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Marriage & Divorce Records, Warrants, State Records Free HomeContact Us 1 (800) 503-1410 HomeContact Us 1 (800) 503-1410 Search Marriage & Divorce Records, Warrants, State Records Free Records Page is an organization committed to developing free resources and public services that further public records’ transparency and safeguard civil liberties. Through our guides, citizens learn how to exercise their rights if criminal records are used in a discriminatory manner, as well as how to make public record requests to see what information is considered public records. Our mission is to combat the misuse of criminal records so people with a criminal history are not unfairly denied opportunities such as housing, employment, licensing, and education while promoting transparency. Through our free resources, anyone can learn about what protections are in place and what actions can be taken when facing discrimination. Additionally, citizens can see publicly available information by learning how to find, navigate and search federal, state, and local government repositories such as law enforcement agencies, courts, vital records offices, and more. Public information that can be sought out through government databases includes but is not limited to: Criminal records (felonies, misdemeanors, probation, parole, background checks, warrants, motor vehicle infractions, and more) Offender registries (offenders ranging from violent offenders, domestic abuse Arrests records (inmate logs or recent arrests, mugshots, police reports etc.) State and federal prisoner records (where a prisoner is located, visitation hours and how to contact them) Court records (crimes, small claims, litigations, estate probate, marriage and divorce records, child support, adoption, domestic abuse, bankruptcy and more) Vital records (marriage, divorce, birth, or death certificates) State or federal government records Property records including liens, levies, and taxes Tax records Reverse address lookups The Availability of Public Records The information above is, in part, made available through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) , which regulates government documents from federal agencies and the executive branch. Furthermore, each state has its own Public Record Law or Freedom of Information Act that governs the availability and distribution of records surrounding state institutions and, as a byproduct, individuals’ information documented by government agencies. Each state has FOIA-inspired laws or acts, and the restrictions and limitations vary. While these statutes make public records readily accessible, several agencies and statutes are in place to protect how public records and criminal records are obtained and to ensure they used ethically. Your Rights Regarding Public & Criminal Records While public records can be sought out for personal or professional purposes, both uses have stipulations to ensure they’re not misused. Professional public record searches are commonly referred to as background checks and may be necessary for employment, housing, licensing, volunteering, and other purposes. However, these searches can not be done on a whim since they must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, among other laws, regulations, and governing bodies, including but not limited to: The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) – limits the reporting of most crimes to 7 years (10 years for bankruptcy) and among other rights , ensures informed consent, the ability to review and correct the background check report for inaccurate information, and informs the applicant if information from a pre-employment background check was used to make an adverse employment decision as well as the right to appeal a decision. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) – enforces equal employment opportunities and ensures background checks are non-discriminatory. The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) – manages fraudulent matters, such as when a background check is done without the applicant’s permission. Ban the Box Laws – are only applicable in some states but prohibit employers from asking about an applicant’s criminal history on job applications or until later stages in the hiring process. The Fair Housing Act – oversees issues surrounding housing discrimination. State, County & City Employment Laws – offer additional protections and vary between jurisdictions. If a background check was used discriminatorily, individuals may contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or EEOC at +1-800-669-4000 or +1-800-669-6820 (TTY). Furthermore, if a background check or public records search was conducted without permission for matters such as employment, housing, credit lines, insurance, licensing, and/or government benefits, the Federal Trade Commission or FTC can provide assistance. The FTC can be contacted at +1-877-382-4357 or +1-866-653-4261 (TTY). There is an abundance of protections in place and legal counsel may help navigate the intricacies of local laws and regulations and determine the best course of action in a given situation. On the other hand, public record searches for personal uses can help find genealogy or family history by looking through marriage and divorce records of friends, family, or colleagues. Or they can be done for safety reasons like checking if an acquaintance has a history of violence by checking probation, parole, warrant, offender, and prisoner records. Public records provide valuable insight and offer transparency, but they must not be used to stalk, harass, or intimidate others; and local laws and regulations regarding privacy and the ethical use of public records must be adhered to. Obtaining Public Records: The Basics When obtaining personal public records or public information on another person, a systematic approach should be taken to avoid wasted efforts or shortcomings. For example, searching for court cases, bankruptcy information, recent arrest, and marriage information seems simple enough, but the processes, government organizational structure, and record keepers vary between each state and jurisdiction, which adds extra layers of complexity. Figuring out where a record originated can make or break a search, so searching for others’ information boils down to three primary steps, although personal searches canfor the key phrases inmate finder”, locate an inmate”, inmate search” etc. Source: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation 4 3. Search by first and last name Source: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation 5 If that doesn’t turn up any results, VINELink , a state-sponsored victim notification network, also allows people to search state inmates by name, case number, or ID number and the search reveals where the inmate is located, their mugshot, court hearings, release dates, and allows custody status alerts” to be set. Those in federal prison can be found using the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Search Tool . Federal prisoners can be found using the link above and searched by first and last name or by their BOP Registry Number. How To Access or Request Copies of Vital Records Vital records are certificates issued for major life events such as a birth, death, marriage, or divorce, and every jurisdiction’s vital records have various restrictions on who can access these records. A few states allow anyone to access recent vital records, but most states only allow authorized individuals to access vital records. Authorized individuals can be parents, grandparents, siblings, legal guardians, or legal heirs, but authorized individuals vary by state laws. Despite the restrictions on who can access this information, third-party search sites check government resources and other online sites like social media so they may have more information where access to vital records is restricted. Additionally, marriage and divorce rates are made public by the U.S. Census Bureau, and the image below shows the percentage of divorced individuals in each state in...