RIVEROS CORP NETWORK | Apostille de la Haya · Notary Public Center · Compliance Officers · USJurisdiction
RIVEROS CORP NETWORK | Apostille de la Haya · Notary Public Center · Compliance Officers · USJurisdiction
We prepare and file public records requests with Florida agencies, counties such as Miami-Dade, cities and courts, and with other states under the law that applies, then follow up with the records custodian. Miami office, English and Spanish, no travel needed.
The federal FOIA covers executive branch agencies only. It does not apply to state or local governments. States have their own public records laws. We have checked those of Texas, California, New York, Virginia and Illinois, and each has its own name, deadlines and requirements.
In Florida, the Constitution gives every person the right to inspect or copy public records of the three branches of state government and of counties, municipalities and districts, except records exempted by law or made confidential. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes puts that into practice: state, county and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person.
It was filed under federal law, which does not reach the county.
You are not sure they are allowed to ask.
Weeks go by and nobody confirms the request arrived.
And no explanation.
Nobody has said whether courts follow the same rules as agencies.
You live elsewhere and do not know whether that state will answer.
What we do: We file under the state's own law: in Florida, Chapter 119.
What we do: In Florida, a custodian cannot require a written request, a stated purpose or your name, unless a statute requires the custodian to ask.
What we do: The custodian must acknowledge requests promptly and respond in good faith; we follow up on exactly that.
What we do: The custodian must redact only the exempt part, release the rest and state the legal basis for the exemption. We ask for it.
What we do: Judicial branch records follow Rule 2.420, and there the request is made in writing.
What we do: We check that state's law first. Virginia, for example, grants access to its citizens.
And which state, county, city or court holds it.
The agency, county or court that keeps that record.
Chapter 119 for Florida agencies, Rule 2.420 for Florida courts, and, elsewhere, that state's public records statute, such as the Texas Public Information Act or New York's Freedom of Information Law.
For Miami-Dade, through its public records request portal.
And tell you about every response.
If lines are redacted, we ask for the legal basis of the exemption.
The full text is in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes.
Records of Florida’s judicial branch are governed by Rule 2.420 of the Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, not by Chapter 119. The request goes in writing to the custodian, specific enough to identify the records, and you do not have to state a reason.
Florida counties and cities are bound by Chapter 119. Miami-Dade County, for example, has an official requests page with an online portal to submit and track requests, and it states that you do not have to give your name, explain why, or make the request in writing.
| State | Law | One useful detail |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | Public Information Act, Tex. Gov’t Code ch. 552 | The government body may not ask how the information will be used. |
| California | California Public Records Act, Gov. Code §7920.000 et seq. | Access cannot be limited by purpose, and the agency decides within 10 days whether the records are disclosable. |
| New York | Freedom of Information Law, Public Officers Law art. 6 | Within 5 business days of a written request, the agency releases, denies in writing or acknowledges with an approximate date. |
| Virginia | Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Va. Code §2.2-3700 et seq. | The right of access belongs to Virginia citizens and certain media representatives. |
| Illinois | Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140 | No reply within 5 business days counts as a denial. |
In McBurney v. Young (2013), the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Virginia’s citizens-only access rule.
FOIA does not cover the federal courts either. Their case files are available through PACER or at the clerk’s office of the court where the case was filed.
175 SW 7th ST, Suite 1905, in Miami-Dade County. Come in, or do everything remotely.
For clients, families and teams who prefer to work in Spanish.
If you also need federal records, we file the FOIA request through our FOIA requests service.
Before filing, we confirm which statute governs the custodian and what it can and cannot ask of you.
Riveros Corp was founded by Zulma E. Bourelly, a Florida Notary Public, County Court Mediator and ACAMS-certified CAMS.
Paralegals, consultants and law firms can hand us public records requests. In Florida, a custodian cannot require your name or reason unless a statute requires it; for Florida court records, the request is made in writing.
No. FOIA applies to federal agencies only. Florida agencies answer under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes.
In Florida, no, unless a statute requires the custodian to ask. A written request cannot be required either.
The law requires the custodian to acknowledge requests promptly and respond in good faith. We cannot promise when a custodian will respond.
The fee set by statute or the actual cost of duplication, plus a possible special service charge when a request needs extensive resources.
In writing, to the custodian, under Rule 2.420. You do not have to state a reason.
Through PACER or the court clerk’s office. FOIA does not cover federal courts.
It depends on the state. Virginia, for example, grants access to its citizens, and the Supreme Court upheld that rule.
The custodian must redact only the exempt part, release the rest and state the legal basis for the exemption.
Yes. Miami-Dade has an online portal to submit and track public records requests.
We review the response with you. Chapter 119 provides a civil action, but bringing it is a matter for a licensed attorney.
Message us on WhatsApp, call +1 305 647 3000 or visit our Miami office. We’ll tell you which law applies and who holds the record.
Email: [email protected] · 175 SW 7th ST, Suite 1905, Miami FL 33130
how FOIA works and which federal agency holds which record.
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