Public Records Request

There is an update to Alabama law regarding public records. Effective October 1, 2024, access to public records is a right granted to “Residents” of the State of Alabama. A “Resident” is defined by §36-12-43(b)(3), Code of Alabama, as “An individual who is permanently domiciled in Alabama with an expectation to remain in Alabama as demonstrated by reasonable proof of residency such as, but not limited to, an Alabama driver license or voter registration.”

Public records requests should be signed by the requestor certifying that he or she is an Alabama resident having a right to make a request for public records pursuant to Alabama law, and copies of valid identification with proof of permanent residence should be provided. 

Palmerdale Fire District Public Records Written Procedures

According to Alabama law, access to public records is a right for residents of Alabama.

There are four areas of criteria that Alabama law requires for a public record request: 

  • It must be a specific record and not vague, ambiguous, overly broad, or unreasonable in scope.

  • It must be an existing record and not one that has to be created.

  • It must be a public record.

  • It must be within the Fire Districts written procedures.

The Public Records Request Form can be found here.

This is the only form that will be used for public records requests. Any other form will not be accepted.

Request for Public Records Form

Those seeking public records must complete the form and mail it or bring it to the Office of the Fire Chief or the Executive Administrator in person.

The address is 5340 Miles Springs Rd, Pinson, AL 35126 .

All requests must be accompanied by proof of Alabama residency. No exceptions. A list of acceptable proof of residency is located below.

 

Timeframe

The District will acknowledge receipt of a proper request within 10 days and provide a response fulfilling or denying a proper request within 15 business days of acknowledging receipt. The District may extend this period in 15-business-day increments upon written notice to the requester.

See Alabama law recommendations regarding correspondence denials below.


Please Note

If the District seeks clarification or additional information regarding a public records request, the timelines will restart once the requested clarification or additional information is received.

Acceptable Proof of Alabama Residency

Proof of Alabama Residency for public records requests may include the following:

  • Valid Driver's License (not expired or has been expired less than 60 days)

  • Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Digital Driver's License

  • Valid Non-driver ID (not expired or has been expired less than 60 days)

  • Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Digital Non-driver ID

  • Valid Alabama Photo Voter ID

  • Valid AL Department of Corrections Release- Temporary ID (Photo Required)

  • Valid AL Movement/Booking Sheet from Prison/Jail System (Photo Required)

  • Valid Pistol Permit (Photo Required)

  • Valid Federal Issued ID

  • Valid US Passport

  • Valid Employee ID from Federal Government, State of Alabama, County Government, Municipality, Board, Authority, or other entity of this state

  • Valid student or employee ID from a college or university in the State of Alabama (including postgraduate technical or professional schools)

  • Valid Military ID

  • Valid Tribal ID

  • Or other valid ID with a copy of a power or water bill

Alabama Law Recommendations Regarding Correspondence Denials

There shall be a rebuttable presumption that a proper request has been denied by the public agency or official if:

  • A substantive response is not provided to the standard request within the earlier of 30 business days or 50 calendar days following acknowledgment of receipt by the public officer; or

  • The public records are not produced within the earlier of 30 business days or 60 calendar days following payment of the estimated fees to the public officer.

 

There shall be no presumption that a proper request has been denied if:

  • The request is not proper or the public officer is not obligated or required to respond as provided in the Open Records Law.

  • The public officer has responded in part;

  • The public officer and requester have reached an agreement regarding the time or substance, or both, of the response;

  • Negotiations are ongoing between the public officer and the requester; or

  • The public officer has reasonably communicated the status of the request to the requester.