Michigan FOIA Toolkit

October 6, 2026

The Law

Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231 et seq.

Every person has the right to inspect, copy, or receive copies of public records held by Michigan state and local government bodies. That right does not depend on who you are, why you are asking, or whether the agency is comfortable with disclosure.

FOIA applies to:

State agencies and departments
County and local governments
School boards
Public boards, commissions, and councils
Public colleges and universities

How to File

Step 1: Identify the Agency and FOIA Coordinator

Every public body is required to designate a FOIA Coordinator. Check the agency’s website or call their main office.

Step 2: Write a Specific Request

A vague request invites delay. Be specific:

❌ Vague	✅ Specific
“Everything about the budget”	“The superintendent’s contract, including any amendments, from July 2024 to present”
“All emails about this case”	“All email correspondence between [Name] and [Name] between September 1, 2025 and November 30, 2025 regarding Case No. [number]”
“Records about the shooting”	“The Michigan State Police investigative report for the October 28, 2024 shooting in Hope Township, including the IRT roster, witness statements, and scene photographs”

Step 3: Use This Template

[Your Full Name]
[Your Mailing Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Date]

[FOIA Coordinator Name]
[Agency Name]
[Agency Address]

Re: Freedom of Information Act Request

Dear FOIA Coordinator:

Pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231 et seq.,
I request copies of the following public records:

1. [SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION — include date ranges, names, case numbers,
   document types]

2. [ADDITIONAL RECORDS if applicable]

I request a fee waiver or reduction under MCL 15.234(1), as disclosure
of this information is in the public interest and contributes
significantly to public understanding of government operations.

If any portion of this request is denied, I request that you identify
the specific exemption(s) relied upon for each withheld record and
provide all reasonably segregable non-exempt portions, as required by
MCL 15.244(1).

Please respond within the five-business-day period required by
MCL 15.235(2). If you require an extension, please provide written
notice stating the reason as required by statute.

Sincerely,

[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]

Step 4: Send It Right

Method	Notes
Certified mail with return receipt (recommended)	USPS Form 3800. Proves delivery date. The 5-day clock starts on receipt.
Email	If the agency accepts email requests. Treated as received one business day after sent (MCL 15.235).
Hand delivery	Get a date-stamped receipt.

Keep copies of everything.

The Clock

Deadline	What Happens
5 business days from receipt	Agency must: grant, deny, partially deny, or take a one-time extension (MCL 15.235)
+10 business days (extension)	One extension allowed. Must state reason in writing.
After final denial	You can appeal to the agency head OR file a circuit court lawsuit within 180 days (MCL 15.240)

You can go straight to circuit court — you do NOT have to exhaust the internal appeal first.

Common Exemptions They Use

Exemption	What They Claim	How to Challenge
MCL 15.243(1)(b)(iii)	“Law enforcement investigation”	Ask whether the investigation is still active. Closed investigations lose this protection. Ask for segregable non-exempt portions.
MCL 15.243(1)(a)	“Information of a personal nature”	The public-interest balancing test applies. If the person is a public official acting in their official capacity, the balance favors disclosure.
MCL 15.243(1)(g)	“Attorney-client privilege”	Challenge if the communication was between government employees doing government work, not actual legal advice.
“Too broad”	Not a valid exemption	Agencies cannot deny a request solely because it is broad. They must help narrow it or grant what they can identify.

When They Stonewall

If the agency ignores you, partially denies without citing exemptions, or charges unreasonable fees:

Appeal to the agency head — written, within 180 days of denial
File in circuit court — within 180 days of the final determination. You can go straight here.
If you win, the court may order disclosure, reduce or eliminate fees, and require the agency to pay your attorneys’ fees and costs

Pre-Written FOIA Requests for Common Investigations

School Board Records

All contracts, amendments, and memoranda of understanding between [DISTRICT NAME] and any charter school authorizer, management company, or educational service provider, from January 1, 2020 to present.

Prosecutor Disclosure Records

All Brady, Giglio, and impeachment disclosure logs maintained by the [COUNTY] Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for cases in which [OFFICER/DETECTIVE NAME] served as an investigating officer, affiant, or witness, from January 1, 2015 to present.

Law Enforcement Shooting Records

The Michigan State Police investigative report, including the Investigative Response Team roster, supplemental reports, witness statements, scene photographs, body/dash camera footage, radio traffic recordings, and the prosecutor’s justification determination, for the [DATE] shooting at [LOCATION] in [TOWNSHIP/CITY], [COUNTY] County.

Campaign Finance

All Statements of Organization, campaign finance filings, and amendments filed with the [COUNTY] Clerk by [COMMITTEE NAME] or any committee associated with [CANDIDATE NAME], from January 1, 2018 to present.

Court Personnel and Appointment Records

The administrative order or appointment document for [NAME] as [POSITION] of the [NUMBER] District Court, including any governing-body approval, residency documentation, and subsequent amendments.

Online Generator

Clutch Justice built a free FOIA request generator at clutchjustice.com/michigan-foia-generator. Enter your name, address, the agency, and what you want — it produces a formatted letter citing Michigan law, ready to print and send.

Sources

Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231–15.246
Clutch Justice, FOIA and Your Michigan School Board, Sep 23, 2026
Clutch Justice, Field Kit