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 Rhode Island

The public records fee in Rhode Island is limited to the "actual reasonable cost" of providing the record, as set by R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-4. That statute caps the fee for standard document duplication at 15% above the actual cost incurred by the agency. The law directs each public body to establish its own fee schedule based on this cost-plus rule, but the 15% figure is the maximum statutory markup allowed. The statute also provides exceptions and factors that may alter the fee in specific circumstances, which are detailed in the official source linked above. The worked example below illustrates how this formula applies. Use the DocketMath calculator to estimate your own fee based on the agency’s published costs.

Governing authority

In Rhode Island, the public records fee rule is set by R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-4. The verified packet cites R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-4 (https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE38/38-2/38-2-4.htm).

Rhode Island public records fee: the verified value is 15% under R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-4. The verified packet cites R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-4 (https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE38/38-2/38-2-4.htm).

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.