(1) There is no fee to inspect public records. The office may impose a charge for providing copies of public records.
(2) The office does not calculate the actual costs for copying records because doing so would be unduly burdensome for the following reasons:
(a) The office does not have the resources to conduct a study to determine all its actual copying costs;
(b) To conduct such a study would interfere with other essential office functions; and
(c) Through the 2017 legislative process, the public and requesters have commented on and been informed of authorized fees and costs, including for electronic records, provided in RCW 42.56.120 (2)(b) and (c), (3), and (4).
(3) The office may:
(a) Charge for copies of records pursuant to RCW 42.56.120 (2)(b) and (c);
(b) Charge for customized services pursuant to RCW 42.56.120(3);
(c) Charge other copy fees authorized by statutes outside of chapter 42.56 RCW pursuant to RCW 42.56.130; or
(d) Enter into an alternative fee agreement with the requestor under RCW 42.56.120(4).
(4) The charges for copying methods used by the office are summarized in the fee schedule available on the office's website at https://tre.wa.gov.
(5) Before producing public records, the public records officer may require the requestor to pay:
(a) The entire cost in advance of receiving records;
(b) An advance deposit of 10 percent of the estimated fees; or
(c) The payment of the costs of providing an installment before providing that installment.
(6) The public records officer will notify the requestor if fees will be charged and when payment is required.
(7) The office will deem abandoned and administratively close a request as described in WAC 474-01-085(5) when a requestor fails by the payment date to pay in the manner prescribed.
(8) Payment should be made by check or money order to the office of the state treasurer. The office prefers not to receive cash, and it is within the public records officer's discretion to determine the denomination of bills and coins that will be accepted.