State Websites
Each state maintains huge repositories of records, usually located in the capital. These records provide
information about individual citizens who reside, and businesses that operate, somewhere within that state.
Records, most often in summary form, arrive from cities and counties all around the state for storage.
Some records stored in these repositories are generated at state level.
Records can be searched either by accessing free public records online via the record holders database
(when available) or by requesting a copy from the agency holding the record, usually for a small fee.
Or . . . You can run our Expert Assisted
Complete Background Check online right now,
tapping our connections to a vast network of Public Records and Proprietary
Databases.Reference Books
The Book of States and The National Directory of State Agencies list all state agencies, their telephone numbers and addresses.
The State Information Book can help you locate court administrators, various tourism and promotion departments (they provide maps), law libraries, and other potentially beneficial sources.
State Level Records Searches
Searching records at the state level has one advantage: you are able to search a
large geographical area all at once, enabling you to determine which records
will require further perusal at the county and local level and at which
courthouse those records are being maintained. (Much of the data collected at
county level are forwarded to state repositories in summary form.)
Computer Database
Many states maintain accessible computer database files and microfiche of certain records for sale.
Many states also provide access to computer databases to Information Providers, who, in turn, sell
that information to Professional Investigators as well as to individuals. Specialized Information Brokers,
Information Providers, and Information Professionals also have access to driver and motor vehicle information
from those states that make that information part of public records. Don't overlook the value of old records.
See ALL Background ChecksDepartment of Motor Vehicles - DMV
The DMV maintains records concerning vehicle registration. There is no national
repository of vehicle data or driving records that is open to the public. Each
state maintains its own computer system to store that information. Methods and
formats for storage vary from state to state as do the rules and regulations
governing release of information. It is best to call the department or division
for full information about requirements for release of information.
There are four types of searches that can be performed in many, but certainly not all, states. They are:
- Tag Trace: Provide a tag number and the department will provide the name
of the registered owner, address of the owner, VIN, and sometimes the owner's DOB. (Most states.)
- VIN: You furnish the VIN and the department will provide the same
information as listed above - and sometimes the name of the lien holder.
- Title Trace: This trace is similar to the above traces, except in
some states you will be furnished the name of the previous owner.
- Alpha Trace: Some states offer this trace, which requires that you
furnish subject's name and DOB. You'll receive a list of vehicles owned by the subject.
Any or all of these traces can prove helpful when you are tracing a missing person or attempting to locate an
individual's assets.
To request for information about a certain vehicle and/or the owner's of that vehicle.
It is helpful to furnish: VIN, name, DOB.
The records will show:
Owner's name
DOB
Year, make, and model of vehicle
Driver license number (sometimes)
Insurance company (sometimes)
Liens against vehicle
To obtain information about a vehicle's registration, furnish: Tag number or name and DOB
The record will show:
Name, address, DOB, and driver license number
VIN, year, make, model of vehicle
Insurance company (sometimes)
Some states maintain divisions, agencies, or departments that compile and maintain both motor vehicle records and
driver records (driver licenses and driving records); other states maintain
separate divisions.
The rules governing the release of driving records and driver license records, like those
governing motor vehicle records, vary widely. Most states will provide a current
address for an individual driver.
Driver license information: If the laws of the state in question allow the release of
driver license information, it will contain the name and address of the individual,
DOB, height, weight, color of eyes, hair color, type of license issued, and sometimes,
the license expiration date.
Driver license traffic violations: This record will reflect traffic tickets charged to
subject, as well as subject's involvement in accidents.
You must furnish: Full Name & DOB.
Also helpful to furnish: Driver license Number, Known Addresses, SSN
The record will show:
Address
DOB & SSN (Verified)
Date of previous test
Physical description
Driving restrictions
Moving violations & accidents
Vehicles owned
Insurance company
Liens against vehicles
Place of employment (sometimes)
Driver licenses may be renewed as infrequently as every four years in many states,
while almost every state requires motor vehicle tags be renewed annually.
