Cost for getting records
FOIA permits agencies to charge fees to FOIA requesters. For noncommercial requesters, an
agency may charge only for the actual cost of searching for records and the cost of making copies.
Search fees usually range from about $15 to $40 per hour, depending upon the salary levels of the
personnel needed for the search, although such fees may vary considerably by agency. The charge for
copying documents can be as little as ten cents or less per page at some agencies, but may be
considerably more at other agencies.