Overview
The Freedom of Information Law (“FOIL”), Article 6 (Sections 84-90) of the NYS Public Officers Law, provides the public right to access records maintained by government agencies with certain exceptions.
“Record” means any information kept, held, filed, produced or reproduced by, with, or for this agency, in any physical form whatsoever including, but not limited to, reports, statements, examinations, memoranda, opinions, folders, files, books, manuals, pamphlets, forms, papers, designs, drawings, maps, photos, letters, microfilms, computer tapes or disks, rules, regulations or codes.
Learn more about records access and GovQA.
View the Department of Labor's subject matter list pertaining to FOIL.
Specific Types of Records
For the Department of Labor to process records requests, please note that you must provide specific information to the Department for certain types of records.
Unemployment Insurance Records
Subpoenas and Service of Process
Submit a FOIL Request
FOIL through GovQA:
File a New York State Department of Labor FOIL request through GovQA.
Mail a written request to:
Records Access Officer
New York State Department of Labor
State Office Campus, Building 12, Room 509
Albany, New York 12226
Email a written request to:
Fax a written request to:
(518) 485-1819
Submit a request for records in person:
Please be advised that Department records are located throughout the state in local offices as well as in the Department's main offices and require review prior to disclosure. As a result, documents and records will not be immediately available.
You may submit a request for records in person Monday through Friday (excluding State holidays) between the hours of 9:00 am to 3:45 pm at our main offices located in Building 12, State Office Campus, Albany, New York. Upon entering the main entrance of the building, advise the Security Staff that you would like to request records. Security Staff will provide you with a records request form.
Process
Within five business days of the receipt of a written request for a record reasonably described, we will send you a letter either: making such record available; denying such request in writing; or furnishing a written acknowledgment of the receipt of such request. If you have not received a letter within five business days, please contact us at (518) 485-2191 or [email protected].
Right to Appeal
Under provisions of the Public Officers Law you may appeal a FOIL determination. If you desire to submit such an appeal, you must do so within 30 days of the written response to your FOIL request.
Please include a copy of the original request for records and a copy of the FOIL response letter you received along with your appeal letter to:
Commissioner of Labor
New York State Department of Labor
Harriman State Office Campus Building 12, Room 500
Albany, NY 12226
You will be informed in writing of the decision within ten business days of our receipt of such an appeal. Please indicate the FOIL Request Number when corresponding on this subject.
Helpful Tips
For more information about FOIL, please visit the New York State Committee on Open Government’s website.
Please note that you must provide specific information to the Department for certain types of records. If you are preparing a request for Non-Unemployment Insurance Records or Unemployment Insurance Records, please see the clear instructions in the “Overview” section at the top of the page.
Please note that the Department of Labor does not maintain records for the Industrial Board of Appeals (IBA). If you wish to obtain copies of documents that the IBA maintains, visit their FOIL website.
When submitting a FOIL request:
- Be as specific as possible in describing the requested records. Include relevant dates, names, descriptions, etc. See suggested language for a FOIL request from the Committee on Open Government.
- Specify whether you would like to inspect the records or have copies of the records sent to you.
- If records are available, specify how you want them sent, i.e., via US mail, email or fax. We may choose to send the records by U.S. mail, if you have requested a large volume of records, for security or other important reasons. We will notify you of any charge for reproducing such records before they are sent to you.
- Include your email, mailing address and fax number, as well as a telephone number where you can be reached during business hours, if it is necessary to clarify your request.
- Please note that the agency is not required to create a new record in response to FOIL requests.