Author Archives: admin9
Author Archives: admin9
Records have been kept on various events and people for decades. However, those records weren’t always public.
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which dates back to 1967, was the first time the public could access records that were once kept private.
Since then, each state has created its FOIA. Each state has different rules, so it’s essential to know the state’s law before requesting any documents.
Overall, Connecticut’s law is relatively straightforward with basic exemptions. All state agencies and any public agency are subject to the law. The state also has a quick response time when a request is submitted and an appeals process if a request is denied.
Connecticut public records are maintained across several departments and they include:
The Connecticut public records law says all government agencies are subject to the law, with exemptions only for the judicial branch regarding judge’s records and dockets.
Additional exemptions focus on documents that could reveal personal information or records that contain safety measures, like those taken inside a jail.
The public records must be released to any requestor within four days. The request must either be fulfilled, denied, or extended.
If a request for state records is denied, there is an appeal process. The state does have strong enforcement of the law, stating that any records keeper that denies a reasonable request can be fined or even serve jail time.
For public records access in Connecticut, a person must submit a public records request. The request is sent via mail, email, or phone to the record-holding department.
Every department is different, so expect some variation to the rules if you’re accessing records from multiple places.
In general, a public records request should include:
The Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification maintains criminal records or criminal histories, statewide.
Criminal records are usually requested by employers looking to vet a new candidate. For a fee, the employer can run a background check, which looks into a person’s criminal past, if there is one.
A criminal record, or criminal history, provides a detailed report of a person’s interactions with law enforcement. Most motor vehicle cases are not listed on a criminal record.
Arrest records typically feature details of the alleged crime as well as:
The Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification holds all criminal records. Unlike other states that have an online searchable database, in Connecticut, the public records search must be requested by filling out a form and mailing it in.
You can use this request form and mail it to the State Bureau of Identification in Middleton.
There is a fee to request these records. If you want a complete record, a person must go to a state office and be fingerprinted. Accessing this kind of record is the most expensive, at $75.
Connecticut State Police
1111 Country Club Rd
Middletown, CT 06457
Phone number: 860-685-8190
Every state keeps records on those incarcerated. In Connecticut, there are records on its 13,000 inmates scattered in jails and prisons across the state.
Inmate records can be accessed for various reasons. Family members may be looking for an incarcerated family member, or a victim may want to remain informed about an attacker.
An inmate record in the state of Connecticut usually offers a person’s criminal history and the following information:
The Connecticut State Department of Corrections maintains records on inmates.
The records are searchable online and can be accessed at any time, without any formal request. The database can be searched by entering a person’s first name, last name, and date of birth.
The Connecticut State Department of Corrections
24 Wolcott Hill Rd
Wethersfield, CT 06109
Phone number: 860-692-7480
The State of Connecticut Judicial Branch and the Secretary of State maintains all court records.
Connecticut offers an online database to search for documents, although some may not contain the complete records you’re looking for. If information is missing, you’ll need to reach out to the state with a request form.
The information on a court record can vary, but in Connecticut, most people are looking for these specific documents:
You can access Connecticut court records using The State of Connecticut Judicial Branch website.
Some of the public court records you can access include:
If requesting a court record in person or by mail, you will need to contact the court that handled the case and request the specific form.
Example – New Haven District Court
The District of New Haven the United States District Court website
Richard C. Lee United States Courthouse
141 Church Street
New Haven, CT 06510
Phone number: 203-773-2140
The Connecticut State Vital Records Office maintains vital records statewide.
Connecticut public vital records include:
Public vital records requests will vary depending on the document you are trying to access.
The Request for Certified Copy of a Birth Record from the State form will ask you for specific information:
You can obtain a certified copy of a Connecticut birth certificate by completing the Request for a Certified Copy of a Birth Record form from the State and submitting it by mail.
Or, you can request one online using VitalChek.
A certified birth certificate is $30 per copy.
410 Capital Avenue, MS #11VRS
PO Box 340308
Hartford, Ct 06134
Phone number: 860-757-9690
You can submit a birth certificate request with your local Vital Records Office. You will complete the Request for Certified Copy of a Birth Record From the Town and submit it by mail or in person.
The Request for a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate form requires specific information:
You can obtain a certified copy of a Connecticut death record by completing the Request for a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate form and submitting it by mail or in person.
Or, you can request one online using VitalChek.
The fee for a certified Connecticut death record is $20 per copy.
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Vital Records Section
Customer Service, MS# 11 VRS
P.O. Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Phone number: 860-757-9690
You can submit a birth certificate request with your local Vital Records Office. You will complete the Request for Certified Copy of a Death Record form and submit it by mail or in person.
The Request for a Certified Copy of Marriage form will ask you for specific information:
You can obtain a certified copy of a Connecticut marriage record by completing the Request for a Certified Copy of a Marriage form and submitting it by mail or in person.
Or, you can request one online using VitalChek.
The fee for a certified Connecticut marriage certificate is $20 per copy.
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Vital Records Section
Customer Service, MS# 11 VRS
P.O. Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Phone number: 860-757-9690
You can submit a birth certificate request with your local Vital Records Office. You will complete the Request for Certified Copy of a Marriage form and submit it by mail or in person.
The Connecticut Superior Court maintains divorce records in the state.
Public request forms and case lookups will differ depending on the jurisdiction.
Divorce records in Connecticut are maintained by the State Superior Court.
You will need to contact the Superior Court that the marriage was dissolved.
