There are many records you can legally access as an American citizen.
Many government agencies can keep documents, and you could feel like you are running in circles to find the right agency for the record you are trying to obtain.
While having everything online makes it easier to access records, there could be some agencies that don’t offer this option.
Generally, any public forum can be obtained using a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA letter of request submitted to the agency with the record.
Each state has different rules, so it’s essential to know the state’s law before requesting any documents.
Open records under Uniform Court Rule 21 apply to all three branches of Georgia’s government, including executive, legislative and judicial. However, there are specific exemptions where you can’t ask for public records, including:
In Georgia, officials and agencies have three business days to respond to your FOIA request.
The state is no longer allowed to charge search and retrieval costs because of the 1991 court case Trammell v. Martin.
The copying cost can run $.25 per page, but that is the limit. There could be an exception if there is an unusual time, effort, and cost in searching and retrieval, but the state must let you know in advance of any exceptional circumstances or cost.
If a request is denied, a requester has a few options. You can file a complaint with the Georgia Attorney General or file a civil or criminal case in court to fight the decision.
To learn more, visit the official website of the state, Georgia.gov.
Some records are online, while others must be requested using an open records request form. If a formal request is needed, it can 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:
People may want to see someone’s criminal record for several different types of reasons.
The most common reason is employment as most employers require potential employees to agree to a background check before hiring.
Other reasons could be to check someone out before dating them or because a family member is dating them. It could also be helpful if you are planning to bring someone on as a business partner.
The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) maintains criminal records.
A Georgia criminal history typically features details about every encounter with law enforcement agencies.
Those seeking criminal records on any individual in Georgia must make an appointment to go to the Georgia Crime Information Center lobby office and speak to someone. This is where record inspections and fingerprint services are offered under the command of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI)
Georgia law states that anyone can obtain a criminal history record as long as they provide signed consent of the person being researched.
It must be submitted to an official from the GCIC and must include the person’s full name, address, social security number, and birthdate.
Georgia Crime Information Center
CCH/Identification
P.O. Box 370808
Decatur, Georgia 30037
The last published statistics from 2016 show there are 53,064 people in Georgia’s prison system, which puts it relatively high in the nationwide ranking for the number of inmates in house. Its national rate was 512 per 100,000 people who face sentences of more than a year in 2016.
People may want to see an inmate’s record for several reasons, including employment or if they are a crime victim.
States are different in exactly what is on an inmate record, but Georgia is typical as there is certain personal information all states include in this type of public record.
That information is:
You will use the Department of Corrections Offender Query to access the Georgia inmate record.
To search, you can enter either the person’s name, ID number, or case number. However, someone using the site must agree to its terms of use, including acknowledging that some records may not be complete.
If you request the record, it’s your responsibility to verify the information by writing a request to the Inmate Records and Information office.
PO Box 1529
Forsyth, Georgia 30129
State court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court’s Office can include much information regarding any connection a person has with the courts or a case.
Court records can be extensive and include a lot of many types of documents.
These documents can include things like:
This Georgia website consolidates each county’s civil and criminal cases into one place.
You can use the Georgia Courts and Records database to access the record.
You must register for an account at the provider’s link though but registration is free.
State and local court records are stored at the courthouses in each Georgia County, under the specific court that heard the case.
Most are available through the County Clerk’s office, which tends to handle all records. You can call the court clerk in the county where the record may be to arrange a time and method of obtaining court records.
Example – Cobb County
Cobb County Search Judicial Records
100 Cherokee Street
Marietta, GA 30090
Phone number: (770) 528-1000
The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains public vital records.
Georgia’s vital records include:
Georgia vital records requests will vary depending on the document you are attempting to access.
The Request for Search of Birth form will ask you for specific information:
You can access a certified copy of a Georgia birth record by completing the Request for Search of Birth (Form 3918) and submitting it in person or by mail.
Or, you can request one online using VitalChek.
A certified copy of a birth certificate is $25.
You can purchase two additional copies for $10.
Georgia Department of Public Health
State of Georgia Building
2 Peachtree St UNIT 5
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone number: 404-679-4702
The Research for Death Record Search form requires specific information:
You can obtain a certified copy of a Georgia death record by completing the Request for Search of Death Record Form 3912 and submitting it in person or by mail.
Or, you can request one online using VitalChek.
A certified copy of a death certificate is $25.
You can purchase two additional copies of a death record for $10.
Georgia Department of Public Health
State of Georgia Building
2 Peachtree St UNIT 5
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone number: 404-679-4702
The Marriage Verification Request form will ask you for specific information:
You can access a certified copy of a Georgia marriage license by completing the Marriage Verification Request Form and submitting it in person or by mail.
Or, you can request one online using VitalChek.
A certified marriage certificate is $10.
The Clerk of the Superior Court maintains all divorce records in Georgia.
Contact your Court Clerk to inquire about fees, forms, and processes.
You will need to contact the Clerk of Superior Court where the divorce was granted.
All divorce decrees are public records in Georgia.
Georgia public property records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court Clerks’ offices.
The information on a public property record will differ depending on what information you are attempting to obtain.
Forms for public property records differ depending on the Superior Court Clerk’s office.
You will need to contact your Superior Court Clerk’s Office to inquire about specific forms, fees, and processes.
Example – Fulton County
Fulton County Records and Real Estate Services
Lewis R. Slaton Courthouse
136 Pryor Street
Suite C155
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Phone number: 404-613-5313
Whether they live in Atlanta or Denver, any United States citizen can request records. However, this wasn’t always the case. The citizenship requirement was removed from the Georgia Open Records Act in 2012.
