7.—(1) A person who wishes to obtain access to an official document shall make an application to the public authority which holds that document. (2) An application under subsection (1)— (a) may be made in writing or transmitted by telephone or other electronic means; (b) shall provide such information concerning the document as is reasonably necessary to enable the public authority to identify it. (3) A public authority to which an application is made shall— (a) upon request, assist the applicant in identifying the documents to which the application relates; (b) acknowledge receipt of every application in the prescribed manner; (c) grant to the applicant, access to the document specified in the application if it is not an exempt document. (4) A public authority shall respond to an application as soon as practicable but not later than— (a) thirty days after the date of receipt of the application; or (b) in the case of an application transferred to it by another authority pursuant to section 8, thirty days after the date of the receipt by that authority, so, however, that an authority may extend the period of thirty days for a further period, not exceeding thirty days, in any case where there is reasonable cause for such extension. (5) The response of the public authority shall state its decision on the application, and where the authority or body decides to refuse or defer access or to extend the period of thirty days, it shall state the reasons therefor, and the options available to an aggrieved applicant. 8.—(1) Where an application is made to a public authority for an official document— Transfer of requests. (a) which is held by another public authority; or (b) the subject matter of which is more closely connected with the functions of another public authority, the first mentioned public authority shall transfer the application or such part of it as may be appropriate to that other public authority and shall inform the applicant immediately of the transfer. (2) A transfer of an application pursuant to subsection (1) shall be made as soon as practicable but not later than fourteen days after the date of receipt of the application. 9.—(1) Access to an official document may be granted to an applicant in one or more of the following forms— Forms of access. (a) the applicant may be afforded a reasonable opportunity to inspect the document; (b) the authority concerned may furnish the applicant with a copy of the document; Prepared by the Access to Information Unit Jamaica Archives & Records Department Office of the Prime Minister © Government of Jamaica 2003