Connecticut property records are maintained by the Town Clerk’s Office.
The information on a public property record will differ depending on what you’re specifically requesting access to:
You will need to contact your local Town Clerk’s office to obtain the property forms and inquire about fees.
You will need to contact the Town Clerk’s office in the jurisdiction where the public property record exists.
Example – Hamden County
Hamden County Land Records Search
Hamden Government Center
2750 Dixwell Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
Phone number: 203-287-7000
Any United States citizen can request Connecticut public records.
An ombudsperson from the Freedom of Information Commission (FOIC) can act as a liaison on an appeal and mediate between you and the agency.
Connecticut lists 25 specific exemptions.
In other words, there are 25 reasons for a record to remain sealed and not open to the public. Documents that contain personal or medical information, public security, trade secrets, real estate appraisals, financial statements of agency employees, training manuals used by the Department of Corrections, and some law enforcement records may be exempt.
The state has four days to respond to a request. They can fulfill it, deny it, or ask for an extension of time.
The records requester has 30 days to appeal a denial of records. The FOIC can hear the appeal. If it’s denied by the FOIC, the case can be taken to the Connecticut Superior Court.
There are fees for copying records, which range between .25 and .50 per page.
No other fees are authorized except charges at actual cost to the agency for transcription and electronic records.
Searching for public records is not always a simple task. In some cases, the records are not available to the public. In others, they are kept by different departments and require some significant digging.
However, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) does give citizens the right to access records.
Every state has different processes, so it’s essential to know the state’s law before requesting any documents.
The Kansas Open Records Act states that you can request public documents in Kansas without explaining why you want them, staff in departments are allowed to decline your request if it places an “unreasonable burden” on their department.
Governmental agencies can also reject your request for a public record if it feels it’s “designed to disrupt the follow of the workings of the government.”
To learn more about the public records law, visit the state website at www.Kansas.gov.
A person must submit a public records request for public records access in Kansas. The request can be sent via mail, email, or phone to the record-holding department.
Every department is different, so expect some variation to the rules if you access records from multiple places.
In general, a public records request should include:
Many of the criminal records checks requested in Kansas are done by employers seeking a background check on potential employees.
If you are an employer researching a prospective employee’s (potential) criminal history, use this guide to gather information about the process. Kansas-specific resources are also included.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) maintains criminal records in the state.
Sometimes called a “rap sheet,” a criminal record summarizes someone’s criminal history. These records are prepared by state and local law enforcement agencies, detention facilities, and courts.
In Kansas, the document will list the person’s interactions with the law, and the following information will be provided to you:
The Kansas Bureau of Identification administers background checks in Kansas. Record checks are fee-based, but the fee and the information released will vary depending on Kansas statutes and regulations.
The Kansas Central Repository allows you to search criminal records by name or fingerprint. You must use the Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s blank fingerprint card to submit a fingerprint.
You can obtain the following types of conviction criminal history information on adults:
Kansas state prisons have approximately 10,000 inmates. According to Prison Policy Initiatives, this is near the national average for prisoners per 100,000 people.
The Kansas Department of Corrections maintains inmate records in the state.
You can obtain information on any Kansas inmate who is currently incarcerated, under post-incarceration supervision, or who has been discharged from a sentence.
However, you cannot use the state’s database to get information on inmates sent to Kansas under the provisions of the interstate compact agreement.
Public information on inmates includes:
You will search the Kansas Adult Supervised Population Electronic Repository (KASPER) for the inmate record you are trying to access.
The searchable site will require you to enter one or more pieces of information into the search fields like a name or KDOC number.
You can also use the advanced search option, which lets you filter by additional information, such as race, age, gender, facility, and more.
Barring any exemptions from disclosure, anyone can obtain court records in Kansas.
The Kansas Judicial Branch has gradually transitioned to a new centralized case management system, which is expected to be complete by early 2022.
In the meantime, you can still find and request many court records online through their district website.
The most commonly requested court records in Kansas include:
Until the entire Kansas court system is added into the centralized case management system, your best bet for finding court records in the state is to review the Kansas Courts website.
You can find links to search for court records and request documents. There is also a search box to help you find district court records by county or district.
Before you get started, it will help to understand how the court system works in the state.
To search for cases by the judicial district, you will be directed to the Kansas Office of Judicial Administration. You can search by record number or name.
Your results will only contain case information, not a complete filing record.
To obtain additional information on a case, you will need to contact the County Clerk where the case is filed.
To search for cases brought before the Kansas Supreme Court and the Kansas Court of Appeals, you must use the Kansas Appellate Courts’ Case Inquiry System.
You can search by name, appellate case number, or the county where the case originated.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment maintains public vital records in the state.
Kansas public vital records include:
Kansas vital records requests will be different depending on the agency you are making the request.
Office of Vital Statistics
1000 SW Jackson St #120
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone number: 785-296-1400
The Application for a Certified Copy of Kansas Birth Certificate will require specific details.
You can request a birth record online using VitalChek or by completing the Application for Certified Copy of Kansas Birth Certificate and submitting it in person or by mail.
You can also request a birth certificate in Kansas by phone.
Kansas Division of Public Health
877-305-8315
The cost for a certified birth certificate in Kansas is $15 per copy.
The Application for a Certified Copy of Kansas Death Certificate will require specific details.
You can request a death record online using VitalChek or by completing the Application for Certified Copy of Kansas Death Certificate and submitting it in person or by mail.
You can also call the Division of Public Health to request a certified copy of a death record.
