Public Records

Public Records Requests

Making a Request

Requests for public records in the custody of the Department of Early Learning and Care must be submitted in writing. Pursuant to the provisions of ORS 192.440(3), the agency may charge a fee reasonably calculated to reimburse the agency for actual costs of providing public records. The costs associated may include locating, photocopying, reviewing, redacting and mailing the documents. DELC must act in accordance with ORS 192.435 and ORS 192.437 for requests involving home-based providers.

By Web Form

Records Request Form

By Regular Mail

Department of Early Learning and Care, Office of Child Care
attn: Public Records Officer
700 Summer Street NE #350
Salem, Oregon 97301

Contact

For questions, comments, or concerns, email DELC.PRRequest@DELC.oregon.gov.

Calculation of Fees

The department has established fees reasonably calculated to reimburse it for the actual cost of making the public records available. If the cost estimate is more than $25, the department will send the requestor a written cost estimate before proceeding with the request. If the cost estimate is more than $250, the department will work with the requestor to refine the scope of their request or otherwise reduce out-of-pocket costs.

For the production of a Certified document: $10 (includes staff time).

Postage: May be charged and will be based on current postage rates.

Staff Time

The department waives fees for a minimum of 30 minutes of staff time required to locate, produce, redact, or otherwise provide records. The hourly rate charged for additional staff time is based on the level of skill or expertise required to complete the work performed.

The following is a list of charges that are standard throughout the department:

Clerical: $25 per hour (administrative, office specialists, other support staff)
Managerial: $40 per hour (program managers, public information officers)
Professional: $75 per hour (information technology, human resources, high-level analyst)
DOJ, special attorney and other applicable legal fees: At the actual hourly rate charged for public records request-related services. Fees are subject to statutory limitations described in ORS 192.440(4)(b) .

Production of Responsive Records

Copies of documents
Copies of existing mailing lists
Media (video and audio recordings)

Waiving Fees
The department will evaluate requests to reduce or waive fees on a case-by-case basis. The department will take into consideration the cost of producing the information and whether making the records available primarily benefits the general public. All requests for a public interest fee waiver or reduction will be evaluated using information provided by the requestor as well as information independently available to the department.

A person who believes that there has been an unreasonable denial of a fee waiver or fee reduction may petition the Attorney General or the district attorney in the same manner as a person petitions when inspection of a public record is denied under ORS 192.410 to 192.505.
Fee Waiver Request Form