Public Records Search: The Complete 2026 Guide

"Public record" is a term people throw around loosely. It has a specific legal meaning, and knowing what's actually public — versus what's commonly assumed to be public — saves a lot of wasted time.

What "public record" actually means

A public record is any document created by a government agency that is, by statute, available to any member of the public on request. The federal version is governed by FOIA; each state has its own equivalent (CPRA in California, FOIL in New York, etc.).

The six categories of public records

1. Court records — civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic. PACER (federal) and state e-filing portals.
2. Property records — deeds, mortgages, tax assessments. County recorder/assessor.
3. Business records — incorporation filings, UCC liens, annual reports. Secretary of State.
4. Vital records — birth, marriage, divorce, death. State or county vital records office. Often restricted to relatives.
5. Criminal records — arrests, convictions, sex offender registry. State police repository or county clerk.
6. Professional licenses — every regulated profession. State licensing board.

What is NOT a public record (despite popular belief)

• Tax returns (federal or state)
• Social Security numbers
• Bank account records
• Medical records (HIPAA-protected)
• Most juvenile court records
• Sealed or expunged records

How to search efficiently

Going agency-by-agency is the thorough way. A people-search aggregator is the fast way. The right choice depends on whether you need defensible documentation (use the agency) or an answer (use the aggregator).

Fees and turnaround

Most public records are free to view online. Certified copies cost $5-$25. FOIA requests have a 10-30 day statutory response window depending on jurisdiction.