Georgia does not have a general records custodian or ombudsman.
There are several exemptions to public records access in Georgia, including documentation on national historical places, wildlife refuges, security plans or measures that fall under homeland security, sports records of those under the age of 12, and some real estate documents where a government agency is trying to buy or build.
In Georgia, a government agency has three days to respond to your FOIA request.
Someone denied an open records request could file a complaint with the Georgia Attorney General’s office or file a civil or criminal action in the court overseeing the records.
In some cases, that could be the Georgia Supreme Court, a federal court, a local superior court for criminal and some civil matters, and a local magistrate court or probate court.
Changes in Georgia’s laws prevent agencies from charging hefty fees for a public records search. The most that can be charged is $.25 per page copy.
There are some rare cases where a search and retrieval cost is required should the document be hard to find. The agency with the record must notify you of an anticipated cost when they send a response to a FOIA inquiry.
There are many records you can legally access as an American citizen.
Many government agencies can keep documents, and you could feel like you are running in circles to find the right agency for the record you are trying to obtain.
While having everything online makes it easier to access records, there could be some agencies that don’t offer this option.
Generally, any public forum can be obtained using a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) letter of request submitted to the agency with the record.
Each state has different rules, so it’s essential to know the state’s law before requesting any documents.
Anyone in the United States can request a public record from the three branches of government in Colorado under The Colorado Open Records Act or “CORA.”
Most records or writings can be requested unless it is a juvenile record, mental health care, or protected under a state statute. The records are open to inspection in a variety of ways. They can be mailed or faxed, and some can be accessed online.
Physical and electronic records are available to request, including maps, photos, digital data, emails, documents, books, and recordings.
You do not have the right to ask for the papers to be mailed to you in a specific format, for example, on a thumb drive. The government agency will determine what format will be sent or be open for your inspection.
Another note of importance is that government employees are prohibited by law from explaining or offering their opinion on the records you request.
To conduct public records search in Colorado, 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 access records from multiple places.
In general, a public records request should include:
People may want to see someone’s criminal record for several different types of reasons.
The most common reason is employment as most employers require potential employees to agree to a background check before hiring.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation maintains criminal records in the state.
Colorado criminal records contain the criminal’s name and aliases, charges against the subject, and a detailed physical description, including tattoos.
Other information on the record, besides a person’s criminal history, could include:
You can access criminal records through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
The price is search for $5 per search.
The record only includes crimes for which a person was fingerprinted, so minor violations like a traffic ticket will not be on the record.
Colorado’s Department of Corrections maintains and stores all of the records on its inmates.
Colorado houses approximately 18,419 inmates at twenty-two state and two private prisons.
As you look into an inmate’s record, expect to find various information depending on the county or region. There will be specific details about the inmate’s incarceration circumstances and possibly previous incarceration.
The records you receive will provide the following information:
The Colorado Department of Corrections website has details on finding an inmate and up-to-date information on policies. The policies can cover regulations for visitations or how to send money.
You need to know the first and last name of the inmate or the inmate’s six-character ID number to conduct an online search for an inmate
Access has been granted to Colorado Public Records since 1969, which includes court documents. Court records fall into two categories: Civil and criminal court records.
Civil court examples are liability suits, nonpayment for goods, landlord vs. tenant issues, car accidents, and divorce proceedings. Bankruptcy is a civil court record.
Criminal case examples are robbery, dealing drugs, kidnapping, burglary, gambling, and violent crimes like murder and rape.
The Clerk of Courts Offices maintains court records in Colorada.
You can request several types of court records from a court case. Court records are extensive, especially if the case took a long time to conclude.
You will find the following documents the most helpful:
You can access some court records by using the Colorado State Archives database.
To access the records, you need to know a name, year, case type, case number, or the county the case was heard in.
If you wish to make a formal request, you will need to complete the Request Records by Mail Form and submit it by bail.
If the state archives do not have what you are looking for, you can request records from the state’s trial courts, county courts, district courts, appeals court, and the Colorado State Supreme Court.
You can contact the Colorado Judicial Branch for questions about court and jurisdiction.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment maintains public vital records.
Colorado vital records include:
Colorado vital records requests will be different depending on the document you are requesting.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
4300 Cherry Creek Drive
S. Denver, CO 80246
Phone number: 303-691-774, 303-692-2329
Your open records request for a Colorado birth record will include:
You can request a Colorado birth record online using GoCertificates or VitalChek.
You can also request a form by phone.
866-300-8540
The public death record form requires specific information:
You can obtain a Colorado death certificate online using GoCertificates or VitalChek.
You can also request a form by phone.
Phone number: 866-300-8540
The public request for a marriage certificate will ask you for specific information:
You will need to contact the Clerk and Recorder in the jurisdiction where the marriage license was issued.
You can order a Certified Verification of Marriage online using GoCertificates or VitalChek.
The information on your public divorce records request will vary depending on the court and jurisdiction.
You will need to contact the County District Court where the dissolution of marriage was granted.
Example – El Paso County
El Paso County Clerk’s Office
212 N. Wahsatch Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
You can order a Certified Verification of Divorce online using GoCertificates or VitalChek.
Colorado public property records are maintained by the County Assessor’s Office.
The information on a public property record will differ depending on what information you are attempting to obtain.
Forms for Colorado public property records are different depending on the record and the County Assessor’s Office.
You will need to contact the County Assessor’s Office in the jurisdiction of the property record to inquire about specific forms, fees, and processes.
