Correct your personal information under freedom of information

If you’ve been given access to your personal information and you think it is incomplete, incorrect, out of date or misleading, you have the right under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to ask for the document to be amended and/or annotated.

You can ask for your personal information to be amended so it’s no longer incomplete, incorrect, out of date or misleading.

You can also ask for your personal information to be annotated, which means a note with your objections is attached to the document containing the information.

You don’t have to apply to amend a document before applying to annotate it.

Apply to amend your personal information

You must apply in writing to the agency or minister that holds your personal information and ask them to amend it. When you write to the agency of minister:

• state, if practical, the document(s) containing the personal information you want to amend
• give an address or email address where the agency or minister can send you a letter or email
• include a separate statement where you explain: what personal information is incomplete, incorrect, out of date or misleading; your reasons for making such a claim; and any other information that would make your personal information complete, correct, up to date or not misleading.

Post or email your letter to the agency or minister’s address on their website or in the telephone directory.

Apply to annotate your personal information

You must apply in writing to the agency or minister that holds your personal information and ask them to annotate it. When you write to the agency or minister:

• state, if practical, the document containing the personal information you want to annotate
• state the reason(s) why you want to annotate your personal information
• give any information that would make your personal information complete, correct, up to date or not misleading
• give an address or email address where the agency or minister can send you a letter or email.

Post or email your letter to the agency or minister’s address on their website or in the telephone directory.

Is there a charge?

No. It’s free to apply to amend or annotate your personal information.

How long does it take?

The agency or minister has 30 days to make a decision whether to amend or annotate your record.

If you don’t get a decision within this period, the agency is taken to have refused your application. However, an agency or minister can ask us for a one-off extension of time (for example, if they’ve nearly finished processing your application). If we agree, you’ll receive a decision within the new time period.