Application for Public Access to Records

The Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) allows an individual to request existing public records from the agency responsible for maintaining those records. The City of Elmira has a designated Records Management Officer that is responsible for accepting and responding to FOIL requests.

To make a request for existing public records, please complete the electronic form or complete the hard copy form at the bottom of the page and return it to the City Clerk's Office at City Hall . If the records exist in an electronic format, you will be provided with the records requested in an electronic format unless otherwise requested below. If the records do not exist in an electronic format, the Records Management Officer will contact you to inform you how you can obtain a copy of the requested records and the fee for those copies or where you can inspect the records without charge. If the document exists in both electronic and hard copy, the City reserves the right to determine in which format the records will be made available.

When you submit this form, FOIL allows the City five (5) business days to make the record available, deny access to the record with reason, or acknowledge receipt of your request and inform you of the timeframe required to respond to your request.

To read the complete FOI Law, please click here.

To request police records, criminal records, or accident reports, you must submit a hard copy request to the Elmira Police Department Records Bureau. Please click here for more information.

To the Records Management Officer:


I hereby apply to inspect the following specific record:

  Please limit to 1500 characters

Enter a subject for your request:

Your Name:

Your Address:

Email Address:

Preferred Format:

DISCLAIMER: READ BEFORE SUBMITTING

  • The City of Elmira will reply to all requests within 5 business days. You must whitelist or allow the email address of the Records Management Officer to ensure that you receive the response. You will receive a dated copy of the request to the email address you provide above.
  • The City of Elmira is not responsible if you provide an incorrect, non-working, or invalid email address. The City of Elmira will take no further action if the response to your email address bounces.
  • Your email account must be capable of accepting files up to 10mb in size. The City of Elmira will not provide electronic records over 10mb in size through email. If the records are over 10mb in size, you will have the option to obtain a hard copy, if available, or a CD-ROM disc with the files at your cost per copy or per disc.
  • I certify that I am the individual above and that any false representation of myself as another person is a crime.
  • I certify that I will not modify the records I receive in any manner.
  • The City of Elmira is under no obligation to create records to fulfill your request. If the information you have requested exists in a database but there is no report available to obtain that information, the FOI Law does not require the City of Elmira to create a report to suit your request. Additionally, if the information requested is currently available in any manner on the City’s website, you will be directed to the location on the City’s website where the information appears.
  • For your protection and security your IP Address will be recorded.
  • Current fees are $0.25 per printed page or $1.00 per CD-Rom.

Do you agree to the conditions to submit a FOIL Request electronically?

Please confirm your email address:

   »Download a hard copy FOIL Request Form