Example – County of Denver
County of Denver County Assessor Property Records Website
201 W Colfax Ave #406
Denver, CO 80202
Phone number: 720-913-4162
According to the Colorado Open Records Act, anyone can request a public record.
Whether you live in Denver or New York City, you can request a record. There is no state residency requirement.
Colorado does not have a records custodian.
The custodian defaults to the director or head of the agency who has personal control and custody of the records which differs between governmental agencies.
Records that would not be released to you are contrary to state or federal statutes. A ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court or by order of any court could cause an exemption.
Juvenile court records are exempt from public records requests in the state of Colorado.
The Colorado Secretary of State’s website says the Secretary of State’s office will make every effort to respond within three working days of a request. There may be a seven-day extension added to specific records.
If clarification is needed to complete your request, it will take longer for you to receive them. The records will be made available for 30 days in a public office if you are viewing them in person, and after that, the record will be closed again.
Colorado does not have a process for an appeal. Once you are denied or do not receive the information you are seeking, litigation would be the only means to obtain this information.
Fees do apply to your request. The fees can vary and depend upon the time needed to locate and copy the records.
If it requires more than one hour for a staffer to find the files, redact personal information and copy them, an hourly fee of $30.00 can be charged.
If you have many pages to copy, the fees add up quickly. The agency requires an advance deposit before they begin the request. Once the request is completed, it must be paid for in full before the agency will conduct a records search for you.
In 1967, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 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.
When you submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, government agencies have five business days to respond. Anyone from any state may request public information found in Illinois.
Submissions can be made in person, verbally, by email, or by mail. Some agencies have specific requirements. There is a detailed list of reasons for the denial, and any denials for information must cite one of those reasons.
All branches of the state government are subject to open records, but there are more than 25 categories of broad, detailed exemptions, according to the Freedom of Information Act in the Illinois Constitution.
You can contact the Illinois Secretary of State about public records laws.
Some records are available online for public records access in Illinois, while others might require a formal request. If a bid is necessary, it can be delivered by 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 Illinois State Police maintains criminal records or criminal histories.
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 interactions with law enforcement and the judiciary branch.
An Illinois arrest record typically features details of the alleged crimes as well as:
You will go through the Illinois State Police Bureau of Investigation to obtain a criminal record.
For a thorough report, you will need to submit fingerprints, which you can have done in person or requested by mail.
801 South 7th Street
Suite 100-M
Springfield, IL 62703
There are also name-based inquiries for quicker background checks through the Criminal History Response Process (CHIRP). You can register and link directly with CHIRP from the ISP website. While a fingerprint inquiry requires the consent of the person, a name search does not.
It costs $20 to get state records with fingerprints on paper and $15 to get them sent electronically.
Name-based inquiries are $16 for paper documents and $10 for electronic records.
Illinois typically has more than 52,000 prisoners in its prison system across the state.
Accessing inmate records can provide information on who has been released and who remains behind bars.
Inmate record information can be different from state to state, but Illinois records typically have both personal information and details of the person’s prison sentence.
That would include information such as:
The Illinois State Department of Corrections maintains inmate records.
You can access various offender searches through the IDOC website.
You can search by the last name, IDOC number, or birthdate.
Illinois Department of Corrections
1301 Concordia Court
P.O. Box 19277
Springfield, IL 62794-9277
Phone number: (217) 558-2200
Court Clerks maintain court records in Illinois.
You can find a complete list of courts, as well as contact information for court clerks.
Court records can be extensive and include a lot of many types of documents.
These documents can include things like:
Those seeking Illinois court records must obtain them from the local court handling the case.
The Illinois Association of Court Clerks makes it easier by listing all the county links on their page. Those seeking information should contact the county clerk listed to find out how to obtain court records. Be prepared to place a formal request for records involving court cases and have case information and a case number handy, if possible.
The largest Illinois court circuit is the Cook County Circuit Court.
There is no online access to court records. You must physically go to the Cook County Courthouse and use a public-access terminal to access records as the system doesn’t publish criminal records online. Also, Cook County does not keep dispositions for arrests or charges where they didn’t go to court.
Circuit Court of Cook County
50 West Washington Street, Room 2600
Richard J. Daley Center
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone number: (312) 603-6000
The fee is $9 in Cook County.
In Illinois courts, the clerk can charge you a certified disposition fee to process your request.
The process to access court records remains the same no matter where the case was heard. Whether it was heard by the Illinois Supreme Court or elsewhere in the judicial circuit, your point of contact should be the clerk of court at the specific courthouse.
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains vital records statewide.
Illinois public vital records include:
Public vital records requests will vary depending on the document you are wishing to obtain.
The Application for Illinois Birth Record from the State form will ask you for specific information:
You can obtain a certified copy of an Illinois birth certificate by completing the Application for Illinois Birth Record and submitting it by mail or fax.
Or, you can request one online using VitalChek.
A certified birth certificate is $15 for a long-form birth certificate and $10 for a short form certified copy.
All additional copies cost $2.
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Ave-2737
Springfield, Illinois 62702
Fax: 217-523-2648
The Application for Illinois Death Record requires specific information:
You can obtain a certified copy of an Illinois death certificate by completing the Application for Illinois Death Record and submitting it by mail or fax.
Or, you can request one online using VitalChek.
A certified death certificate is $19.
All additional copies cost $4.
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Ave-2737
Springfield, Illinois 62702
Fax: 217-523-2648
The Application for Verification of Marriage Record will ask you for specific information:
You can access a certified copy of an Illinois marriage record by completing the Application for Verification of Marriage Record Files and submitting it by mail or fax.
Or, you can request one online using VitalChek.
