The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides all persons (except persons incarcerated in correctional facilities) with access to public records of public bodies.
Requests to inspect or receive public records from EGLE must be in writing and describe the requested records with enough detail to enable the department to identify and locate the requested records.
This FAQ page speaks specifically to questions related to using our FOIA request center.
To submit a FOIA request, use the EGLE FOIA Request Center.
If you are new to this process, please visit our using the FOIA request center webpage for step-by-step instructions.
If you would like a colleague to receive updates about the status of any open requests while you are away; you may change the email address associated with your account. Notices regarding open requests will then be sent to that new email address. While, responsive records would be available to your colleague, and others, on the Public Records Archive in the EGLE FOIA Request Center. Upon your return you would need to update the associated email address to your account, again.
Please note, after changing the associated email address the owner of that new email address could change the password to your account in the EGLE FOIA Request Center; thereby, locking you out of My Request Center.
To ask a question about your request, go to the EGLE FOIA Request Center, log into My Request Center and locate the FOIA that you wish to ask the question about. Select the Details button for that FOIA and towards the bottom of the new screen that opens you will see the below buttons, simply click the New Message button to prepare and submit a question about your FOIA request.
If you wish to make changes to a request, please cancel the request and submit a new request. We are unable to make changes to a request once it has been submitted.
To cancel your request, go to the EGLE FOIA Request Center, log into My Request Center and locate the FOIA that you wish to cancel. Select the Details button for that FOIA and towards the bottom of the new screen that opens you will see the above buttons, simply click the New Message button to prepare and submit a note asking to cancel your FOIA request. NOTE: the x Cancel button is not used to cancel your request, instead that button is used to stop writing a New Message.
Or you may cancel by sending an email to EGLE-FOIA@Michigan.gov that contains your FOIA tracking number (E######-######) and your request to cancel.
If you are having difficulty opening different file types due to a Mac user or software not available on your computer, please go to online-converting.com/document. This is a free and easy software to use that will convert most file types. If you are a Mac user, Apple also supplies its own downloadable free software to convert Microsoft Office products.
To view records responsive to your request, go to the EGLE FOIA Request Center, log into My Request Center and locate the FOIA that you have received documents for. Remember to use the “E” tracking number (E######-######) assigned to your request, to find responsive records. Once there click on
View Files. Make sure your computer does not have any pop-up blockers, as they can cause downloading issues.
Documents available for download will be identified as follows.
FOIA requests and associated responsive records will remain in the public portal for 365 days.
After selecting View My Requests in My Request Center, the bar on the right side of each request will indicate whether the request is in progress or if it is complete. You will also receive a final email notice.
Invoices will be provided to a requester via the EGLE FOIA Request Center through the View My Invoices tab. A requester will also receive an email about the fee(s) that will contain important information such as the date by which payment is required along with a link to the payment center. Any FOIA fee(s) will be paid through the online payment center.
If you have having problems downloading some or all records, please check your computer for pop-up blockers as these will cause downloading issues.
Most divisions cannot conduct a search using a Parcel ID because records are filed by addresses. If you do not have an address, provide the Parcel ID and any other information you may have, such as a street name(s), property owner name, Facility ID, and/or project name to assist in searching for records.
After too many failed login attempts, a user is locked out of their account. You may ask for assistance by sending an email to EGLE-FOIA@Michigan.gov or unlock your own account, learn how. After exceeding the maximum number of login attempts, an email will be sent to the email account on file with a link to unlock the account and reset the password. While the link expires after 20 minutes, clicking the link after that window will prompt you to enter the email address on file and a new link will be provided.
