Data Practices Request / About Requestor

This resource will guide you in making a data practices request as the data subject under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13, for private and public data. Chisago County may have data about you, which means you are the "data subject". As the data subject, you have the right to access both private and public data about yourself. You also have the right to access private and public data if the data subject is your child (under 18 years) or ward and you are the parent or guardian.

Identify the Responsible Authority

  • The Responsible Authority (RA) for a County Social Services Office is the Director of that office.
  • Each Elected Official (such as the County Sheriff or the County Attorney) is the responsible authority for his or her office.
  • The Responsible Authority for other county offices is appointed by the County Board (County Administrator).

Request Procedure

Ask about access procedures for data requests when you are the data subject

You must use the Information Disclosure Request Form (PDF) to make your request or put your request in writing. Chisago County is also required under the law to request proper identification before you can access private data as a data subject.

Minnesota Government Data Practices Act

Make your request under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. If making a written request, rather than using the Information Disclosure Request Form, be sure to use one of the following statements:

  • "I am making a request for access to data about myself under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13".
  • "I am making a request for access to data as the parent or guardian of the data subject under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13".

This will let Chisago County know you are requesting access to private or public data about yourself, your child, or your ward and Chapter 13 governs the response.

Requesting vs. Asking

Request access to data rather than asking a question about data. The Responsible Authority is only required to respond to requests for access to data under Chapter 13. The Responsible Authority is not required to respond, or follow timelines in responding, if you only submit a question about data. In the following example, the 1st statement is a question about data that does not require a response under Chapter 13. The 2nd statement is a request for data requiring a response.

  • Why did the County Board decide to end the Park Program?
  • I would like access to all data about why the County Board decided to end the Park Program.

Request Submission

Submit a specific request for access to the data about you. It is important that your request for access to the data about you is specific. This will help prevent misunderstandings about your request. A request for data about you may include:

  • Specifically identifying the private or public data you would like to access.
  • Explaining how you would like access to the data.
    • Would you like to inspect the data? You can inspect the data for free at the offices of the government entity. You may need to make an appointment to inspect the data.
    • Would you like to receive copies of the public data? You can be charged for copies of the data.

Additional Information

  • Chisago County must assure that you are the data subject when you request private data about yourself and will require you to provide identification.
  • Chisago County is required to respond to your request immediately, if possible, or within 10 business days of the request.

Important Documents