The Cobb County Attorney’s Office launched a new online portal Wednesday for processing open records requests.

“We strongly believe in the value and necessity of transparency in government, and this new tool allows us to be more efficient and responsive and improve on our former practices,” County Attorney Deborah Dance said in a statement.

Previously, requests filed under the Open Records Act were submitted via email.

The new website allows users to track their requests, as well as communications with the county. It also gives them the option to sign up for updates on county issues of interest.

Cobb receives more than 20,000 such requests a year, the statement said.