Requesting Access to Government Records Under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.)
This form should only be used to submit records requests to the Borough of Stanhope.
1. All government records are subject to public access under the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”), unless specifically
exempt.
2. A request for access to a government record under OPRA must be in writing, hand-delivered, mailed, transmitted
electronically, or otherwise conveyed to the appropriate custodian. N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5.g. The seven (7) business day
response time does not commence until the records custodian receives the request form. If you submit the request
form to any other officer or employee of the Borough of Stanhope, that officer or employee must either forward the
request to the appropriate custodian, or direct you to the appropriate custodian. N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5.h. Walk-In OPRA
requests to examine or inspect government records will be honored Monday through Thursday, 1:30P.M. to 3:00P.M.,
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5.a.
3. Requestors may submit requests anonymously. If you elect not to provide a name, address, or telephone number, or
other means of contact, the custodian is not required to respond until you reappear before the custodian seeking a
response to the original request.
4. The fees for duplication of a government record in printed form are listed on the front of this form. We will notify you of
any special service charges or other additional charges authorized by State law or regulation before processing your
request. Payment shall be made by cash, check or money order payable to the Borough of Stanhope.
5. You may be charged a 50% or other deposit when a request for copies exceeds $25. The Borough of Stanhope
custodian will contact you and advise you of any deposit requirements. You agree to pay the balance due upon delivery
of the records. Anonymous requests in excess of $5.00 require a deposit of 100% of estimated fees.
6. Under OPRA, a custodian must deny access to a person who has been convicted of an indictable offense in New
Jersey, any other state, or the United States, and who is seeking government records containing personal information
pertaining to the person’s victim or the victim’s family. This includes anonymous requests for said information.
7. By law, the Borough of Stanhope must notify you that it grants or denies a request for access to government records
within seven (7) business days after the agency custodian of records receives the request. If the record requested is
not currently available or is in storage, the custodian will advise you within seven (7) business days after receipt of the
request when the record can be made available and the estimated cost for reproduction.
8. You may be denied access to a government record if your request would substantially disrupt agency operations and
the custodian is unable to reach a reasonable solution with you.
9. If the Borough of Stanhope is unable to comply with your request for access to a government record, the custodian will
indicate the reasons for denial on the request form or other written correspondence and send you a signed and dated
copy.
10. Except as otherwise provided by law or by agreement with the requester, if the agency custodian of records fails to
respond to you within seven (7) business days of receiving a request, the failure to respond is a deemed denial of your
request.
11. If your request for access to a government record has been denied or unfilled within the seven (7) business days
required by law, you have a right to challenge the decision by the Borough of Stanhope to deny access. At your
option, you may either institute a proceeding in the Superior Court of New Jersey or file a complaint with the
Government Records Council (“GRC”) by completing the Denial of Access Complaint Form. You may contact the GRC
by toll-free telephone at 866-850-0511, by mail at PO Box 819, Trenton, NJ, 08625, by e-mail at grc@dca.state.nj.us, or
at their web site at www.state.nj.us/grc. The Council can also answer other questions about the law. All questions
regarding complaints filed in Superior Court should be directed to the Court Clerk in your County.
12. Information provided on this form may be subject to disclosure under the Open Public Records Act.
DEPOSITS
The custodian may require a deposit against costs for reproducing documents sought through an anonymous request whenever
the custodian anticipates that the documents requested will cost in excess of $5 to reproduce.
Where a special service charge is warranted under OPRA, that amount will be communicated to you as required under the
statute. You have the opportunity to review and object to the charge prior to it being incurred. If, however, you approve of the
fact and amount of the special service charge, you may be required to pay a deposit or pay in full prior to reproduction of the
documents.
