All public records of the office are deemed to be available for public inspection and copying pursuant to these rules and applicable state law, as follows:

(1) Hours for inspection of records. Public records are available for inspection and copying during normal business hours of the office of the secretary of state, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding legal holidays. Records must be inspected at the office of the secretary of state. An appointment may be required.

(2) Records index. An index of public records is available for use by members of the public, consisting of those records retention schedules applicable to the office of the secretary of state.

(3) Organization of records. The office of the secretary of state will maintain its records in a reasonably organized manner. The office will take reasonable actions to protect records from damage and disorganization. A requestor shall not take original records from the office. A variety of records are available on the secretary of state website at www.secstate.wa.gov. Requestors are encouraged to view the documents available on the website prior to submitting a records request.

(4) Making a request for public records.

(a) Any person wishing to inspect or obtain copies of public records of the office of the secretary of state should make the request in writing by letter, fax, or email addressed to the public records officer and including the following information:

• Name of requestor;

• Address of requestor;

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

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

• The date of the request.

(b) If the requestor wishes to have copies of the records made instead of simply inspecting them, he or she should so indicate and make arrangements to pay for copies of the records or a deposit. Copies will be made by secretary of state staff unless other arrangements are agreed upon. Costs for copying are specified in WAC 434-12A-100.

(c) The public records officer or designee may accept requests for public records that contain the above information by telephone or in person. If the public records officer or designee accepts such a request, he or she will confirm receipt of the information and the substance of the request in writing. The office will presume that the request is fully and accurately described in this confirmation unless the requestor promptly indicates otherwise in writing.