Public Records
Public records refer to official records that are maintained by the government and are open to the public. Such records cover a wide array of documents: court records, vital records (which include birth, death, and marriage records), real estate appraisals, census data, legislation minutes, business licenses, and more. In some states, any and every document created or received in relation to government-related public business is considered public records. Although public records are kept at all levels of government, the public records that are most commonly requested for are generally maintained at the state or county level.
Most public records are obtainable either for free or for a small administrative fee, although such details depend on both the record type and the state. Generally, the person who is named in the record as well as their immediate family will be able to access the record. Depending on the state, others may be able to obtain an "informational" copy (as opposed to a certified copy, which can be used for identification purposes), or may only be able to obtain records that are a certain number of years old.
Generally, to obtain public records, the corresponding records office for the state or county must be contacted. For vital records, there is usually a state vital records office as well as county offices that accept requests for these records. Such offices will usually have a request form that can be mailed in, and will send the record back through mail. Requesting records in this method usually takes quite some time, however, so it is prudent to call the office and ask whether they accept walk-in requests or other methods that may take less time. Contact information for vital records offices can easily be found online or through phonebooks. For court records, there is a very convenient government-run service called PACER, which provides electronic access to case documents for a per-page fee.
Birth Records
Birth records provide valuable and vital information about the details surrounding an individual’s birth. If you are attempting to obtain your own birth record or one of your ancestors, starting with the CDC or your specific state government is an effective strategy. Learn more about the different regulations and specific considerations that govern the access of public records.
Death Records
Death records contain important information about a person’s death, and they are needed in many situations for the family of the deceased, ranging from alleviating bill collection to dividing an estate. Whether you are obtaining death records to manage a recent relative’s death or want to conduct research about your ancestors, you can start with the state government to begin your search.
Divorce Records
Divorce records are an important vital record that documents the details surrounding a divorce, including the parties involved, the dates, and the terms of the divorce. To access your divorce record, contact your state government.
Genealogy Records
Genealogy records are records that provide genealogical information. The main source of these records are vital records—birth, death, marriage, and divorce records—although others may include naturalization records, adoption records, and cemetery records. The documents are usually kept by the government at the state level and access to them vary by state.
Marriage Records
Marriage records not only provide vital information, but also grant each spouse important legal rights, ranging from inheritance and benefits to medical decisions and visitation. Learn more about why marriage records are required and the full advantages to having a marriage record.
Vital Records
Vital records, which include birth, death, marriage, and divorce records, are used for identification purposes as well as for family tree research. These records are usually collected and maintained at the state level by the state’s vital statistics office. Although the details of the process depend on the state, these records are usually easily accessible by submitting a request to the vital statistics office and paying a small fee.
Dig Deeper to Find More Information with Public Records - There are three main laws that are important to understanding what and how government records are made available to the public: The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Privacy Act of 1974, and the Electronic Freedom of Information Act (E-FOIA).
The History on Public Records - Public records are collected and maintained by government agencies at all levels. However, most public records that are commonly used, such as vital records or court records, are generally managed by state and county-level government agencies.