Kansas Division of Public Health
877-305-8315
The price for a certified death record is $15 in Kansas.
The Application for Certified Copy of Kansas Marriage Certificate requires specific information:
You can request a marriage record online using VitalChek or by completing the Application for Certified Copy of Kansas Marriage Certificate and submitting it in person or by mail.
You can also call the Division of Public Health to request a certified copy of a marriage certificate.
Kansas Division of Public Health
877-305-8315
The price for a certified marriage record is $15 in Kansas.
The Application for Certified Copy of Kansas Divorce Certificate requires specific information:
You can request a divorce record online using VitalChek or by completing the Application for Certified Copy of Kansas Divorce Certificate and submitting it in person or by mail.
You can also call the Division of Public Health to request a certified copy of a divorce decree.
Kansas Division of Public Health
877-305-8315
The price for a certified death record is $15 in Kansas.
The County Appraiser maintains property records in Kansas.
The property records you can access include:
Public property record requests differ depending on the county you are requesting the documents from.
Contact your clerk’s office for fees, processes, and office hours.
You will contact your local County Appraiser to access public property records.
Example – Russell County
Russell County Appraiser’s Office
1 Courthouse Sq.
Liberty, MO 64068
Phone number: 816-407-3550
Fax: 816-407-3551
Many Kansas records are considered public, meaning that residents of any state may request them; some records are limited in who is eligible to request them.
You may need to get legal representation, provide proof of your relationship to the person of record, or explain why you are justified in doing a record search.
An agent must designate a local Freedom of Information Act officer to resolve the dispute.
There are 55 exemptions to the Kansas Open Records Act. Many exemptions deal with personal information, like medical records or adoption records.
Records that pertain to security protocols, criminal investigations, and trade secrets are also exempt from public access.
The state of Kansas has three days to respond to a request.
Suppose you feel your records request was unfairly denied.
In that case, you can appeal to the Kansas Court of Appeals or the corresponding Clerk of the District Court.
Public agencies typically charge “reasonable” fees to provide access to or copies of public records. The fees vary depending on the factors involved in researching and providing that specific record.
If you have ever tried to run a public records search for any records, you have probably noticed that the process is not precisely streamlined. Different departments keep records, some are not approved for the public, and some are just plain hard to find.
However, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) does give citizens the right to access records.
Every state has different processes, so it’s essential to know the state’s law before requesting any documents.
The Delaware Freedom of Information Act gives residents access to public documents. The requests are to be met within 15 days.
However, if a request is denied, there is no appeals process. In other words, if a request for records is turned down, the law does not offer any way to fight the decision.
There are certain exemptions specified in the law. As with other states, public safety and security records are exempt from public viewing.
Any records created by the General Assembly, or the legislature of the state, cannot be accessed publicly either.
For public records access in Delaware, a person must submit a public records request. The request can be sent via mail, email, or phone to the record-holding department.
Every department is different, so expect some variation to the rules if you access records from multiple places.
In general, a public records request should include:
In Delaware, criminal records are most commonly accessed by employers who want to run a background check on a potential employee.
The State Police maintains criminal records in Delaware.
A criminal record provides a detailed record of a person’s interactions with law enforcement. Traffic violations and misdemeanors may not be on the criminal history.
More specifically, a criminal record or a background check will provide the following information:
The State Bureau of Identification (SBI) handles background check requests in Delaware. The SBI provides certified criminal history reports to requestors through fingerprint cards only, not name searches.
This measure provides privacy protection for everyone. Since fingerprints are required to initiate a background search, a person can consent for one to be conducted. There are not any criminal records provided without a person’s prior knowledge.
The state of Delaware has about 3,500 inmates within its corrections system. Inmate records can provide information on current inmates that are behind bars.
The information listed on an inmate record varies. However, in Delaware, the records usually contain personal information and specific details about a person’s incarceration situation.
Public access to inmate records can provide the following information when accessed:
The Delaware Department of Corrections website has information. It links to help you locate offenders and a great deal of information for victims and advocates.
You will need to know the person’s Offender ID or first name and last name to search.
Court records can provide a wealth of information from court proceedings. For those looking to access court records, there are resources listed below.
It is important to remember that court records can be difficult to access since they are often held in different courts.
In most cases, court records are quite large and come with many different documents. Most people find the following documents the most helpful:
The Delaware court system is relatively compact as there are only three counties in the state. However, the types of records you wish to gain access to will determine where you need to go. The administrator of the courts is the place to start.
If the case is civil, you can access docket information and some records online through their CourtConnect website.
The Delaware Courts can also provide some direction.
To request documents from the proper court, you will need a basic understanding of how the court system works in the state. The Supreme Court is the highest authority and presides over the Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals has authority over lower courts, including three superior courts or trial courts within the three counties (Delaware County, New Castle County, and Sussex County) in Delaware.
There are other tiers of court in the state that are worth noting. These tiers include the Justice of the Peace Court, the Court of Common Pleas, Family Court, Court of Chancery, and the Administrative Office of the Courts.
For those having trouble finding the records they are looking for, you can send a request for records to The Renaissance Centre, which is located in Wilmington.
The Division of Public Health and Office of Vital Statistics maintains public vital records in Delaware.
Delaware vital records include:
Delaware vital records requests are different depending on what document you are attempting to obtain.
Division of Public Health and Office of Vital Statistics
Jesse S. Cooper Bldg.
