Summary

In response to a congressional request, GAO determined federal agency costs for collecting and processing fees charged to citizens who request documents under the Freedom of Information Act.

GAO found that: (1) the act requires that agencies not charge requesters when the cost of collecting and processing the fee is equal to or greater than the fee itself; (2) cost estimates ranged from negligible to $25.00 for processing each fee; and (3) agencies' cost elements differ depending on their procedures and internal organization.