A certified marriage certificate is $5 for each copy.
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Ave-2737
Springfield, Illinois 62702
Fax: 217-523-2648
The Application for Verification of Dissolution of Marriage Records will ask you for specific information:
You can access a certified copy of an Illinois divorce certificate by completing the Application for Verification of Dissolution of Marriage and submitting it by mail or fax.
Or, you can request one online using VitalChek.
A certified divorce record costs $5 for each copy.
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Ave-2737
Springfield, Illinois 62702
Fax: 217-523-2648
Illinois Property records are maintained by the County Assessor’s Office.
The information on a public property record will differ depending on what information you are attempting to obtain.
Forms for public property records differ depending on the County Assessor’s Office in the state of Illinois.
You will need to contact your County Clerk’s Office to inquire about specific forms, fees, and processes.
Example – Illinois County
Cook County Property Search
118 N Clark St #320
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone Number: (312) 443-7550
Anyone in the United States can submit an open records request regardless of their state.
Illinois has a state official in charge of records. However, the Attorney General’s Office has a division called the Public Access Counselor to help resolve disputes between those requesting and agencies refusing to honor the request.
All agencies must notify the Public Access Counselor of any denials and reasons for the denial.
While no agency is exempted from FOIA requests, there are exemptions with explicit language for each category and listing ways where a request could be exempted. Exemptions in the federal freedom of information law can also be used to exempt certain state documents.
Illinois exemptions are broad, so anyone seeking information should read the same law. Some of the things exempted are:
The agency has five business days to respond.
Those who don’t receive a response from the agency within the time required or disagree with the denial of a request for information can file a complaint with the Public Access Counselor’s office.
Agencies found guilty of wrongdoing incur significant penalties of $2,500 and $5000.
If the requester feels the Public Access Counselor didn’t make the right decision in their FOIA request, the one requesting information can appeal the decision by filing a lawsuit with a Circuit Clerk.
Fees for a public records search in Illinois are specified in the law. Agencies can’t charge search fees and must trust only the actual cost of labor to copy them. Also, if they don’t respond within five business days, they could dismiss the fee.
There are no fees for requests totaling less than 50 black and white pages, and those in color can only be charged the cost of copying them. The copying fee is $.15 per page.
With electronic records, the price can only include the cost of the medium that the document is copied onto, such as a flash drive. The Illinois Vehicle Code sets the fee for driving records.
Whether you live in Raleigh or New York City, you can request public records held in the state of North Carolina.
The state has an open policy, but it is essential to understand the system if you are trying to request documents of any kind.
As you might expect, any type of record can be difficult. Records are held at different agencies. Some require a request form; others are searchable online.
Navigating the state’s world of public records requires some direction.
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.
North Carolina’s Public Records Law can be defined as expansive but without any actual form of enforcement.
Agencies cannot ask a requester why they are searching for specific records. A separate office negotiates fees based on requests to maintain minimal costs.
There is no time limit on when requests must be completed, and there is currently no formal appeal system process, so requesters must deal with good faith agencies that have the support of the law on their side.
Under the public records law in North Carolina, individuals are entitled to public inspection of records held by all public agencies.
The term public agency is defined as an agency of the North Carolina government or any of its subdivisions, including every public officer and public office, board, commission, institution, bureau, department, council, unit, or authority of the state government or a subdivision of government.
More information can be found on the state website, NorthCarolina.gov.
In some cases, accessing public records in North Carolina requires a physical form to request the document. In other cases, online databases can provide 24/7 access to information; no form is required.
If a physical form is required, it can be sent by mail, email, or phone to the corresponding department.
Note that state agencies and employees are not required to create and compile a government record if one does not currently exist.
With each department different, expect slight variations to the rules if accessing records from multiple locations.
In general, a public records request should include:
The criminal records within North Carolina are classified as official documents that detail all criminal activities committed in the state.
These documents are prepared and maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, agencies, detention, and correctional facilities.
Criminal records describe felonies and misdemeanors of alleged and convicted criminals and records of arrest, indictment, and conviction.
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety maintains criminal records in the state.
A criminal record provides a detailed record of a person’s history with law enforcement. These records are taken from various sources and include a person’s arrest records, prior convictions, and incarcerations within the state’s prisons.
More specifically, a criminal record or a background check will provide the following information:
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety works with the state’s court system to provide criminal background checks.
How expansive criminal records are in North Carolina varies? You can contact the local government law enforcement agency for localized criminal record requests.
You will use the North Carolina Court System to request fingerprint-based background checks, also known within the state of North Carolina as the ‘Right to Review’ record.
The processing fee for requests for criminal records is $14.
The state of North Carolina has approximately 31,000 inmates within its corrections system. Inmate records can provide information on current inmates housed within any correctional facility within the state.
North Carolina Department Of Public Safety Offender Public Information maintains inmate records in the state.
The information on inmate records varies from state to state; in North Carolina, 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:
North Carolina Department Of Public Safety Offender Public Information search will provide you with the inmate record you are accessing.
You will need to provide specific details:
The same system can provide information on parolees. The search function allows you to search for active inmates or active parolees.
North Carolina citizens have the authority to search for, obtain, and utilize public records held by the state government, county government, municipality, or city.
Under the Freedom of Information Law, requesters have the tools necessary to acquire records easily and more efficiently.
In most cases, court records are quite extensive and come with various documents. Most people find these documents to be the most helpful:
In order to access court records, a request can be made at a clerk’s court office in any county.
To find a case, you can use the court terminals to search using the defendant’s name, case number, and/or victim/witness name.
