For the first time in more than 30 years, the Wyoming State Archives is updating its service fees to support the long-term preservation and accessibility of Wyoming’s irreplaceable public records.
The new fee schedule, which takes effect Sept. 1, reflects rising operational costs and decades of technological advancement, according to a news release. Archives officials said the adjustments are modest, carefully considered, and essential to maintaining the high level of service, security, and stewardship the public expects from the state’s official repository.
“While much has changed in how we preserve and share records, our fees have not kept pace,” Wyoming State Archivist Sara Davis said in the release. “These updates allow us to meet today’s needs while planning for tomorrow’s access.”
Since the early 1990s, the State Archives has provided reliable access to essential records, from property deeds and court documents to historical photographs and oral histories, serving researchers, legal professionals, government agencies, and the general public. Over that time, utilities, insurance, technology, and staffing costs have increased significantly, while the State Archives’ fee structure remained largely unchanged.
The updated fees will help sustain critical services such as digitization, research assistance, and document reproduction, all while keeping core offerings affordable and accessible. Self-service copying options, including microfilm reader prints, will remain at 25 cents per page. More specialized services, such as high-resolution digital scans or in-depth research assistance, will see modest increases aligned with peer institutions nationwide.
Under the new schedule, staff-made black and white copies will cost $1.25 per page, digital photograph scans will be $15 per image, and research assistance beyond an initial 30 minutes will be available at $40 per hour. The State Archives emphasized that fees continue to operate at cost-recovery levels and that public funding still covers a large portion of access and preservation efforts, the release states.
Revenue from these updates will help modernize digital preservation systems, improve public access tools, and support staff expertise, ensuring the State Archives can serve Wyoming citizens for decades to come. It will also sustain outreach programs such as the State Archives Speaker Series and the Roving Archivist Program, which help local communities care for their historical collections.
“We’re committed to providing accessible, meaningful connections to Wyoming’s past,” Davis said. “These changes support that mission while keeping our services responsive, sustainable, and rooted in public value.”
The full fee schedule is available online at wyoarchives.wyo.gov/index.php/get-a-copy/copy-prices-and-rules, and State Archives staff will assist patrons during the transition.
The Wyoming State Archives, a division of the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, is the permanent repository for state government records and provides access to materials documenting the lives, landscapes, and legacy of Wyoming and its people.
Wyoming State Archives is located at 2301 Central Ave. in the Barrett Building in Cheyenne. For more information, visit wyoarchives.wyo.gov.