Administrative Operations
FOIA Fees
Departmental Regulations allow us to recover part of the costs associated
with the processing of FOIA requests. For fee purposes, the FOIA requires
that requesters be placed in one of the following three categories:
(1) commercial use requesters; (2) educational and scientific institutions
and news media; and (3) all others. Those requesters classified as commercial
use requesters, Category I, are subject to search, review, edit and
duplication costs. Category II requesters are subject to duplications
costs. We will waive the fee for the first 100 pages of duplication.
Category III requesters are charged for search and duplication, with
a waiver of the first 100 pages of duplication and two hours search
time. You will incur FOIA charges if the total processing costs are
$25 or more.
Unless you state a specific fee limit in your request, we will assume
that you are willing to pay all the fees incurred in the processing
of your request and will not contact you concerning the fees.
The FOIA permits the waiver or reduction of fees if disclosure of the
information meets both of the following tests: (1) it is in the public
interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public
understanding of the operations or activities of the government; and
(2) it is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester.
If you believe your request meets both of these tests, you can request
a waiver or reduction of fees at the time you make your request. Provide
information to justify your waiver request. Full details concerning
fee waiver and reductions can be found at 45
CFR 5.45 of the DHHS implementing Public Information Regulations.
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Last revised:
July 10, 2003
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