Obtaining FOIA Fee Waivers

You may request in writing to have fees waived if the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations and activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester. The mere fact that you are a non-profit organization or a member of the media does not in and of itself qualify for a fee waiver. In addition, a requester's inability to pay is not a legal basis for granting a fee waiver.

Please provide your justification in the waiver request. As appropriate, include the following in your request:

1. A clear statement as to whether the subject of the requested record concerns "the operations or activities of the government."
2. Whether the disclosure is “likely to contribute” to an understanding of government operations or activities.
3. Whether disclosure of the requested information will contribute to "public understanding."
4. Whether the disclosure is likely to contribute “significantly” to public understanding of government operations or activities.
5. Whether the requester has a commercial interest that would be furthered by the requested disclosure.
6. The primary interest is disclosure.