Find Public Records

Public records include all of the data and information that various governmental agencies have collected on individuals. Many are available to the public for little to no cost, and the information contained within can be very valuable. Here is a look at some of the information that you need to know.

The Fundamentals of Public Records

These documents come from a variety of sources. They can include information gathered by the government, including documents such as birth certificates, immigration, criminal, driving and other such personal information. Public records can also be gathered by individual companies and causes, such as magazine subscriptions and voter registrations.

In most cases, general information is stored in an actual physical file, though some can be found using the Internet. However, finding these resources is not always an easy task.

How to Find Licensings and Certificates

Finding certificates can be challenging, but the more information and details you have on hand, the easier the process will be.

If you are looking for certificates that are considered vital records, which include the birth, death, marriage, and divorce information, you can start your search at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. From the CDC, you can access the government departments in each state.

If you are looking for federal government content, a search through the National Archives may be your best bet to find the general you seek.

If you are looking for information locally within your own municipality or county, your city hall or county records department is a good place to start.

How Public Records are Used

Public documents are used for a medley of purposes, ranging from genealogy research to background checks. Data is generally utilized for public planning information - such as how many people were born in a given year or how many new homes were built in a given neighborhood.

Employers can use public records to conduct a background check on potential employees, which may reveal previous convictions. This facts come in the form of court transcripts and rulings may also shed light into the background of a new significant other, helping to determine whether or not domestic violence is in a person's history.

Researchers and genealogists find these documents to be particularly relevant and helpful in tracing their ancestors and relatives.

Public records not only affect you; some are a direct matter of the government, and they can tell you just where your local politician is spending money. Others will tell you when a company issued a recall or allow you to check on the business practices of a local business.

Legal Implications

One of the most relevant laws affecting public records is the Freedom of Information Act, often abbreviated as FOIA. This act was signed into law in 1966 and has been amended several times. It essentially allows for the disclosure of unreleased information known by the government, with a few exceptions.

The exemptions are designed to protect personal rights. These exemptions include information that would be a threat to national security, would be against the rules and practices of an agency, would give away trade secrets and privileged information, would interfere with personal privacy, would interfere with a person's right to due process, and so forth.

While the Freedom of Information Act only pertains to the federal government, most states have adopted their own version of the law to apply to local governments' public records as well. You can see how the states compare through the IRE Journal.

Find Public Records: