COMMERCIAL REQUESTS. A requester seeking information for a use or purpose that furthers a commercial, trade, or profit interest is considered to make a commercial use request. The requester is assessed fees for search, review and duplication incurred in processing the request.

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION REQUESTS. A requester demonstrating that a request is made on behalf of an educational institution and in furtherance of the institution's program of scholarly research rather than individual research or commercial use, is assessed only duplication fees. Further, the first 100 pages are free. Preschools, public or private elementary or secondary schools; institutions of undergraduate higher education, graduate higher education, professional education, or institutions of vocational education operating programs of scholarly research qualify as educational institutions.

NON-COMMERCIAL SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION REQUESTS. A requester demonstrating that a request is made on behalf of a non-commercial scientific institution, is operating solely for conducting scientific research, the results of which are not intended to promote any particular product or industry, is assessed only duplication fees. Further, the first 100 pages are free.

NEWS MEDIA REQUESTS. A representative of the news media who is actively gathering news for an entity organized and operated to publish or broadcast news to the public. A representative of the news media who requests information for news media purposes is assessed only duplication fees. Further, the first 100 pages are free. "News" means information about current events or of current interest to the public. Examples of news media entities include television or radio stations broadcasting to the public at large, and publishers of periodicals who are disseminators of "news," who make their products available for purchase or subscription by the general public. "Freelance" journalists may be considered representatives of the media if they demonstrate a solid basis for expecting publication through a news organization, even if they are not actually employed by the organization. Proof may be by publication contract or assignment. A requester's publication record may also indicate expectation of publication.

ALL OTHER REQUESTS. Requests that do not qualify in another category are considered "other" requests for fee purposes. Examples are requests from nonprofit organizations and persons having a personal interest in an accident or incident in which they were directly involved. "Other" requesters receive two hours search, all review, and the first 100 pages free.

The Table below summarizes how we assess fees for each category: