Public Records

The different types of public records

You can access many types of public records for free from different levels of government, including federal, state, county, and city.

• Census Data

  These records help gather census data and include birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Birth and death records are also crucial in identifying residents in case of misrepresentation.

  These documents are also helpful if you want to investigate your family history. There have been examples where someone has been able to track down long-lost relatives with the help of these records. Many states have electronic access to all these documents.

• Court and Criminal Records

  The public can access court proceedings in most instances, except for certain high-profile cases. Once a case is closed, you can access the docket that summarizes the case proceedings. However, there are restrictions on the entire proceedings of the court. You can get general information such as the dates of the case, parties involved, and the case verdicts in some cases.

  These records are especially helpful for companies that conduct a criminal background check to ensure that the person they are hiring doesn't have a criminal history.

• Property Records

  These records are related to public lands, buildings, and establishments. The information related to the sale of private properties is not a part of public records. But if you want to see a real estate appraisal on a particular property, then this record is available.

  Generally, this type of information has limited online availability. You may need to visit your county or city assessors who can access such records.

• Bankruptcy Records

  In many states, bankruptcy records can be accessed by the general public. The US Bankruptcy Court, a part of the federal court system, processes these cases. Any member of the public can access bankruptcy records either online or by visiting the courthouse.

• General Safety

  As implied by the name, these records are meant to ensure the safety of the citizens. For instance, if you plan to move to a new location, you can access the Sex Offenders Registry. All 50 US states, plus the District of Columbia, have a sex offender registry open to the public.

  Other general safety records include consumer safety reports and information about recalls of certain products. The consumer safety information aims to protect citizens from the risk of injury or death by using consumer products. The products include the ones that can cause fire or an electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The list of products also includes items that can cause injury to children.

  It's also important to note that public record exemptions vary from one state to another. So, even if the document is listed as a public record, it can be difficult or impossible to access.