(1) Hours for inspection of records. Public records are available for inspection and copying by appointment during normal business hours of the ombuds office, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding legal holidays. Original records must be inspected at the ombuds office. A requestor shall not take ombuds office records from ombuds offices without the permission of the public records officer or designee.

(2) Records index and records available online. An index of public records is available for use by members of the public. The index may be accessed online at https://oco.wa.gov/. A variety of records is also available on the ombuds office website.

(3) Making a request for public records.

(a) Any person wishing to inspect or obtain copies of public records of the ombuds office should make the request in writing by letter or email addressed to the public records officer. Records requests should include the following information:

• Name of requestor;

• Address of requestor;

• Other contact information, including telephone number and email address;

• Identification of the public records adequate for the public records officer or designee to locate the records; and

• The date and time of day of the request.

(b) If the requestor wishes to retain photocopies or electronic versions of nonelectronic records instead of simply inspecting them, he or she should so indicate and make arrangements to pay for copies of the records. A deposit may be required prior to the office's collection of the records requested. Pursuant to WAC XXX.