Home/Tools/Request for a published service time
template · Red Tape Council · Updated 20 August 2026
Request for a published service time
A practical, country-neutral template for asking a public office or service provider to publish the expected processing time for a small-business application, permit, or approval. It is a request—not a statement that a particular deadline or “silence is consent” rule already applies.
Copy-and-adapt request
Subject: Request for published service time — [name of service] — [location, if relevant]
To: [office, department, or service team]
From: [your name or business contact name]
Date: [date]
Application or case reference (if available): [reference number]
Dear [office or team name],
I am seeking information about the processing time for [exact name of application, permit, registration, renewal, inspection, or service], handled by [office or department] for [location or jurisdiction].
I checked [official webpage, form, or other source] on [date]. I could not find a current, clear service time for this process / the information I found says [briefly describe what it says and what remains unclear].
Please provide the following information, or direct me to the official page where it is published:
- The expected processing time for a complete application, including the unit used (for instance, calendar days or working days).
- The event that starts the time calculation: submission, receipt, payment, confirmation that the application is complete, or another stated point.
- Any steps or circumstances that can pause, extend, or restart the stated time, and how the applicant will be told about them.
- How applicants can check progress, and what reference number or information they should use.
- How and when the office will notify an applicant if information is missing, the case is delayed, or a decision has been made.
- Where the service time is published, the date it was last reviewed, and who is responsible for keeping it current.
If the office does not currently publish a service time, please consider publishing one with the information above. A clear public estimate would help small businesses plan staffing, costs, and operations. If another office is responsible, please identify it or let me know the correct contact route.
This is a request for service information. It is not a request to bypass requirements, and it should not be treated as changing the rules or deadlines that apply to my application. Please confirm receipt if possible and reply by [reasonable date, if you choose to include one].
Thank you,
[name]
[preferred contact method]
[business name, optional]
[case reference, if relevant]