Ways agencies make their databases available
- Direct access to the agency's computer:
ie: Minnesota's dial-in account to Department of Motor Vehicle records.
- Advantages: The data is as current as the agency
has available, you are searching the same database they use.
- Disadvantages: Sometimes the search interface
is not designed for consumer use, but for agency use, and is not very
user friendly. It is possible the agency can monitor what is being searched
on the database. Sometimes the database is available only during regular
office hours.
- Gateway through a commercial database vendor:ie: The computer holding Florida's Secretary of State Corporations
database is accessed through CompuServe.
- Advantages: Same as above, you are getting
exactly what the agency has available.
- Disadvantages: Same as above, plus there is
usually an additional charge for the time you are on the commercial
database vendor.
- Agency sells database to a vendor: This
is the fastest growing area, public records resellers buy and repackage
public records databases.
- Advantages: The searching and look of the database
is more consumer oriented and usually easier to use. There is
often a wide range of databases available (by type of record or geographic
area) providing "one-stop shopping" for public records.
Some services pull records together, giving you a dossier of the person
you are looking for. Usually, there is virtually 24-hour, seven
day a week access to the records.
- Disadvantages: Records are often not as current
as direct access to the agency's database, be sure you know when the
records are updated. All counties in a state database may not
be represented, be sure you know the coverage of the data. You
are paying a premium for the access and searchability of the data, it
may be the more expensive access option.
- Through a bulletin board service: Federal
circuit courts and bankruptcy courts offer bbs dial-in service to appellate
court decisions and docket information. There is a central registration
number to call (800-676-6856). Click to the Directory
of Electronic Access to U.S. Federal Courts for more information (http://www.uscourts.gov)
- Advantages: Fairly inexpensive ($.75 / minute),
some districts are free. Does not require high-end computer to access.
- Disadvantages: Separate access to the different
courts, no centralized call-in. Different courts have their bbs arranged
differently.
- On the internet: The University of Kentucky
has put the state's Dept.
of Health Statistics files on a gopher server which contains death records
(1911-1992), marriage records (1973-1993), and divorces (1973-1993). Hopefully,
this will start a trend in university / agency collaboration and use of
Internet accessibility.
- Advantages: FREE! Quick and easy search template.
Provides basic information (age, race, residence county, and date of
event).
- Disadvantages: The search is by name only.
- * The "About these files" documents are
excellent in that they caution about the quality of the records and
give full instructions for use of this dataset.
- Locator service subscribes to various vendors:
Many service companies are springing up which subscribe to the various
public records databases and offer comprehensive search and retrieval of
records in both electronic and paper form.
- Advantages: You don't have to have subscriptions
to a number of different services. They can access records in a number
of forms through network of searchers in various cities.
- Disadvantages: Probably the most costly option
since the search service passes along the cost of the search as well
as a service charge. Usually, quick turnaround service costs extra,
may be several days delay in getting some records.
- * for examples of public records search services
click to National Locator and Data
, DataQuest
or Sherlock
(this is by no means an endorsement of these particular services,
they just provide an interesting inventory of the types of records available!)
- Purchase tapes of the data and access on your
own computer: ie: Waterbury, CT's city employees database has been
purchased and stored on city reporters' laptop computers, allowing quick
checks of names, addresses, salaries of employees.b
- Advantages: No cost for searching after the
data has been purchased. The data can run on software that is designed
for easy use.
- Disadvantages: For databases with frequent
updates and changes, the purchased database is quickly outdated.
<< previous next >>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
People Search
Background Checks
Services
Sponsors