Copies of any paper documents can be processed for a nominal fee.
An individual can access information about civil, estate cases, or special proceedings in the North Carolina state court system on self-service public terminals located in the Clerk of Court’s office in any county.
View the user’s manual for the system where the information is stored. Paper copies can be prepared by staff for a small fee.
You can use the North Carolina Judicial Branch website to find the court that maintains the record you are attempting to access.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services maintains vital records in North Carolina.
When requesting a North Carolina Vital Record, you will need to contact the Register of Deeds in the jurisdiction where the event happened.
North Carolina’s vital records include:
Public record requests for vital records in North Carolina will vary depending on the document you access and the Register of Deeds Office request form.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
NC Department of Health and Human Services
2001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2001
Customer Service Center: 1-800-662-7030
The North Carolina birth certificate request application will ask for specific information.
You can request a certified copy of a North Carolina birth record by completing the birth record request form and submitting it by mail or in person with the Register of Deeds.
Example – Person County Register of Deeds
Vital Records Request Form
Tonya R Wilson – Registrar
P.O. Box 209
Roxboro, North Carolina 27573
The cost of a certified birth certificate in North Carolina is $10. You can purchase a non-certified copy for $1.
The North death record request form will ask for specific details when ordering a death record.
You can request a certified copy of a North Carolina death record by completing the death record request form and submitting it by mail or in person.
Example – Wake County Register of Deeds
Application for Wake County Birth Certificate
Wake County Register of Deeds
Attention: Vital Records
P. O. Box 1897
Raleigh, NC 27602-1897
The cost of a certified death record is $10 in North Carolina. You can purchase a non-certified copy for $1.
The North Carolina death record request form will ask for specific details when ordering a death record.
You can request a certified copy of a North Carolina marriage record by completing the marriage certificate request form and submitting it by mail or in person.
Example – New Hanover County
New Hanover County Application for Vital Records
320 Chestnut Street
Suite 120
Wilmington N.C. 28401
The cost of a certified death record is $10 in North Carolina. You can purchase a non-certified copy for $1.
The Clerk of Court maintains divorce records in North Carolina.
Every Clerk’s Office will have different procedures when accessing county records.
You will need to contact the Clerk of Court’s Office that granted the divorce to ask about forms, fees, and office hours.
The North Carolina Secretary of State maintains property records in North Carolina.
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.
You will need basic information to access a public property record.
You will use the Secretary of State Land Records search to do a public records search.
Anyone can request and receive records that pertain to public business.
North Carolina public records policy does not list a records custodian. Records are available with each state department.
According to North Carolina General Statutes agency of North Carolina government may refuse to disclose requested records if one or more of the following exemptions apply:
This is an abbreviated list as numerous other exceptions can be applied under the state’s public records law.
North Carolina does not specify a response time for public records.
There is no official appeals process in North Carolina, so if a request is denied for any reason, you can ask for a reason for the denial.
Non-exempt portions of the record can be released, or the exempt portions can be redacted.
You can contact the North Carolina Attorney General to report violations of the Freedom of Information Act.
North Carolina considers all real estate records public.
Agencies in the state of North Carolina only have the power to be able to charge for copies unless an ‘extensive amount of labor’ is involved in providing the public records.
In some instances, the State Chief Information Office can mediate fees by a requester.
Public records can provide a wealth of information. While the documents are helpful, they can be challenging to find, request, and receive.
Knowing how to maneuver the process can save you time and energy.
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 Texas Public Records Act, you do not have to be a resident to receive records. The records must be produced for you within ten days, or a written response should be mailed explaining when the documents will be available.
If the agency denies your request, they need to send a written exemption to the attorney general. This is a benefit because it means the agency will not just automatically deny records requests.
The Texas Attorney General makes the final decision on releasing the records, but this step will also slow down the acquisition of documents. That attorney general has 45 days to respond to the denial. There is no appeal option in Texas, but you can file a lawsuit to obtain the records.
There are exemptions within the Texas Public Records Act. The judicial system is exempt, although you can obtain records from the executive and state agencies.
You can be refused records on audits, confidential documents, personnel files, records that are an invasion of privacy, crime or abuse victims records, and specific law enforcement procedures due to security.
The fee associated with copying records in Texas is $.10 per page. If a search is required for your request, you can be charged $15.00 per hour.
You may be charged more if the records you request are from different agencies. If an employee needs to redact confidential information, you can be charged for that work.
For more information, visit Texas.gov.
Some Texas records are available online, and some must be requested through a physical form. If a form is required, it 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’re accessing records from multiple places.
In general, a public records request should include:
A criminal record from Texas provides arrest information, prosecutions, and dispositions for a Class B misdemeanor or more significant violation.
It will include specific details on the person’s interactions with law enforcement.
The Department of Public Safety maintains criminal records in Texas.
A criminal record provides a detailed report of a person’s interactions with various police departments in the state.
The information stems from multiple sources and includes arrest records, convictions, and incarcerations within the state’s nine prisons.
The criminal record you receive will provide you with this pertinent information:
You will visit the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Division website to access the criminal record.
You will need to set up an account and supply your name, address, email, phone number, and credit card information. You will not receive a refund if there are no records found.
Texas has 700 prisons and jails that, in 2017, housed 1435,341 inmates. This can make a search for an inmate’s records difficult.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice maintains inmate records.
Each state varies in what information it will provide on an inmate’s record. Usually, it contains personal details and where the person is incarcerated.
Conducting a public records search can provide the following information on an inmate:
You will visit the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Inmate Information Search to access the inmate record.
To request an inmate’s records, visit the website listed above and enter the last name and the first initial of the person, or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) number or the state identification (SID) number.
You can enter gender and race if you know them.
The Texas judicial branch includes various courts with specific functions. Because of its large number of courts, it can be hard to track down records.
Texas courts can be broken down into levels by what type of case they manage. The majority of the cases are an appeal from an appellate ruling.
The Supreme Court helps the whole Texas judiciary system run efficiently and creates the rules for the other courts.
Since cases can take a long time to come to trial, court records can be large and unwieldy.
Public access to inmate records can provide the following information when accessed:
In order to receive court documents from Texas, you need to complete the Texas Request for Records Application.
The form is short and easy to complete. You must supply your name, address, phone and email. Be specific on the records you want to request.
Typically, the request is sent to the County Clerk or County Clerk’s Office, which maintains records.
Texas Department of Health and Human Services maintains vital records in the state.
Texas’ vital records include:
Public record requests for vital records in Texas will vary depending on the document you are requesting.
The Texas Department of State Health Services
Texas Vital Records
Department of State Health Services
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040
Phone number: 512-776-7111
The Mail Application for Birth Record will ask for specific information when ordering a birth certificate.
You can order a Texas birth certificate online using the Texas Department of State Health Services – Order Records website.
Or, you can request a certified copy of a Texas birth record by completing the Mail Application for Birth Record and submitting it by mail or in person.
The cost of a certified birth certificate in Texas is $22.
The Mail Application for Death Record will ask for specific information when ordering a copy of a death certificate in Texas.
You can order a Texas death certificate online using the Texas Department of State Health Services – Order Records website.
Or, you can request a certified copy of a Texas death record by completing the Mail Application for Death Record and submitting it by mail or in person.
The cost of a certified death certificate in Texas is $20, and $3 for every additional copy.
The Mail Application for Marriage Record will ask for specific information when requesting a marriage certificate in Texas.
You can order a Texas marriage certificate online using the Texas Department of State Health Services – Order Records website to e-file.
Or, you can request a certified copy of a Texas 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 Texas is $20.
You can also contact the County Clerk where the marriage took place. Forms, fees, and office hours vary.
The Mail Application for Divorce Record will ask for specific information when requesting a divorce certificate in Texas.
You can order a Texas divorce certificate online using the Texas Department of State Health Services – Order Records website.
Or, you can request a certified copy of a Texas divorce record by completing the Mail Application for Marriage Record and submitting it by mail or in person.
The cost of a certified divorce certificate in Texas is $20.
You can also contact the Clerk of District Court where the divorce was granted. District clerk’s offices have different forms, fees, and office hours will differ.
The County Appraisal District maintains all property records in Texas.
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 Texas.
Forms, fees, and office hours will vary depending on the County Appraisal District where the property record is maintained.
You will need to contact the County Appraisal District where the property record is maintained.
Example – Angelina County Appraisal District
Angelina County Appraisal District Forms
P.O. Box 2357
Lufkin, TX 75902-2357
Phone number: 936-634-8456
You can request public records if you do not live in the state of Texas.
Texas public record laws do not mandate a records custodian. Every governmental agency is responsible for its own record keeping.
The records of the judicial branch are exempt from the law in Texas.
Other exempt documents often deal with an invasion of privacy or confidentiality laws. You cannot receive personnel files, mental health files, trade secrets, academic files, credit card information, or crime and abuse victim records.
The agency is supposed to produce records for you within ten days.
If they cannot get you the documents within ten days, the Public Information Act says they must send you a letter stating when the records will be available.
You may file a lawsuit, but there is no appeals process in Texas. If the agency refuses your records, they must send a letter to the attorney general, who will agree with the agency or recommend that the documents be released.
The Texas Attorney General has up to 45 days to respond to the letter.
Texas is required to charge reasonable fees for copying and labor for a record request statewide.
If the request is under 50 pages, they can only charge for photocopying the pages at $0.10 a page.
If the pages are over 50, the charge for labor is $15.00 an hour. If the records are housed in two separate buildings, they are allowed to charge for labor.
Anyone who has ever tried to get public records in California knows that it can be a challenging process.
Records are maintained across several departments within the state.
The California Constitution and the California Public Records Act state that all Californians have the right to access public records housed by both a local agency and state government agencies.
California public records include
California has public records laws that specify response times and has limited exemptions for a public records search.
If a records request is denied in California, there is no appeals process in place.
California public records include criminal records, inmate records, court records, and vital records.
The California Public Records Act says that every individual has the right to access records that relate to the conduct of the people.
The California Public Records Act exempts information that is deemed solely personal that happens to be included on a public record.
Under California law, responses must be met within ten days and apply to executive and state agencies.
Residency within California is not required. However, there is no appeal option if a public records request is denied.
In California, you must submit a public records request to access public documents regardless of the agency. Every governmental department has a different process, procedures, and price.
A California public records request is sent via mail, email, or phone to the record-holding agency.
Some departments require you to submit a physical form.
Every department is different, so expect some variation to the rules if accessing government records from multiple places.
In general, a public records request should include:
California governmental public agencies and offices have different office hours and procedures. It is a good idea to always call before arriving in person.
California criminal records, or criminal history, can include all information relating to interactions with law enforcement and the court system.
The State of California Department of Justice maintains California criminal records.
Depending on the state and agency, it typically doesn’t have traffic offenses and sometimes won’t include misdemeanors.
Criminal records are often accessed by employers who want to conduct a background check on a possible hire.
The Office of the Attorney General does release public criminal records to non-profit organizations.
