What is OPIR?

The Office of Public Information Requests (OPIR) was established to create a more straightforward and consistent process for the Montanans to request state records. In the State’s response to public record requests, the agencies provide consistency in the production, cost, and process of providing public records.

The Montana Constitution (Art. II, sec. 9) affords the public the right to examine documents of all public bodies or agencies of the State of Montana. These requests are also known as “right to know,” “public information,” “public record,” “PIR,” but not FOIA. Freedom of Information Act is a federal right-to-know law that does not apply or control the retention or release of state records.

Department of Administration
Office of Public Information Requests
125 N. ROBERTS ST.
P.O. BOX 200101
HELENA, MT 59620-0101
publicrecords@mt.gov
INFORMATION: (406) 444-2686

The OPIR is fully committed to promoting the full participation of people with disabilities in the OPIR process and will provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities who may need further assistance. Please contact OPIR by email at publicrecords@mt.gov or by phone at (406) 444-2686 if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the OPIR process. See the Department of Administration’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Public Notice Statement for additional information on the Department’s commitment to people with disabilities and the ADA.

To request information from an agency supported by OPIR, you must complete the public information request form via this site, send an email to publicrecords@mt.gov, or mail a letter to the Office of Public Information Requests. All OPIR requests must be submitted using one of these methods.