655 S Bay Rd
Dover, DE 19901
302-672-9500
Chopin Building
258 Chapman Rd.
Neward, DE 19702
302-283-7130
Thurman Adams State Serv. Center
546 S. Bedford Street
Georgetown, DE 19947
302-856-5495
The Application for a Certified Copy of a Delaware Birth Certificate will ask for specific details.
You can access a Delaware birth certificate online using GoCertificates or VitalChek.
Or, you can complete the Application for a Certified Copy of a Delaware Birth Certificate and submit it by mail or in person.
The cost for a Delaware birth certificate is $25 per certified copy.
The Application for a Certified Copy of a Delaware Death Certificate will ask for specific details.
You can access a Delaware death record online using GoCertificates or VitalChek.
Or, you can complete the Application for a Certified Copy of a Delaware Death Certificate request form and submit it by mail or in person.
The cost for a Delaware death certificate is $25 per certified copy.
The Application for a Certified Copy of a Delaware Marriage Certificate will ask for specific information.
You can access a Delaware marriage certificate online using GoCertificates or VitalChek.
Or, you can complete the Application for a Certified Copy of a Delaware Marriage Certificate request form and submit it by mail or in person.
The cost for a Delaware marriage record is $25 per certified copy.
The information on your Delaware public records request will include.
You can access Delaware divorce records online using the Delaware Divorce Records Search.
Delaware public property records and public voter registration information are maintained by the County Recorder’s Office.
The details on a public property record will vary depending on what documents you are requesting.
Public property records requests in Delaware will differ depending on the document you are accessing and the County Recorder’s Office processes.
You will need to contact the County Recorder’s Office in the jurisdiction of the Delaware property record to ask about forms, fees, and processes.
Example – Sussex County
Sussex County Property Requests
2 The Circle
P.O. Box 827
Georgetown, DE 19947
302-855-7785
The law says that only Delaware residents can submit public records requests.
However, other agencies and citizens of other states have requested records and have received them.
Delaware doesn’t have one designated person in any government agency that handles public records.
The Delaware FOIA spells out 16 specific exemptions.
The exemptions focus on privacy for students, medical patients, law enforcement investigations, trade secrets, weapons permit carriers, and all records about labor negotiations.
Records created by the General Assembly are also exempt from the law.
Delaware has 15 days to respond to a request.
Some states don’t specify a timeline, but Delaware does.
The state does not have an outlined appeals process for denied requests. A person can petition the Attorney General if they believe their request was denied incorrectly. The Delaware Attorney General will make a decision one way or another.
While some states specify how much is charged per record or the cost to copy records, Delaware state law says that fees can be changed to cover the expenses of copying records.
Vermont started keeping records back in 1776 in all 14 counties. Property records were some of the first records kept, but they grew to births, death, and marriages.
Over the years, the records have gone from paper files to digital files, which makes them easier to access.
Those needing to access records have a right to submit a request through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Every state has different processes, so it’s essential to know the state’s law before requesting any documents.
Under the state’s Vermont Records Laws, the Department of Public Service must provide access to its records unless specific exemptions are stated otherwise.
The Public Records Act in Vermont resulted from the Watergate scandal and ensures that free and open examination of records held by state agencies is met, transparency and accountability are practiced, and government agencies practice better decision-making procedures to recognize the rights of individuals to privacy.
There are some records created by the Vermont legislature and judicial branches that the state has deemed exempt from public access.
Vermont Attorney General has ruled in favor of keeping these legislative records sealed.
Under the law, there is a stated time frame with a list of procedures to be adhered to, authorizing any aggrieved person the ability to make a challenge in court if denied access to records.
The Vermont Supreme Court has liberally construed this law, noting that the requester’s identity is irrelevant when it comes to deciding whether or not to provide documents.
In some cases, government records can be found online.
In other cases, a public records request must be sent via email, mail, or phone to the record-holding department.
Every department is different, so expect some variation to the rules if you’re accessing records from multiple places.
In general, a public records request should include:
More information can be found on the state website, Vermont.gov.
In Vermont, criminal records are most typically utilized by employers who are executing background checks on potential employees.
The Vermont Criminal Conviction Record Internet Service maintains criminal records in Vermont.
A criminal record provides a detailed record of a person’s interactions with law enforcement.
These records are pulled from various sources and include arrest records, convictions, and incarcerations within the state’s four prisons.
The criminal record you receive will provide you with this pertinent information:
The criminal records in Vermont are official documents provided through the Vermont Criminal Conviction Record Internet Service, a division of the Vermont Criminal Conviction Record Internet Service.
Under this service, users can purchase criminal conviction records from the Vermont Crime Information Center.
The information contained in these files is usually gathered from several sources and is then organized in personal record depositories available to the general public for a criminal background report.
Criminal records include any misdemeanor and felony crimes and any subsequent arrests, indictments, and convictions of their alleged involvement.
A request for criminal conviction history records costs $30 each, which is non-refundable, whether or not a records search produces any actual documents.
Inmate records in Vermont consist of offenders incarcerated within the state and correctional facilities, detailing inmate-specific data like sentencing, offense class, parish information, and the inmate’s location.
The Department of Corrections maintains inmate records in Vermont.
The information listed on an inmate record varies, but in Vermont, the records usually contain personal information and specific details about a person’s incarceration situation.
Conducting a public records search can provide the following information on an inmate:
You will use the Agency of Human Services Department of Corrections inmate locator to access the inmate record.
Released offenders can also be found utilizing this tool.
