Sec. 81.8. Denial of request for a record or amendment or correction of a record or personal information

(a) Denial of a request for a record or amendment or correction of a record or personal information:

(1) shall be in writing, explaining the reasons therefor; and

(2) identifying the person to whom an appeal may be directed.

(b) A failure to grant or deny access to records within five business days of the receipt of a request or within 30 days of an acknowledgment of the receipt of a request, or a failure to respond to a request for amendment or correction of a record within 30 business days of receipt of such a request, shall be construed as a denial that may be appealed.

(c) Any such denial may be appealed to: General Counsel to the Secretary of State, Department of State, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12231-0001.