Records guide Civic life · Town
Chatham links residents to a town FOIA request policy
The official homepage provides a policy route; a useful request still needs a narrow description of existing records.
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Read the current town policy first
Chatham's official homepage lists a “FOIA Request Policy” route. Open the current policy before submitting a request so its named contact, delivery options and any updated procedure control.
Describe identifiable existing records, a date range and the office or subject involved. A request for records is different from asking the town to answer a question, create a new report or explain why an official acted.
A request is not a production receipt
Keep the submitted wording, date, delivery proof and any tracking identity. Submission alone does not establish that the town received it, that responsive records exist, that every record is public or that production is complete.
Ask for an advance estimate before authorizing material cost and avoid unnecessary private information. This guide does not decide an exemption, fee or response deadline; the current policy and applicable Virginia law control.
Sources & verification
Official town page checked through the current indexed source November 3, 2026; it lists a FOIA Request Policy route.
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