Court records in the state of Vermont contain a wealth of information that is produced via the court system across the state. Those requesting court records can use the resources below to ensure the most efficient methods.
Keep in mind that documents can be hard to access as they are typically held across several state courts within Vermont.
In most cases, court records are pretty large and come with varying documents. Most people find these documents the most helpful:
The majority of records in the state of Vermont Judicial Bureau are held at the local court clerk’s office, but many cases can be found online.
Vermont Judiciary via VT Courts Online was developed by the Vermont Judiciary to allow requesters to access public information through the internet.
Anyone can search for a case-by-case docket number, the litigant’s name in a case, or court calendars through this portal.
Currently, only civil division cases are accessible to the general public. For other cases, like those heard in superior courts, you need to request records from the court clerk.
The Vermont Department of Health Vital Records Section maintains vital records in the state.
Vermont’s vital records include:
Public record requests for vital records in Vermont will vary depending on the document you are requesting.
Vermont Department of Health Vital Records Section
Vermont Department of Health
Vital Records Section
P.O. Box 70
108 Cherry Street
Burlington, VT 05402-0070
The Application for Certified Copy of Vermont Birth Certificate will ask for specific information when ordering a birth record.
You can order a Vermont birth certificate online using the Vital Records Request Service.
Or, you can request a certified copy of a Vermont birth record by completing the Application for Certified Copy of Vermont Birth Certificate and submitting it by mail or in person.
The cost of a certified birth certificate in Vermont is $10.
The Application for Certified Copy of Vermont Death Certificate will ask for specific information when ordering a copy of a death record.
You can order a Vermont death certificate online using the Vital Records Request Service.
Or, you can request a certified copy of a Vermont death record by completing the Application for Certified Copy of Vermont Death Certificate and submitting it by mail or in person.
The cost of a certified death certificate in Vermont is $10.
The Application for Certified Copy of Vermont Marriage or Civil Union Certificate will ask for specific information when requesting a marriage record.
You can order a Vermont marriage certificate online using the Vital Records Request Service.
Or, you can request a certified copy of a Vermont marriage record by completing the Mail Application for Marriage Record and submitting it by mail or in person.
The cost of a certified marriage certificate in Vermont is $10.
You can also contact the Town or City Clerk where the marriage took place. Forms, fees, and office hours vary.
The Application for Certified Copy of Vermont Divorce or Dissolution Certificate will ask for specific information when requesting a divorce certificate in Vermont.
You can order a Vermont divorce certificate online using the Vital Records Request Service.
Or, you can request a certified copy of a Vermont divorce record by completing the Application for Certified Copy of Vermont Divorce or Dissolution Certificate and submitting it by mail or in person.
The cost of a certified divorce certificate in Vermont is $10.
You can also contact the Family Court that granted the divorce. Forms, fees, and office hours vary.
Example – Addison County District Court Family Division
7 Mahady Ct
Middlebury, VT 05753
Phone number: 802-388-4237
The Town Clerk or County Recorder of Deeds maintains all property records in Vermont.
The property records you can access include:
For data, parcel, and land use maps, you will need to contact the Geographic Information System(GIS) to ask about public access.
You will need basic information to access a public property record in Vermont.
Forms, fees, and office hours will vary depending on the Town Clerk or County Recorder where the property record is maintained.
You will need to contact the City Clerk or County Recorder of Deeds where the property record is maintained.
Example – Bennington Town Clerk Office
Town of Bennington Land Records
205 South Street
Po Box 469
Bennington, VT 05201
Anyone can conduct a public records search, whether you live in Burlington, Montpelier, New York City, or nowhere near a New England State.
Vermont public records laws do not mandate a records custodian.
With 40 general exemptions, Vermont works under the more specific type and is construed rather narrowly.
Most of these are common throughout the state’s Freedom of Information laws.
Agencies in Vermont have two business days to respond to any requests, although this can be extended by ten days with a written notification.
However, Vermont’s public records law says a requester must be able to show that without litigation, the records would not likely be disclosed, plus any public benefits associated with the release of the documents.
It is advisable to appeal sooner as overturning an appeal is slimmer after two years.
There are nominal fees associated with requesting public records in Vermont, with staff time fees kicking in after half an hour of search time.
A public agency can only charge the actual cost to reproduce documents.
You can access the Vermont State Archives through the Vermont Secretary of State.
To request public records in Maine, you need to know how the process works. Every state differs in handling its public records requests, but Maine is pretty straightforward.
Most states typically have a list of private documents. For instance, government employee salaries and juvenile records are not public record.
Those needing to access records have a right to submit a request through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Every state has different processes, so it’s essential to know the state’s law before requesting any documents.
Maine agencies are generally described as helpful and responsive for public records searches.
Anyone can request public records in the state of Maine. While some states only allow state residents to request records, Maine does not.
Under the Maine Freedom of Access Act, government agencies have five days to respond to requests.
If the request is denied or rejected, a notice must be sent within five business days from the date of submission.
If a request is denied, the public records act does not provide an administrative way to appeal the decision.
Instead, appeals must be made within 30 days of the Superior Court‘s denial.
There are some exemptions to records within Maine; they are specific and mandatory exemptions that have been outlined in the law or mentioned in statutes.
If any record is redacted or withheld, the state agency must provide a reason for it.
The most significant exemption in the Public Records Act is the judicial branch of government.
Maine.gov has more information on the public records act.
Some records are readily available online, but other state records require an official records request. The request can be sent by mail, email, or phone to the corresponding department.
