Public Records Request Guidelines

 Guidelines for Submitting a Public Records Request

 

The Nevada Department of Agriculture appreciates your interest in the public documents associated with our programs and statutory duties. For your convenience, below are some notes regarding public requests for information. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

  • Due to the volume of requests, records accessibility, staff availability, and legal constraints, the Department may need a few days or even weeks to locate and produce requested records. 
  • Complete the Department's Public Records Request form and mail, email or deliver the requests directly to the Department's Sparks headquarters. The office will coordinate the records search and a response with appropriate staff.
  • Be specific and reduce the scope of the request as much as possible. Details regarding locations, dates or contract numbers are helpful. This will focus and expedite the records search.
  • Include the requestor's contact information, preferably with email and physical mailing addresses and a daytime phone number.
  • Pursuant to NRS Chapter 239.0107, the Department will acknowledge receipt of a request and provide a status report within five business days. The office will provide a staff contact point and, if necessary, ask for clarification so it can expedite the search for records relevant to your needs.
  • Records are not always readily accessible and may be located in archived files.
  • To save time, prior to visiting the office to see documents or files that may or may not be on-hand, the Department asks that a request be made by either letter or email before visiting the office.
  • Please keep in mind that the Department may also charge for copies and staff time in accordance with NRS 239.055 (see policy below).

We appreciate your patience. Your request is a priority for our staff, and we will respond as quickly, accurately and thoroughly as possible.

Nevada Department of Agriculture's Public Records Request Form

Nevada Public Records Act Manual

A request may be made to the Department's Public Records Officer by completing the Department's Public Records request form and submitting it either by mail, email or deliver it directly to the Department's Sparks headquarters office at:

Attn: Public Records Request  

Nevada Department of Agriculture - Main Office 
405 South 21st Street 
Sparks, NV 89431


NDA Records Official

Ciara Ressel, Public Information Officer
E-mail
 

 Fee Schedule for Public Records Requests 

These fees apply to the Nevada Department of Agriculture and will be posted in a conspicuous place. The Department is responsible for implementing the below procedures in accordance with the Nevada Open Records Law (Nevada Revised Statute 239.055).

1. Invoices. Any fees imposed must be invoiced and must detail each of the four costs: staff time, copies, scanning/e-mail/online posting, and postage.
2. Cost estimates. Before further processing, the requester will be notified in writing and required to remit payment in full. If the final costs are less than estimated, the requester will be reimbursed any difference.
3.
Staff time. In accordance with Nevada Revised Statute 239.055, fees may be charged for extraordinary staff time -- up to $0.50 per page -- for processing, researching, copying, legal/technical review, or viewing.
4. Copying costs: 

  •  Black & White: $0.10 per page.
  •  Color: $0.50 per page.
  •  Compact Disk/DVD: $5 per disk.
  •  Certified Copies: $5 per page.
  •  Electronic Scanning to E-mail, CD or FTP: $0.10 per page.

5. Postage/shipping. All shipping will be via USPS unless otherwise requested. Postage and shipping costs will be reimbursed by the requester.
6. Payment. Checks or money orders must be payable to the "Nevada Department of Agriculture". Partial payment of estimated fees is required prior to commitment of substantial staff time and effort. Full payment of actual fees is required before any records will be provided.
7. Use of outside copying services. If estimated staff time exceeds four (4) hours, outside vendors/contractors may be utilized under the direction of the Department. Actual vendor costs in addition to staff time, if warranted, will be charged to the requester.

Additional Information