Office of Information Practices

U Memo 25-04
August 15, 2024
Reasonable Search for Records

A record requester (Requester) sought copies of documents related to an employment application from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).  DLNR provided Requester with responsive records and informed Requester that it did not maintain some of the requested records.  Requester appealed DLNR’s response to OIP.

OIP found that DLNR conducted a reasonable search for records responsive to Requester’s record request in the locations where any responsive records would most likely be found which included reaching out to employees most likely to know where such records might be maintained.  However, DLNR could not locate any responsive records other than the records provided to Requester.  OIP concluded that DLNR’s response that it has provided Requester with all records DLNR maintains responsive to the record request was proper and DLNR has satisfied its obligations under the UIPA to search for such records.