Every department is different, so expect some variation to the rules if you access records from multiple places.
In general, a public records request should include:
An individual’s criminal history record is available to the community and general public 24 hours a day/7 days a week, with some restrictions on how information can be released.
Individuals can request public criminal history records maintained by the Maine State Police.
A criminal record provides a detailed record of a person’s history with law enforcement. It may not include traffic violations and misdemeanors.
These records are pulled from various sources and include arrest records, convictions, and incarcerations within the state’s prisons.
More specifically, a criminal record or a background check will provide the following information:
Maine’s criminal background checks are executed by the Maine State Police, Maine State Bureau of Identification.
You will search the InforME criminal record database. It produces criminal records reports exclusively for the state of Maine.
A name-based or a fingerprint-based check can be ordered, with a name-based report possible by request for anyone, with or without consent.
The Maine Criminal History Record and Juvenile Crime Information Request Service is an online service that provides electronic access to criminal history records and juvenile crime information maintained by the Maine State Police and the State Bureau of Identification.
Through these records, you have 24-hour access to all the conviction and adjudication information for adult and juvenile crimes committed within the State of Maine that is currently on record, including pending issues that are less than one year old.
Criminal history requests are only accessible for up to 30 days. After 30 days, the records are no longer considered valid, and a new request is necessary.
For general public or non-governmental entities, there is a fee of $31 ($21 for inforME subscribers within the state of Maine) to process requests for criminal history records or juvenile crime information records.
This fee is required for any records searches and does not depend on the search results in question. The fee remains the same for a name-based check or fingerprint-based check.
The state of Maine has about 5,000 inmates within its corrections system.
Inmate records can provide information on current inmates housed within any correctional facility within the state.
Inmate records are maintained by the State of Maine Department of Corrections.
The information on inmate records varies from state to state; in Maine, the records usually contain personal information and specific details about a person’s incarceration situation. Public access to inmate records can provide the following information when accessed:
Information on inmates can be accessed via the Maine Department of Corrections, which has its page to search for inmate records. Using the portal, you can find an inmate’s address, case number, and expected release date.
The Maine Adult Prisoner/Probationer Search Service is free for everyone.
It is the most convenient way to search for inmate records in the Maine Department of Corrections system. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is updated every day.
Note that minors are not included in this search service.
Those making requests should also know that the information provided from this service is not a complete criminal history, which must be obtained through the online Public Criminal History Request service.
All court records in Maine are maintained by either state or local governments and can be accessed and disseminated to the public, providing complete documentation of allegations, affidavits, and proceedings taken in a court of law.
The judicial branch in Maine maintains public court records.
In most cases, court records are quite extensive and come with varying documents.
Most people find the following documents the most helpful:
The State of Maine Judicial Branch has a new system for criminal and civil search requests. A case number must be presented to obtain documents on a person.
The procedures listed below are applicable for Maine’s District Courts, Superior Courts, and Violation Bureau records:
The Maine CDC Vital Records Office maintains public vital records in the state.
Maine public vital records include:
Public record requests for vital records will be different depending on the document you are ordering.
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
11 State House Station
220 Capitol Street
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
The birth certificate request form will require specific details.
You can order a Maine birth certificate online by using VitalCheck.
Or, you can request a certified copy of a Maine birth record by completing the appropriate form and submitting it by mail or in person.
The cost of a certified birth certificate in Maine is $15.
You can order a non-certified birth record for $10.
The death record request form will ask for specific information.
You can order a Maine death certificate online using VitalCheck.
Or, you can obtain a Maine death record by completing the appropriate request form and submitting it in person or by mail.
The cost of a certified death certificate in Maine is $15. You can order a non-certified death record for $10.
The marriage certificate request form will ask for specific information.
You can order a Maine marriage certificate online using VitalCheck.
Or, you can obtain a Maine marriage record by completing the appropriate request form and submitting it in person or by mail.
The cost of a certified marriage license in Maine is $15.
The divorce record request form will ask for specific information.
You can order a Maine divorce certificate online using VitalCheck.
Or, you can obtain a Maine divorce record by completing the appropriate request form and submitting it in person or by mail.
The cost of a certified divorce decree in Maine is $15.
The Registrar of Deeds maintains public property records in Maine.
The property records you can access include:
Public property record requests are different depending on the information you are requesting.
You will need to contact the Registrar of Deeds in the jurisdiction of the record to inquire about the appropriate forms, fees, and office hours.
Example – Kennebec County Registrar of Deeds
Kennebec County Registry of Deeds
77 Winthrop Street
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone number: (207) 622-0431
In Maine, there is no law dictating a residency requirement.
In Maine, there is no single custodian of records.
There are more than 300 statutory exemptions to the Freedom of Access Act’s definition of what constitutes a public record. Many of these exceptions focus on personal information, medical information, and public safety information.
It takes Maine up to five days to answer a public records request.
If it takes longer to access government records, you report it to the Maine Secretary of State.
The appeals process can be made to the Superior Court in the county where you live.
Per Maine laws, each person has the right to review and challenge their criminal history record information.
Suppose someone disagrees with any information contained on a record. In that case, it is possible to contact the State Bureau of Identification by person or mail to request an amendment or correction of the criminal history record.
The request should indicate the record in question, the nature of the correction sought, and the justification for the amendment.
Fees cover copies and no search exceeds $15 a copy regardless of the state government agency.
Whether you are working on a school project to trace your family tree, need proof of divorce, or do background checks on applicants for your company, Nevada public records can help you get the information you need.
