In what format must a custodian deliver the requested records?

The correct answer reflects the principle established by the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), which mandates that public records must be made available in the manner requested by the individual seeking access. This means that if a requester specifies a particular format—such as paper, digital, or another medium—the custodian must comply with that request as long as they possess the record in that format and it is not an unreasonable burden to provide it.

This approach ensures that the rights of individuals to access public records are upheld, allowing them to receive the information in a practical and usable way. It respects the requester’s needs, facilitating transparency and accountability within government operations.