(1) The secretary of state, the auditor general, the state treasurer, and the attorney general may require searches in the respective offices of each other and in the offices of the clerks of any court of record or municipal court, or in the office of a register of deeds, for any papers, records, or documents necessary to the discharge of their respective duties, and may obtain certified copies and certified extracts of such papers, records, or documents without the payment of a fee or charge.

    (2) The director of commerce may request searches and obtain certified copies and certified extracts of papers, records, or documents pertaining to criminal matters, medical malpractice, or other public documents or records necessary to the discharge of the duties of the bureau within the department of commerce with responsibility for occupational and professional licensure from the secretary of state, the auditor general, the state treasurer, the clerk of any court of record or municipal court, or from the office of a register of deeds. The secretary of state, the auditor general, the state treasurer, the clerk of any court of record or municipal court, or the office of a register of deeds may charge a reasonable fee for providing the requested information under this subsection, not to exceed the actual cost for providing the requested information.