Those needing to access records have a right to submit a request through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Every state has different processes, so it’s essential to know the state’s law before requesting any documents.
The Nevada Public Records Act provides a way for residents and non-residents to access public records of any governmental entity, including books and records.
Nevada used Nevada Revised Statutes to update the state’s Public Records Act in 2000. It applies to government agencies and any subdivision of the state, including schools, university foundations, and other entities that serve a role in the government.
Although there are some exceptions to the Nevada Public Records Act, they are pretty standard limitations that you will find in other states under the Freedom of Information Act.
In most cases, there is no need to explain why you want the records. Nevada provides a public template to help requestors obtain information on the Freedom of Information Act.
There are several ways to request a public record, including email, fax, phone, or postal mail.
Although it is also possible to request Nevada public records in person, you will need to contact the office you are submitting the request for forms, fees, and office hours.
The Nevada Department of Public Safety Records, Communications, and Compliance Division maintains all Nevada criminal records.
The information is collected from agencies of criminal justice. It includes arrests, detention, indictments, and the status of an offender on parole or probation, among other things.
A criminal record is a “rap sheet” that contains criminal activity within Nevada’s jurisdiction. The detailed information is available to the person of record or through criminal background checks. Information concerning juveniles is not available.
A criminal record provides a detailed summary of that person’s criminal activity within the state jurisdiction.
This information covers arrests, criminal offenses, indictments, convictions, and, in some cases, incarceration details.
Depending on the scope, a background check may reveal any/all of the following:
You will visit Nevada’s VINELink to access the criminal record.
A simple search by name (or ID number) will provide you with basic information on an offender or defendant.
Although you don’t need to register to search, registering on the site will display the full date of birth and ID number of an offender.
While the site was designed to empower victims of crimes with information, it’s available for anyone to use.
Results show offenders who are currently in custody or who may have been recently released. It does not include federal inmates or those in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
The results of a VINE search will provide the following results:
You can also sign up for notifications to be alerted when something changes with the offender’s status.
The State of Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC) maintains three facilities, including 11 conservation camps, nine correctional facilities, and two transitional housing centers.
Although searches for inmate records can be done through the NDOC inmate search portal, copies of public records can be requested.
There are some nominal fees associated with requesting a copy of the public book or record. However, the requestor will be notified in advance prior to the request being honored.
Public records are available on most Nevada inmates who are currently incarcerated or released.
Search results of inmate records will provide the following information:
You will visit the State of Nevada Department of Corrections inmate search to access the inmate record.
As a general rule, only offenders who have received a sentence of incarceration in a Nevada state prison will be in the state records.
Although the information on parolees is available, it may not be current. Those serving probation or who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or sentencing may not be included.
To find information on someone who has been arrested by not sentenced, contact the city or county where they were arrested.
To search the inmate database, use the offender’s first and last name or the person’s Offender ID number.
With some relatively standard exceptions, most court records in Nevada are available to the public through a simple online search.
There are three trial courts in Nevada: municipal, justice, and district.
Municipal courts tend to handle the small stuff, such as ordinance violations, misdemeanors, and traffic violations. Justice courts deal with small claims, landlord/tenant disputes, misdemeanors in their jurisdictions, and some other civil, criminal, and domestic relations cases.
However, district courts usually preside over criminal cases that include felonies, gross misdemeanors, and other cases outside specific jurisdiction courts.
Court records are typically large information files and can include documents from several courts, depending on the case. It can contain all court transcripts and information on all actions in a case.
A court record includes the following:
To conduct a records search for court records, you will need to go through the court where the case was heard.
Although there is a Nevada Supreme Court and Appellate Courts, you will most likely be searching individual Nevada District Courts to find court records.
Some courts do provide searchable online databases, but others will require you to submit a request in writing or in person.
If you must request a record in person, speak with the county clerk and be prepared to provide case information along with your contact information so records can be delivered to you.
The Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) maintains vital records in Nevada.
Nevada’s vital records include:
Public record requests for vital records will vary depending on the document you are requesting
Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH)
Office of Vital Records
4150 Technology Way, Suite 104
Carson City, NV 89706
Phone number: 775-684-4242
The Application for Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate will ask for specific information when ordering a birth record.
You can order a Nevada birth certificate online by using VitalCheck.
Or, you can request a certified copy of a Nevada birth record by completing the Application for Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate and submitting it by mail or in person.
The cost of a certified birth certificate in Nevada is $25 per copy.
The Application for a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate will ask for specific details when ordering a death record.
You can order a Nevada death certificate online by using VitalCheck.
Or, you can request a certified copy of a Nevada death record by completing the Application for a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate and submitting it by mail or in person.
The cost of a certified death certificate in Nevada is $25 for the following counties:
The cost of a certified death record is $22 in every other county in Nevada.
The County Recorder maintains marriage records in Nevada.
The basic information you will need to include with your marriage certificate request is:
You will need to contact the County Recorder’s office where the marriage license was issued to inquire about forms, fees, and office hours.
The County Clerk maintains divorce records in Nevada.
The basic information you will need to include with your divorce decree request includes:
You will need to contact the County Clerk’s office where the marriage license was issued to inquire about forms, fees, and office hours.
The Assessor’s Office maintains property records in Nevada.
The property records you can access include:
For data, parcel, and tax maps, you will need to contact the Geographic Information System(GIS) to ask about public access.
Public property record requests are different depending on the information you are requesting.
You will need to contact your local Assessor’s Office for forms, fees, and office hours.