Old driver license information may have been saved on microfiche, computer database,
computer magnetic tape, or in written files. This information is usually accessible
in person at the repository in the state in question.
Database Information Providers can search by name and DOB, tag number, or VIN. Sometimes
a database may be able to furnish a "driver record face page," which contains identifying
information - even if the driving record is not otherwise accessible.
Some databases have the capability to conduct a national driver record search,
although this type search may be prohibitively expensive.
Law enforcement departments maintain records of all licensed drivers. These folks record all accidents, maintain or have access to motor vehicle data, accident reports, and traffic tickets.
For accident reports, you must furnish: Full name
The record will show:
Names of individual involved
Addresses of all parties
Passengers & Charges
Vehicle involved
Location of accident
In most states, boat and vessel registration must be renewed every year.
To tap this information base, you'll need to furnish: A full name
The record will show:
Name, address
Boat or vessel type or description and/or ID number
Department of Public Health - Bureau of Vital Statistics - Department of Human Services
This bureau collects records pertaining to births, marriages, divorces, and deaths. The data collected is summary information furnished by counties. Check with county courthouse for detailed information. See
State Directory
for individual State Records & Websites:
The state will search records, some of which are unavailable to you, in an attempt to locate missing
parents who owe outstanding-court ordered child support.
Department of Justice, State Supreme Court
The state supreme court's record repository receives all court records involving
civil and criminal litigation. Check with the individual court clerk's office for specific information about searching records and the release of information. Requirements vary widely.
Some states do not consider all court records to be public information. The court docket,
however, is available to anyone. The docket lists names (and sometimes addresses) of both
the plaintiff and the defendant, as well as the attorneys involved.
This office maintains records concerning business and professional licensing.
All sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations are registered with
this office. Most financing statements are filed at the state level, usually
with the Secretary of State's Office.Business Information
To get information about a business concern, you will need to furnish:
Name of business
The record will show:
Names and addresses of officers
Date business began
Debtor and secured party are listed on UCC filings that concern business financing transactions,
such as a loan or a lease, when personal property is involved. UCC filings will reveal exactly
what property is encumbered by liens and what property has been put up as collateral.
The debtor might be a partner, spouse, stockholder - or the business itself.
The secured party could be a bank, a leasing company, an individual, or a company.
UCC filings are usually active for five years, unless specifically continued.
Note: Sometimes a checking or savings account
can be located through this filing.
You must furnish:
Name of debtor, or name of secured party.
The record will show:
Names of both parties
Addresses of both parties
Spouse (sometimes)
Partner's name (sometimes)
Stockholder's name (sometimes)
Items put up as collateral
If you must search UCC filings nationally, consider engaging the services of an
Information Broker or Information Provider. You can run a
Background Check
using our connections to a world
network of databases..
Several departments and agencies regulate various groups of business
professionals. Any professional person required to be licensed is regulated by
one or more division of this department or agency. Call the state hotline for
information.
Worker's Compensation is a privately-funded insurance program governed by the
varying and widely differing laws of each state. Records held by this department
contain only worker's compensation claims. Generally, two types of information
is available: "First Report of Injury," and "Court Contested Claims." *To obtain
data from this department, you'll need: Name, SSN, and DOB (if possible)
To obtain data from this department, you'll need:
Name, SSN, and DOB (if possible)
The records will show:
Employer, date of incident & time lost
Type of injury: body part affected: or related disability
This licensing authority maintains records of all liquor license applications,
which contain extensive financial and other background information.
This is a central location for storing historical state documents, county
records, local and state histories, newspapers published in that state, old
phone books, city directories, census records, and old voter registration rolls.
The staff of these facilities are very familiar with the records they have been
charged to keep, as well as the sources of all records. If they do not have what
you are looking for, they may be able to advise you where to find it. |