A person’s criminal record includes a thorough overview of their interaction with law enforcement and is maintained by multiple agencies.
California public criminal records consist of arrests, convictions, and incarcerations.
Specifically, a criminal record or background check includes the following information:
The Office of the Attorney General and the California Department of Justice maintains criminal records in California.
The OAG provides background checks that can be accessed through law enforcement agencies and the official California State Records Online Database.
Manual fingerprints are required as part of the government code to initiate a background search as criminal records are not provided without a person’s knowledge.
Office of the Attorney General
455 Golden Gate Avenue
Suite 11000
San Francisco, CA 94102-7004
Phone number: 415-703-5500
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation maintains California state prison records.
Every state maintains records on its prison population. For people interested in an inmate’s location, prison term, and pending transfers, inmate records are the best source of information.
California, records typically contain a combination of personal information and specific details about a person’s incarceration and arrest.
The following information can be acquired when public access is provided to inmate records:
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation website provides prison contact information and links that allow you to locate offenders and provide information for victims and advocates.
You will use the California Inmate Locator to find an inmate’s public record.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
1515 S St #101n
Sacramento, CA 95811
Phone number: 916-324-7308
California court records provide extensive information from court cases. Court hours and complicated processes make obtaining public court records more difficult than other documents.
The California judiciary includes:
The information on a court record varies depending on the court.
California court records include the following information:
In California, court records for background checks are maintained by the California Judicial Branch.
The state of California imposes restrictions on employers that request court documents.
You can access California court records by physically going to the courthouse. You have the right to access hard copies as well as electronic court records.
You will need to find the specific court you’re making the request to in order to access public records online. You can find a complete list of courts using the California Courts website.
The California Department of Public Health maintains vital records in the state.
California Vital Records includes:
Public vital records requests vary depending on the jurisdiction of the event.
The Application for Certified Copy of Birth Record requires specific information to obtain the document.
You can request a California birth certificate online using the state’s VitalCheck system or by completing the Application for Certified Copy of Birth Record and submitting it by mail or in person.
CA Department of Public Health – Vital Records
MS: 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899
Phone number: 916-558-1784
The price is $29 per certified copy of a California birth certificate.
The Application for Certified Copy of Death Record requires certain information to obtain a death certificate.
You can request a California death certificate online using the state’s VitalCheck system or by completing the Application for Certified Copy of Death Record and submitting it by mail or in person.
CA Department of Public Health – Vital Records
MS: 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899
Phone number: 916-558-1784
The price is $24 per certified copy of a California death record.
The Application for Certified Copy of Marriage Record will ask you for specific information to obtain a marriage record.
You can request a California marriage certificate online using the state’s VitalCheck system or by completing the Application for Certified Copy of Marriage Record and submitting it by mail or in person.
CA Department of Public Health – Vital Records
MS: 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899
Phone number: 916-558-1784
The cost is $17 per certified copy of a California marriage record.
California Department of Public Health only provides the face sheet of the divorce action. The department does not provide a certified copy of a divorce decree.
Your county Superior Court Clerk will provide a certified copy of a divorce decree for a dissolution that occurred in that county.
The Application for Certificate of Record for a Divorce will ask you for specific information.
You can request a limited divorce record from the California Department of Public Health by completing the Application for Certificate of Record for a Divorce and submitting it by mail or in person.
The cost for a California divorce record is $16.
You will need to contact your county Superior Court Clerk to inquire about their processes and fees to obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree.
Your local Recorder’s Office (or County Clerk) maintains property records in your county.
You will need to contact your Office of the County Clerk to inquire about the process and cost of requesting California property records.
California property records consist of all types of property-related documents including liens and unclaimed property.
California public property request forms and processes vary depending on the information and the jurisdiction.
Example – Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Property Records Request
You will submit your public property record request to your County Recorder’s Office (or County Clerk).
You will need to contact your County Office of the County Clerk to inquire about the process and cost of requesting California property records.
Example – Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk website
California Public Records Act states that all residents can request public records.
However, other agencies and the United States citizens residing in other states have made requests and received the requested records.
California does not have a records custodian.
California Public Records Act specifically advises people statewide to contact individual agencies to gain access to records.
California does grant exemptions to “any records that are not in the best public interest to be released.”
In these particular cases, public information that pertains to safety protocols, building layouts, medical records, and records of that nature fall into this exemption category.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act exempts some public records requests.
California has ten days to respond to a public records request.
California Public Records Act does specify a response time. Many other states do not.
The California Public Records Act (CPRA) does not establish any type of administrative appeal process.
However, the California state legislature does leave room for individual agencies to create their own appeals process.
Every California government agency has different policies, procedures, and prices. Always check with the department you’re making the request about fees.
Most offices only charge for certified copies.
Minnesota is a little different in handling its public records because of various amendments to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) since the law was first adopted. The intent was to make most everything publicly accessible.
Lobbying efforts and lawmakers have added more than a few exemptions. It can be confusing as some offices do not allow walk-in requests and require you to mail, email or fax.
However, other things most states typically list as private, such as government employee salary, are listed as public. 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 Minnesota Public Records Law does not have a citizenship requirement to request public documents, so you can request anywhere.
However, there is no specific response time either, so you can be left waiting a while before your request is answered.
There is a myriad of exemptions in the legislative and judicial branches.
Records from the legislature are exempt in many cases. Many judicial records, such as domestic abuse records, work products, and court service records, are exempt.
The executive branch has no exemptions.
Depending on the agency involved, you can make your FOIA request in person, in writing, and online. Like other states, Minnesota cannot ask why you want records.
