(1) Hours for inspection of records. Public records are available for inspection and copying by appointment during normal business hours of the military department, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding legal holidays. Original records must be inspected at the offices of the military department. The military department will take reasonable action to protect records from damage and disorganization during inspection. A requestor shall not take military department records from military department offices without the permission of the public records officer or designee.

(2) Records index and records available online. An index of public records is available for use by members of the public. The index, which also includes a list of laws other than those in chapter 42.56 RCW that exempt or prohibit disclosure of specific information or records, may be accessed online at http://www.mil.wa.gov. A variety of records is also available on the military department website. Requestors are encouraged to view the documents available on the website prior to submitting a records request.

(3) Making a request for public records.

(a) Any person wishing to inspect or obtain copies of public records of the military department should make the request in writing by letter, fax, or email addressed to the public records officer or using the military department website form located at: http://www.mil.wa.gov. Records requests should include the following information:

• Name of requestor;

• Address of requestor;

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

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

• The date and time of day of the request.

(b) If the requestor wishes to obtain photocopies or electronic versions of nonelectronic records instead of simply inspecting them, he or she should so indicate and make arrangements to pay for copies of the records. A deposit may be required prior to the military department's collection of the records requested. Pursuant to WAC 323-10-070, photocopies will be provided at fifteen cents per page and scanned copies will be provided at six cents per page.

(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 department will presume that the request is fully and accurately described in this confirmation unless the requestor promptly indicates otherwise in writing.