You will need to contact the Assessor’s Office to access a public property record in Nevada.
Example – Clark County Assessor
Clark County Assessor Property Records Forms
500 S Grand Central Pkwy
Suite 2091
Las Vegas, NV
Phone number: 702-455-3882
Nevada law does not require residency for members of the public to submit public records requests.
Although the law requires the appointment of an employee at each agency to serve as the records office for the entity, they do not have the legal authority to designate a records custodian formally.
You can find a complete list of exemptions for requested records.
Although state agencies have five business days to respond, they can also provide the requester with written notification of why the record is not yet available by the deadline and when it will be.
You can report any time violations to the Nevada Secretary of State.
Although there is no administrative appeal option, you can take court action at the county district court where the request was made.
Nevada law allows agencies to charge fees, but they cannot exceed the actual costs to provide the record, and fees top out at $.50 per page.
Every Landlord has faced the question before: How do you get a good quality tenant to lease your rental?
You want to make sure that your prospective renter can do three things really well:
Enter the tenant screening process. While well known and well used, it’s actually quite misunderstood.
In this guide, I’m going to cover a few important issues. If you follow them well, you have an incredibly high chance of getting high quality tenants without much fuss.
We’ll cover:
Tenant screening means finding out everything there is to know about your potential tenants, as it affects their ability to pay and meet the requirements of their lease. In other words, it’s a deep dive into who your tenants are and what you can learn from their past actions.
Tenant screening works by taking all of the important qualities you want from a tenant (we’ll get to that in a second), and making sure they exist. It involves checking their criminal and credit history, talking to landlords and employers, and making sure they have the money to pay the rent for the next year.
When you think about it, you’re giving someone access to a product (your rental) over a year or longer, so you need to make absolutely sure that your renter can handle it. Thinking about it like a much smaller version of mortgage lending will help you evaluate risk and make the right decision when it comes to choosing a tenant.
The most important thing you look for in a tenant is their ability to pay the rent, on time, every time.
All of the qualities below influence that:
Apartment marketing is an art unto itself, and is probably deserving of another post altogether. But to put it briefly, there are plenty of great tenants out there. When you first post your ad, make sure your screening requirements are clearly listed in the ad.
Make sure you are honest about what your apartment is, and the type of tenants it can support in terms of income and employment.
Different internet sites drive different types of tenants. Make sure to test ads both on Craigslist AND other sites like Facebook.
You can screen people based on some information and details but not on others. For example, it’s fine to disallow a prospective tenant because of a poor credit history or a violent criminal past. What’s not ok, and is illegal, is discrimination against someone in what’s called a “protected class”.
The Fair Housing Act make it illegal to discriminate based upon “race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap”. While that seems obvious, it means you can’t write things like “No Kids” or “Great Hispanic Neighborhood” in your ad.
When talking to prospective tenants, you can’t ask them about their family or mention what a wonderful catholic neighborhood your apartment is in.
To reiterate – you can deny someone rent based on their criminal background, a past eviction, or all sorts of monetary criteria. But you can’t violate the basics of the fair housing laws.
The rental application is actually a core process of your tenant screening. Most tenants hate applying, because they’re incredibly long and take a good 15-20 minutes to fill at least. For the Landlord or Property Manager, however, the leasing application is the second line of defense after making your requirements clear in your marketing.
Simply put, the property application and leasing form allows you to gather all the information you need, and to catch tenants in lies. Many prospective tenants who don’t meet your requirements, will balk at paying and filling out the application. Other tenants, who don’t want to put the effort in to filling out the application, may not put the effort into paying the rent on time, either.
In short, the rental application is a great way to weed out those who wouldn’t make it to the final stage anyway, while saving you a ton of time and money.
The Rental Application should have a few important sections:
Once you have your tenant’s application, and a separate signed consent form, it’s time to run the actual background check and check the credit report. We’ll add more info here about logging into your background check system and pulling credit reports.
Make sure your tenants know that the credit report for renting will be a hard pull, so they’re not surprised when it shows up on their systems.
Assuming the background check came back clear [no felonies, evictions, reasonable credit score and information], it’s time to make sure they’re telling the truth about how much money they make and who they work for.
Verifying income is tougher then most landlords consider. W-2s and Income statements can be easily faked. Most Landlords will be ok with pay stubs anyway, but there are a number of more secure ways to verify income:
1. File IRS Form 4506-t and get access to the previous years W2, 1099 or 1040 Form
2. Do an online screen share with your tenant to view their income from their bank account.
3. Use a background check service to authenticate employment verification for your tenants.
The next step is via employment. You might do this via a service like The Work Number, or by simply calling the reference. When calling the reference, google the phone number first to make sure it really belongs to the company. Call the company main line and ask to speak to the person listed as a reference. Unscrupulous tenants have been known to provide cell phone numbers of friends and family, instead of a bad reference from a boss.
Call previous landlords to find out how the tenants acted. Did they pay rent on time? Were they evicted? Did they cause trouble?
Before calling the landlord, verify with the county assessor that the name given is the owner of the property. Sometimes it may be a property manager or real estate agent, but you need to check these things. Tenants can sometimes provide the most bizarre and inaccurate information to try and trick you.
This is the simplest answer: anyone who is going to be on the hook for rental payments, needs to have their background screened and verified.
If you decide not to accept a tenant, you must send them an Adverse Action letter telling them why, and notifying them of the name of the Consumer Reporting Agency who created the report.
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