Information Requests
Information requests based on the Act on the Openness of Government Activities
According to the Act on the Openness of Government Activities (621/1999), everyone has the right of access to a public official document. When requesting a public document, you do not need to give reasons for the request or explain how you will use the information. Requests concerning a public document can be made in a free format verbally, by email or by letter.
According to the Act on the Openness of Government Activities, a person whose right, interest or obligation is concerned in a matter shall have the right of access, to be granted by the authority which is considering or has considered the matter, to the contents also of a document which is not in the public domain, if the document may influence or may have influenced the consideration of his or her matter. When requesting information concerning a non-disclosable document or documents on which information may only be disclosed under certain conditions, you will need to explain the purpose for which the information will be used and provide proof of identity. The City of Espoo may also request additional information from the person who requests a document if it is needed to determine whether the conditions for disclosing the information are met.
How to make a detailed information request
Your information request should be as detailed as possible to make it easier to find the correct document. When requesting information from the case register, useful details include the case number, document date, decision date, name of the person who initiated the process, and name of the decision-maker.
If your request concerns documents processed in information resources, you can specify the name of the register or service where the document is stored and the type of the document (e.g. application, decision, drawing or notice), for example. You can find more information on how to specify your request under Asiarekisteri ja tietovarannot (in Finnish). Under each information resource, there is a list of search terms that you can use to make your information request more specific.
How to submit an information request
For information requests, you can contact the City of Espoo’s Registry Office, the City Archives and the Building Control Unit’s archives. You can also address your information request directly to the office-holder responsible for the matter.
It is recommended that you use secure mail, when sending confidential information: https://securemail.espoo.fi(external link, opens in a new window) (this link will open in a new window)
Contact information of the Registry Office:
kirjaamo@espoo.fi
City of Espoo Registry Office
P.O. Box 1
02070 CITY OF ESPOO
Tel. +358 9 8165 6000
Fees for documents and services (in Finnish)
Responding to an information request
Information on a public document is provided as soon as possible, no later than within two weeks of submitting the request. If processing and resolving a request requires special measures or more work than usual, information on the document will be provided or the matter will be resolved no later than within one month of submitting the request.
Depending on the nature, scope and format of the requested information, Espoo may provide the information either electronically, on paper or for on-site viewing.
The responsibilities related to responding to information requests are defined in Espoo’s administrative regulations as follows: The decision-making power regarding the provision of documents, as referred to in section 14 of the Act on the Openness of Government Activities, is exercised within their area of responsibility by the Mayor, the deputy mayors with regard to their respective sector management, the City Auditor, the Director of Internal Auditing, unit directors, and the director of the public utility.
Requests to access personal data
You have the right to access your personal data in the city’s registers. Information on how to request access to personal data based on the General Data Protection Regulation can be found under Rights of the data subject.
Open interfaces
You can explore Espoo’s open data interfaces on our website under Open Data and Product descriptions for geographic data and maps.