To learn more about conducting a public records search, visit Minnesota.gov.
For public records access in Minnesota, 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 access records from multiple places.
In general, a public records request should include:
Some criminal records are available in Minnesota, although there are some specific exemptions.
The most common need for a criminal records search is to get a job, as many employers require it.
There may be other reasons a background check is necessary, including verifying some information before volunteering for specific charities or implementing a business contract, or transacting business with a particular vendor.
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintaining public criminal records in Minnesota.
A criminal record details a person’s history with law enforcement.
Details are extracted from several sources, including local police departments for arrests, courts for trials and convictions, and the state prison system for information about incarceration.
In Minnesota, this official document can vary, but most will include:
You will use the Minnesota Criminal History Search to access the criminal record.
Available information includes public data maintained by BCA with criminal conviction data available to the public for 15 years following the completion of a sentence.
The website doesn’t include information on arrests, juveniles, criminal history from other states, federal crime information, or data deemed private.
There are an estimated 9,849 inmates in the Minnesota prison system. Inmate records can be helpful if you are an employer and seek specific information about a person’s conviction and sentence.
Crime records can also be helpful if you are a crime victim and want to know when the offender will be released or are involved in other court action with the inmate.
Like many states, Minnesota has a variety of basic information available on its inmate records.
Gaining access to these records will provide the following information:
You will use the Minnesota Department of Corrections Offender Search to access the inmate record.
You will need the offender’s name or the inmate identification number to do an online search. It can take several business days to get a newly sentenced inmate into the online system, so be aware of the extra time required.
Minnesota Department of Corrections
Midway Campus
1450 Energy Park Dr #200
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone number: 651-361-7200
Court records contain valuable information that can be used for several different reasons. Employers may want to know details of a case involving a job applicant.
Others involved in a separate case may want details of other court actions involving the individual—some lookup court cases to find out information about their parent’s past or other family members.
Most courts offer online access to their judicial branch case records through a public access site, and the State Law Library.
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.
The Minnesota Judicial Branch has a case management system that provides you with court information and guides you to which court system you need to contact for the records.
You can case search the Minnesota trial court database using the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO).
You can also access records of the judicial branch by searching the specific court’s database.
You can also find court records by going to the court where the case was heard and talking to the Court Administrator.
In some cases, requesters feel it’s easier to call or visit a courthouse, especially if it’s to request District Court records.
The Minnesota Department of Health – The Office of Vital Records maintains public vital records in the state.
Minnesota public vital records include:
Minnesota vital records requests will vary depending on the documents you are attempting to access.
Office of Vital Records – Department of Health
Minnesota Department of Health
Central Cashiering – Vital Records
P.O. Box 64499
St Paul, MN 55164
Phone number: 651-201-5740
The Minnesota Birth Certificate Application will require specific details.
You can request a certified copy of a birth record by completing the Minnesota Birth Certificate Application and submitting it in person or by mail.
You can also contact your local Minnesota county vital records office to submit the form in person.
The cost for a certified birth certificate in Minnesota is $26.
The Minnesota Death Certificate Application will require specific details.
You can obtain a Minnesota death record by completing the Death Certificate Application and submitting it in person or by mail.
You can also contact your local Minnesota county vital records office to submit the form in person.
The cost for a certified death certificate in Minnesota is $13.
The County Recorder’s Office maintains marriage records in Minnesota.
You will need to contact your local Recorder to inquire about forms, fees, and office hours.
You can search the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) for a marriage record.
If you request the marriage certificate in person, you must contact the Local Registrar in the county where the marriage license was issued.
The cost of a certified copy of a marriage certificate is $9 in Minnesota.
Cambridge Deputy Registrar Office
225 Ashland St S
Cambridge, MN 55008
Phone number: 763-689-1130
The County Administrator maintains divorce records in Minnesota.
You will need to contact the County Administrator in your jurisdiction to inquire about forms, fees, and office hours.
You will need to contact the County Administrator where the divorce decree was issued.
Example – Isanti County
555 18th Avenue SW
Cambridge, MN 55008
Phone number: 763-290-7020
The County Assessor’s Office maintains public property records in Minnesota.
The property records you can access include:
Public property record requests vary depending on the Minnesota county where the property record is maintained.
Contact your County Court Administrator’s Office to inquire about forms, fees, and office hours.
You will contact the County Assessor’s Office in the county that maintains the Minnesota property record.
Example – Hennepin County Assessor
Hennepin Public Property Record Search webpage
Hennepin County Government Center
300 South 6th St # A2103
Minneapolis, MN 55487
Minnesota records are accessible to anyone.
You can request a Minnesota public record regardless of if you live in the state, or have United States citizenship.
Minnesota does not have a records custodian.
There are many specific exemptions within the legislative and judicial branches, even though neither is considered exempt.
Documents related to the legislature are exempt in many cases, and judicial documents related to domestic abuse records, judicial work products, and court service records are exempt. Administrative records relating to security, employees, and applicant are also exempt.
Requesters would need to look at the law to determine if a specific document is exempt and to clarify the Minnesota rules of public access to records.
Minnesota does not have a time limit for the state to respond to a FOIA request.
You can appeal to the Commissioner of Administration. A requester can file an appeal up to two years after receiving a denial.
Fees charged for various records in Minnesota can be a bit murky. There is no charge to inspect records in person.
There are charges for government employees to search and duplicate records electronically.
However, the agency cannot charge additionally for redacting records or spending time legally reviewing them before release.
Fees are increasing all the time in the state, especially regarding search time and labor costs.
There are no fee waivers for the media or those requests made in the public interest.