Public records are a great source for any individual looking into some background research. It can be accessed by anyone- in some cases, you don’t have to be living in the same state in which the records are kept in order to gain access.
Public records are documents submitted to or created by government entities. There are two kinds of public records that individuals can access, government information and its activities and individual information. The focus of this article would be public records in relation to individual information.
What are public records and their uses?
It would be fairly easy to use public records to find out information about an individual. As long as you have the necessary information for the search and are looking into the right source, you’ll pull up some useful information.
Find old friends
Finding old friends who moved out of state will be easy when you used public records and the information that you already know about them, like their name, middle name, and last name. Public records are one of the best ways to keep track of people who moved away from where you live.
Check if someone is a creep
You can learn how to find out if someone is a felon and take the necessary steps to gain more information on someone who creeps you out through public records. You can look into someone’s past criminal history and current address. This will help keep you safe from potential creeps who are typing to take advantage of people who don’t know their background.
Find lost document
You can use public records to find lost documents. If you have lost your car or home title, you can search for it using an online database. This can save time and money when you’re trying to recover a crucial piece of information about your properties for tax purposes.
Choose childcare
Federal laws require childcare providers to conduct a comprehensive background check on all staff members. This means you don’t have to conduct a background check on the staff members when you’re looking for a childcare institution. However, if you’re going to hire a babysitter, searching through public records to find the perfect fit for your child is advisable.
Going through criminal records is one of the ways to help keep your home and family safe from criminals. This also helps ensure that your child is cared for in a safe and responsible manner.
Look into your background
When you’re looking for employment and have a criminal record in the past, you can access public records to check if they still appear in your records. This way, you can do the necessary steps to seal or expunge your records or prepare an explanation should it come up during the interview.
If you have been charged but not convicted is it on your record? Unfortunately the answer may be yes. That’s why looking into your own background is such an important first step.
Keep in mind that public records are available to anyone. If you can access public records to check on someone’s background, they could do the same.
Where and how to obtain public records?
There are various ways to search and obtain public records. Here is the list:
Search online databases
States have online databases available to anyone who has access to the internet. You can go to the state website and find the right agency that stores the public record that you need.
Another way to search for the online database is to go to a search engine and type the kind of public record you’re looking for and the name of the state. This will most likely yield quicker results than going through each state department or agency website.
Request for public records
If the public record you’re looking for isn’t available in online databases, you can choose to request the record. You can fill out request forms online or contact your local courthouse or clerks of court offices. Aside from the request form, you may also be required to pay a fee for the copy.
Search Tools/Apps
There are search tools or apps available online to help you search for any specific public records page. Some websites provide a free background check service while most will come with a fee for using the service.
What are the types of public records?
There are several types of public records that you can access. These include:
Criminal Records
Criminal records can show you someone’s criminal history. It includes any arrests or convictions for crimes, including felonies and misdemeanors. You can also find out the types of crime someone has been convicted of and the details surrounding it.
You can obtain criminal records through FBI Identity History Summary Checks or through state police websites. In Michigan, the state police maintain the Internet Criminal History Accesss Tool (ICHAT) which allows users to conduct a name-based search for criminal history in Michigan.
Sex offender registry
The U.S. Department of Justice maintains the database for registered sex offenders on the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW). It’s a database that allows you to check online the sex offenders living near you and nearby areas.
Divorce records
Divorce records are considered public records and are accessible to the public. However, most states will only permit the parties involved or their lawyers to access divorce decrees as these contain information like property division, child support, visitation, and other information that might violate the privacy of others.
Vital records
Divorce certificates, marriage certificates, birth certificates, and death certificates are some examples of vital records that you can access. These records are usually issued by the county recorder’s office or state vital records office.
In most states, vital records requests are available online. For example, in Nebraska, you can go to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services website, fill out the online application form with the required information, and settle the fee to obtain a copy of a birth certificate.
Previous employment and education verification
Employers check the information provided by applicants in Form I-9 to available records in government agencies, like the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
How much and how long does it take to process requests?
The fee for public records requests varies across states. Some states will only charge you for the actual copy, while some will also charge for other resources used to produce the document you requested.
There is no specific time period that a public record should be produced by government offices. However, the timeframe will largely depend on the type of public record and the number of requests that come into the agency. In some cases, you can immediately access the document after settling the fee. In some, you’ll have to wait up to 4 weeks.
Public records are a treasure trove of information about people. It can help you reconnect with old friends, find essential documents, and keep you safe. Knowing what public records are available to you and how to find them will help you protect not just yourself but your family and properties as well.
