How to Write a Michigan FOIA Request
Draft a focused Michigan FOIA request that identifies existing records clearly, limits unnecessary cost, and preserves a useful record of submission.
Read the guide →Michigan FOIA Knowledge Center
Find the record. Understand the rule. Make a better request.
A practical, source-linked library for journalists, residents, researchers, businesses, and public employees navigating Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act.
Built from recurring FOIA problems
FOIAWORKS was conceived by a Michigan FOIA attorney who saw public bodies repeatedly violate the Act—and requesters make requests that were too unclear to reliably locate the records. This guide addresses both problems with practical drafting help and direct links to primary legal authority.
Make a strong request
Michigan FOIA Request Templates and Drafting Examples
Practical Michigan FOIA language for general records, email, contracts, police video, databases, rolling production, fees, and appeals.
Read the guide →Who Is Subject to Michigan FOIA?
Identify Michigan state agencies, counties, cities, townships, schools, universities, authorities, courts, and other bodies subject to public-records law.
Read the guide →What Is a Public Record Under Michigan FOIA?
Understand Michigan’s public-record definition, official-function requirement, possession and use, electronic communications, drafts, contractors, and existing records.
Read the guide →Understand the process
Michigan FOIA Deadlines and Extensions
Understand Michigan FOIA response periods, extensions, production timing, deposits, denials, and the difference between a response and actual delivery.
Read the guide →Michigan FOIA Fees, Deposits, and Itemized Estimates
Learn what Michigan public bodies may charge for FOIA labor, copying, mailing, electronic production, and deposits—and how to evaluate an estimate.
Read the guide →Michigan FOIA Exemptions Explained
A Michigan-specific guide to privacy, law-enforcement, attorney-client, advisory, security, personnel, commercial, and statutory exemptions.
Read the guide →Michigan FOIA Denials, Redactions, and “No Records” Responses
Evaluate a Michigan FOIA denial, partial denial, redaction explanation, or certification that requested records do not exist.
Read the guide →How to Appeal a Michigan FOIA Denial or Fee
Prepare a Michigan FOIA administrative appeal that identifies the denial, states the reasons for reversal, and preserves the record.
Read the guide →Michigan FOIA Lawsuits: Courts, Remedies, Fees, and Timing
An educational overview of Michigan FOIA disclosure actions, fee challenges, venue, burdens, attorney fees, damages, and limitations periods.
Read the guide →Michigan FOIA Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers to common Michigan FOIA questions about forms, reasons, anonymity, delays, fees, broad requests, redactions, text messages, and appeals.
Read the guide →Police and emergency records
How to Request Police Reports in Michigan
Request Michigan incident reports, supplements, photographs, witness statements, investigation records, and related police materials.
Read the guide →How to Request Police Body-Camera Footage in Michigan
A Michigan-specific body-camera request guide covering the Body-Worn Camera Privacy Act, private places, retention, fees, redaction, and policies.
Read the guide →How to Request Dash-Camera and Patrol-Car Video in Michigan
Request Michigan police dash-camera video, in-car audio, metadata, activation logs, and retention policies without confusing it with body-camera law.
Read the guide →How to Request 911 Calls, Dispatch Audio, and CAD Records in Michigan
Request Michigan 911 recordings, CAD reports, dispatch logs, radio traffic, timestamps, unit histories, and related emergency communications.
Read the guide →Michigan Police Internal-Affairs and Misconduct Records
Request citizen complaints, internal-affairs investigations, discipline, findings, policies, and aggregate police-misconduct records in Michigan.
Read the guide →How to Request Police Use-of-Force Records in Michigan
Request use-of-force reports, supervisor reviews, video, Taser logs, firearm records, policies, training, and aggregate data from Michigan agencies.
Read the guide →Michigan Traffic Crash Reports: FOIA or Direct Purchase?
Learn when to use Michigan’s Traffic Crash Purchasing System and when related crash records require a focused public-records request.
Read the guide →Government operations and data
How to Request Government Emails and Text Messages in Michigan
Draft focused Michigan FOIA requests for official emails, attachments, text messages, messaging platforms, metadata, and communications on personal devices.
Read the guide →Michigan Government Contracts, Bids, Invoices, and Payments
Request Michigan public contracts, amendments, bids, scoring records, statements of work, invoices, purchase orders, and vendor payments.
Read the guide →How to Request Michigan Public Employee Salaries and Payroll
Request government salaries, payroll exports, overtime, benefits, expense reimbursements, contracts, and severance payments in Michigan.
Read the guide →How to Request Michigan Government Databases and Electronic Data
Request existing Michigan government data in CSV, spreadsheet, GIS, database-export, or other useful electronic formats without demanding creation of a new record.
Read the guide →Michigan Zoning and Code-Enforcement Records
Request zoning complaints, inspections, photographs, enforcement histories, official communications, and comparator-property records in Michigan.
Read the guide →Michigan Meeting Packets, Minutes, Recordings, and Board Communications
Request agendas, minutes, meeting packets, recordings, presentations, board communications, and supporting records from Michigan public bodies.
Read the guide →Michigan Property Assessment and Assessor Records
Request property cards, assessor photographs, measurements, field notes, inspection histories, comparable sales, and valuation records in Michigan.
Read the guide →From learning to doing