowledge are public records. Not limited to paper and PC files, public records also include tapes, photos, films and sound recordings that are subject to inspection (unless a statutory exemption exists).

Florida’s Public Records Law, Ch. 119, F.S., provides a right of access to the records of state and local governments as well as private entities acting on their behalf. In the absence of a statutory exemption, this right of access applies to all materials made or received by an agency, in connection with the transaction of official business which are used to perpetuate, communicate or formalize knowledge.