How to Get Information from City Government
Public Record:
includes, but is not limited to, any writing containing information relating to the conduct or administration of the public's business prepared, owned, used or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics. (Idaho Code 9-337(10)
Writing:
includes, but is not limited to, handwriting, typewriting, printing, photo stating, photographing, and every means of recording, including letters, words, pictures, sounds or symbols or combination thereof, and all papers, maps, magnetic or paper tapes, photographic films and prints, magnetic or punched cards, discs, drums and other documents. (Idaho Code 9-337(12))
Note:
If a request is made for an item that is not a "Public Record", the Idaho Public Records Act may not be applicable. The staff of the City Clerk's office will do whatever is necessary to ensure that all requests are screened to ensure only "Public Records" are accessed.
Person:
means any natural person, corporation, partnership, firm, association, joint venture, state or local agency or any other recognized legal entity.
Your Right to Public Information
Every person has a right to examine and take a copy of any public record of this city; there is a presumption that all public records in Boise are open at all reasonable times for inspection except as otherwise expressly provided by statute.
Public Records Requests
All Requests can be made directly to the City Department responsible for the record. If you do not know which department is responsible for the record, you can submit the request directly to the Office of the City Clerk. First, click on the Public Request Form link and fill it out. Then transmit it to our office by one of the following methods:
- A Request by Letter may be made by sending a completed and signed Public Records Request Form to: Office of the City Clerk, P.O. Box 500, Boise, ID 83701 Attn: Public Records Request
- A Request by Fax may be made by faxing a completed and signed Public Records Request Form to: 208-384-3711.
- A Request in Person may be made by stopping by City Hall and dropping off a completed and signed Public Records Request Form to the City Clerk's Staff.
- A Police Department Records Request may be made by contacting the Boise City Police Department at (208) 577-3812 or 577-3820. Police Department requests can not be requested at the City Clerk's Office.
Note: The Office of the City Clerk does not keep records on Marriages, Divorces, Births, Deaths, Land Titles or Deeds, Business Names, or Court Cases. These records are kept with either the Ada County Recorders Office or the Bureau of Vital Statistics.
In order to best serve the public, all requests to examine or copy public records MUST BE MADE IN WRITING. We will respond to your request within three business days after receiving it in our office. Please sign all forms transmitted by Fax, Regular Mail, or in Person.
There can be costs associated with the gathering and reproducing of records. The customer must pay the appropriate cost to the City Clerk's office before the records are distributed. if you have questions concerning the costs involved, please ask a member of the City Clerk's Staff prior to submitting your request.
Note: Records released pursuant to this request are not warranted as to completeness or accuracy. The information provided represents the disclosable information pursuant to Idaho Code Title 9, Chapter 3, and Boise City Code 1-6-11. Additional records from other sources may present a more accurate representation of a given situation.