This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

Public Records Fee in Montana

Under Montana law, the custodian of a public record may charge a fee equal to the agency’s actual costs for copying the record, but when the agency contracts with a third-party commercial copier, the fee is capped at 25% of the agency’s cost of the copying service. This rule is set by Mont. Code § 2-6-1006, which governs how state and local agencies calculate copying fees for public records requests. The statute provides the formula for determining the allowable percentage, and the exact calculation depends on the agency’s specific contract terms. The worked example below illustrates how the 25% figure applies in a typical scenario. To estimate your own fee, use the DocketMath calculator and reference the official source at the link provided.

Governing authority

In Montana, the public records fee rule is set by Mont. Code § 2-6-1006. The verified packet cites Mont. Code § 2-6-1006 (https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0020/chapter_0060/part_0100/section_0060/0020-0060-0100-0060.html).

Montana public records fee: the verified value is 25% under Mont. Code § 2-6-1006. The verified packet cites Mont. Code § 2-6-1006 (https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0020/chapter_0060/part_0100/section_0060/0020-0060-0100-0060.html).

Estimate your own result: every situation has exceptions that can change the outcome. Use the public records fee calculator to estimate your specific figure.

This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.