Whenever a copy of any public record is required by the bureau or other agency of the government to be used in determining the eligibility of any person to participate in benefits made available to such agency, the official charged with the custody of such public record shall, without charge, provide the applicant for such benefits, or any person acting on his behalf, or the representative of such agency, with a certified copy of such record.
W. Va. Code § 44-15-13