Public Records at the University of Arizona
As a public institution, the University of Arizona complies with the Arizona Public Records Law (A.R.S. § 39-101 to -161 and A.R.S. § 15-1640), which ensures public access to government records and promotes transparency and accountability. The Office of Public Records manages and processes public records requests submitted to the university.
If you are ready to submit a request, you may do so through our secure portal.
The Office of Public Records
The Office of Public Records serves as the university’s central point of contact for most public records requests. The office coordinates with colleges, departments, and administrative units to locate, review, and release responsive records in accordance with state law.
Office of Public Records
1401 E. University Blvd., Suite 313
Tucson, AZ 85721
Phone: 520-621-1986
Fax: 520-626-2228
publicrecords@arizona.edu
For active requests, communication through the NextRequest portal is the preferred method, as it centralizes messages, invoices, and released records in one place.
Before You Submit a Request
Some university records are managed by other offices. Please review the categories below to ensure your request is directed appropriately:
- University of Arizona Police Department (UAPD) records
- Employment verification and employee personnel records
- Student transcripts or directory information
- Students seeking their own disciplinary records
- University data (core reporting areas: Student, Employee, Finance, Research)
If your request does not fall into one of these categories, the Office of Public Records is likely the appropriate point of contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Arizona law does not provide a single statutory definition of “public record.” The university interprets public records to include materials created or received by a public body or public officer in the course of conducting public business, or materials that relate to public business.
Providing specific information helps expedite processing. Helpful details may include:
- Relevant date range
- Subject matter
- Search terms
- Names or email addresses of university employees who may possess the records
- Names, email addresses, or domains of non-university individuals involved
Clear and focused requests allow for a more efficient search. If additional clarification is needed, staff will follow up.
Yes. Fees vary depending on whether the request is commercial or non-commercial.
Non-Commercial Requests
- Copying Fees:
- First 50 pages: Free
- Electronic copies beyond 50 pages: $0.20 per page
- Black and white paper copies beyond 50 pages: $0.25 per page
- Oversize or color copies: Additional charges may apply
- Staff Time: $25.00 per hour (charged in quarter-hour increments) for document preparation
Commercial Requests
In addition to copying fees, commercial requests may include:
- A portion of the university’s cost to obtain the records
- Reasonable fees for equipment and personnel
- The market value of the records
After review, a preliminary estimate will be provided. Final payment is required before records are released.
Under A.R.S. § 39-121.03(D), “commercial purpose” includes the use of a public record for:
- Sale or resale
- Producing a document for sale
- Obtaining names and addresses for solicitation
- Any purpose in which monetary gain can reasonably be anticipated
Requestors are required by law (A.R.S. § 39-121.03(C)) to indicate whether a request is for a commercial purpose. Failure to disclose said information could potentially result in penalties and damages as defined in the aforementioned statute.
While requests are not required to be in writing, submitting a written request is strongly recommended.
Preferred Method: NextRequest Portal
All requests are processed through the university’s NextRequest system.
After submission, you will receive a confirmation email and may create an account (recommended) to:
- Communicate directly with staff
- Receive invoices
- Submit payments
- Access released records
You may also submit requests via:
Mail: Office of Public Records, PO Box 210158, Tucson, AZ 85721-0158
Phone: 520-621-1986
Fax: 520-626-2228
Yes. Certain records may be exempt from disclosure under state or federal law. Examples include:
- Student records (with limited exceptions for certain directory information, student educational records are exempt from disclosure under federal and state law)
- Certain research records
- Certain donor information
- Personnel records (as provided under ABOR 6-912 and HR-403)
- Records where disclosure would constitute an invasion of personal privacy
- Records where disclosure would be detrimental to the best interests of the state
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, exempt portions will be redacted. Redactions may extend processing time.
University offices or departments should promptly forward any potential public records request to: publicrecords@arizona.edu. The Office of Public Records will coordinate next steps.
No. The university is required to provide access to existing public records but is not obligated to create new documents in response to a request.