Before You Request Copies: What Lowndes County Charges for Documents (Sheriff vs County Office)
Requesting records or getting copies made? The price varies depending on whether you go through the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office or a county office counter. Here's the cost breakdown so you can pick the cheaper option.
The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office charges 10 cents per page for letter- or legal-sized document copies. That per-page rate works as a baseline for plain paper copies, but it doesn't tell the whole story. Non-standard requests (records that don't copy like a typical letter/legal page, or electronic media) may be priced based on actual production costs. Specialized records, such as certified copies where allowed by law, can also cost more than the standard per-page rate.
Administrative-fee tip: The Sheriff's Office can charge an administrative fee based on the hourly rate of the lowest-paid qualified employee who handles your request. The first 15 minutes of work time is free.
Need copies made in person at a county office? The Lowndes County forms page lists a $0.50 per-copy charge. If you only need a few pages at the counter, compare this against the Sheriff's 10-cent rate to see which saves you money.
Larger open-records requests can trigger costs beyond simple per-page copying. If the estimated cost exceeds $500, the Sheriff's Office can require prepayment of all retrieval costs before processing your request. Even below that threshold, keep two things in mind: the Sheriff's Office can charge an administrative fee tied to staff time (based on the hourly rate of the lowest-paid qualified employee), and the first 15 minutes is free. Small requests may stay cheap thanks to that free window. Larger or more involved requests can add up fast, especially if prepayment kicks in.
How to Choose
- ✓ If you are comparing basic paper copies, start with the per-page math: Sheriff’s Office at $0.10 per page versus the county office’s $0.50 per copy made at the office.
- ✓ If your request could be time-consuming or unusually large, ask for an estimate up front so you understand whether administrative time is likely to be a factor.
- ✓ If the Sheriff’s Office estimates the cost to produce records will exceed $500, plan for prepayment of the retrieval costs before the request will be processed.
- ✓ If you are unsure which office fits your needs, describe what you are requesting (how many pages, what format) and request a cost estimate before you pay.
Quick double-check: Fees are typically listed as standard rates, but confirm the current copy charge with the office handling your request before submitting payment.
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