MuckRock

MuckRock is a nonprofit public-records request platform and newsroom for journalists, researchers, activists, and the public. It combines self-service request preparation with software and hands-on assistance to help users file, track, receive, and share government records.

Users create a request, select an agency from MuckRock’s directory, review the request language, and submit it through the channel suited to that agency, including portals, email, fax, or USPS. Missing agencies can be submitted for investigation. Multi-agency filing, bulk requests, and API-based filing support more advanced workflows; each agency in a multi-agency request uses one request credit.

Request pages show statuses such as Awaiting Response, Processing, Payment Required, Partially Completed, and Awaiting Appeal. MuckRock adds email and fax correspondence automatically, retrieves some portal materials, sends agency reminders, and lets requesters reply when clarification or payment is needed. Administrative appeals can be drafted, routed, and tracked when available, but agency responsiveness and appeal outcomes are not guaranteed.

Responsive materials are posted to the request, including electronic correspondence, portal records, and scans of physical mail. A complete request archive can be exported as a ZIP file, and permanent request pages can be shared by link. Requests are public by default. Professional users can apply embargoes for up to 30 days at a time, while Organization users can apply permanent embargoes.

MuckRock is a good fit for people and teams that want a managed, shareable workflow for U.S. public-records requests, especially newsrooms, researchers, classrooms, and organizations with repeat filing needs. It is not suited to requests for private personal records, users who cannot work with public-by-default visibility, or situations requiring guaranteed disclosure or legal representation.