Washington education agency keeps mailed-check requirement for public records fees, despite governor's call to waive small charges

Washington's Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction requires requesters to mail checks to pay for public records, even when the fee is a few cents. The policy, in place since last year, follows the state's fee schedule — 5 cents for every four electronic files or emails.

A coalition of education attorneys and public records advocates petitioned OSPI in May to waive small fees and allow online payment. OSPI denied the petition. Gov. Bob Ferguson wrote in a Sept. 11 letter that he had directed his own cabinet agencies to waive charges when collecting them costs more than the payment itself, or when the amount is under $5. He recommended OSPI do the same. OSPI is run by an elected superintendent and sits outside Ferguson's direct authority.

OSPI spokesperson Katy Payne said the agency does not plan to change its approach. She said most requests do not reach $5 in fees and cited staffing cuts, rising request volume, and a desire for consistent rule application. OSPI is working with the state Office of Financial Management to begin accepting credit cards by December or January 2027.

Karen Pillar of Attorneys for Education Rights, which led the petition, said the check requirement slows access and may deter families unfamiliar with the system.