All requests for public records must be submitted using the accompanying online or print form. The Requestor must fill out each portion that is applicable to the request made. The fully completed form shall be submitted to the Custodian of Records:

The print version of the form may be mailed or dropped off in person to the Custodian of Records at the above address or faxed to (908) 231-8754. The online version will be sent electronically to the Custodian of Records once the "submit" button is clicked.

Please note, however, the online form is an abbreviated version of the official notice. In some cases you will be asked to also fill out the official form.

Questions about the Public Records Request Form prior to submission may be directed to the Custodian of Records by phone at (908) 231-7030 or via e-mail at recordsrequest@co.somerset.nj.us.

Public records will normally be available in accordance with P.L. 2001, c. 404, within seven (7) business days. Some records will be immediately available. In general:

 

1. Immediate access ordinarily shall be granted to budgets, certain bills, vouchers, contracts, including collective negotiations and individual employment contracts, and public employee salary and overtime information. Minutes of public meetings will be generally available immediately after the minutes have been approved by the Board of Chosen Freeholders.

    

2. Records which are not readily available or which will require a search of records will be made available as soon as possible and the Requestor will be provided with an interim report within seven (7) business days indicating the amount of time which will be required to complete the search of the records.

    

3. Except as otherwise provided by law or regulation, the fee assessed for the duplication of a printed record shall be: first page to tenth page, $0.75 per page; eleventh page to twentieth page, $0.50 per page; all pages over twenty, $0.25 per page/

    

4. Where a request is for a copy in a format other than a photocopy, reasonable efforts will be made to provide the information in the format requested. There will be an additional charge based on the costs involved in providing the copy in the format requested.

    

5. Where a legal determination must be made as to whether the records are "public records" as provided by law, the request will be reviewed by County Counsel and will be generally provided immediately after the Custodian of Records receives the determination from the County Counsel or a Court that the records should be provided.

    

6. There is no fee for inspecting a public record during normal business hours.

Any person who is denied, in whole or in part, access to any record he or she requests, may appeal the denial either through the filing of an action in Somerset County Superior Court or by filing a complaint with the New Jersey Government Records Council.