All I can say is Wow.  In Massachusetts most of the Registries have FREE online document copies going all the way back to the year one.  

.Using handheld  scanners is an acceptable business practice here.  I can't think of one Registry that doesn't allow them, including registries that aren't under the purview of the Secretary of State's office & thus charge whatever they want to for both online & in house copies.  The same applies to probate courts in Mass.  In Cambridge, probate court employees get cranky if you take a call on your cell phone, but could give a care less if you pull out a scanner.  That's really too bad for NY examiners.