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1. What is the cost to obtain records?

Once the scope of a request has been determined, and research completed to identify responsive records, we will notify you of any copying charges, if any. 

The fees for paper or electronic copies are in accordance with the City’s Administrative Fee Schedule [PDF].

• Photocopies (black and white): The first 10 pages (per request) are free of charge. The fee for 11 or more pages is $0.15 per page.
• Scanning records from paper to electronic format: The fee ranges from $0.14 - $0.20 per page depending on the size of the document
• Records provided via email/FTP download: There is no fee as long as the requested records are already in electronic format, otherwise scanning fees above apply.

Please note, the City only has the capability to copy, print, or scan documents up to 11”x17”. Larger documents will need to be sent to an outside vendor and the requestor shall pay the actual cost of reproduction. 

For large requests, the City may require a 10% deposit before making copies. The City may also provide the records in installments and require advance payment before providing further installments.

Payment can be made:

• In-person at City Hall with cash, check, credit card, or money order
• By phone – call 253-896-8618 with a credit card
• By mail – send a check or money order to:
  Fife City Hall
  Attn: Public Records
  5411 23rd Street E
  Fife, WA  98424

Arrangements can be made to visually inspect records in-person either at City Hall or Fife Police Department at no cost. During your appointment, you can identify records you would like copied (administrative fees will still apply).

2. How long will it be before I obtain my records?

We process requests in the order in which they are received as closely as possible. Once the records have been collected, we will notify you of any copying charges. Any records or portion of records that are exempt from disclosure will be withheld or redacted. We will specify the exemption that applies to any documents withheld or redactions made. We may provide you an estimate of time for further response or provide documents in installments.

3. When will I get a response to my request?

Within five business days of receipt of the request, the Public Records Officer or designee will do one of the following:

• Make the records available for inspection or copying.
• Send copies to requestor if payment has been received.
• Provide a reasonable estimate when records will be available.
• Contact requestor to request clarification.
• Deny the request citing reason for denial.

If a requestor does not receive a response within five business days, he or she should contact the Public Records Officer to ensure the request was received by the agency.

The five business day count does not include the day of the request. In the event a request for public records is received after 5:00 p.m., the request shall be deemed to have been received on the next business day.

4. What records are exempt from public disclosure?

Each record must be reviewed to determine whether it is exempt from production. Most exemptions are listed in RCW 42.56. However, certain statutes outside public records laws also provide exemptions from disclosure or prohibitions on disclosure of particular records. When the City denies a request for production of a public record, the specific statutory exemption on which the denial is based must be identified along with a brief explanation of how the exemption applies.