Open Public Records Act

Open Public Records Act (OPRA)


The Open Public Records Act (OPRA) is a New Jersey law designed to ensure transparency and accountability in government by granting the public access to government records. Under OPRA, all government records are presumed to be accessible to the public unless they fall under specific exemptions outlined by law.

OPRA affirms that:

  • Government records shall be readily accessible for inspection, copying, or examination by New Jersey residents, unless doing so would compromise public interest or violate a valid legal exemption.

  • All records are considered public unless they are protected by a specific exemption under state or federal law, regulation, executive order, court rule, or legislative resolution.

  • Citizens’ privacy remains a priority. Agencies are obligated to protect personal information from disclosure when doing so would violate a reasonable expectation of privacy.

While OPRA strengthens the public’s right to access records, it also recognizes the need to safeguard sensitive or confidential information when necessary.

Submitting an OPRA Request

Stafford Township processes two types of OPRA requests:

▶️ Municipal Government Records

To request records from the Stafford Township Clerk’s Office (e.g., permits, resolutions, contracts, zoning, etc.), please use the form below:

Submit a Municipal OPRA Request ➤

▶️ Police Department Records

To request police-related records (e.g., incident reports, accident reports, CAD logs, etc.), please direct your request to the Stafford Township Police Department:

Submit a Police Department OPRA Request ➤

Additional Information

  • Agencies have seven (7) business days to respond to a valid OPRA request, beginning the day after the request is received.

  • If you are unsure about what documents may be available, we recommend contacting the appropriate department for guidance before submitting your request.

  • While, under current statutes, a requestor is not required to use the official OPRA request form, all requests must include the information outlined on the form, as required under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. This includes details such as your name, contact information, and a clear description of the records being sought as well as an unsworn falsification to authorities under N.J.S.A 2C:28-3.

  • Please note that Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests are governed by federal law and will be processed accordingly under the appropriate federal agency’s procedures. OPRA applies to New Jersey state, county, and local government records only.

For more information about OPRA, you can visit the New Jersey Government Records Council (GRC).