The Most Common Public Records and What They Reveal About a Person

The 1966 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which made certain types of information available to regular citizens, marked a key turning point in transparent and open government in the U.S.

This was followed by state-level action to facilitate the disclosure of vital data. The state of California, for example, passed the California Public Records Act in 1968, defining the local law on access to public information.

However, public records aren’t just about government activities. They include personal data of Americans, too. 

Today, these have become invaluable for making critical decisions, especially when it comes to lending, employment, property renting, and school admission.

But what kinds of public records are out there, and what can they disclose to strangers? We take a deep dive into this topic to find the answers.

Common Public Records and What They Disclose About Others

A range of documents are categorized as public records in the U.S. Most of them relate to government activities. Examples include bills, laws, regulations, evaluations of state programs, budgets, and procurement details.

Even text messages government officials send or receive concerning public business can be termed public material.

But it’s not just government information that’s considered public. For instance, business registrations and financial statements of listed entities are also classified under this.

The vast amount of records available to the general public include details relating to individuals, too. Here are the common ones and what they can reveal about a person.

Birth and Death Certificates

A birth certificate discloses an individual’s name, gender, date of birth, birthplace, and the parents’ names. In some cases, it may also include the parents’ dates of birth, address, marital status (of the mother), occupations, and the grandparents’ names.

Death certificates usually contain the name, age, gender, birthplace, address, marital status, and names of parents and the surviving spouse of the deceased. They also list details of the cause of death and disposition, among other information.

Marriage Records

Classified as vital records, marriage certificates and divorce records are public documents in most states, although local laws may make it possible to keep them confidential in some places.

Marriage certificates can reveal a couple’s name, age, residence, occupation, parents’ names, married date, place of the ceremony, and details of the minister and witnesses. Divorce records may contain the couple’s names, date and place of the divorce, and other information generated during the proceedings.

Property Records

This is an important public document that records details not just about a property but also about its owners.

Property records typically include names and other ownership information, together with transaction dates when a property exchanges hands. They could also contain liens, taxes, and mortgage details, such as the name of the lender, type of borrowing, down payment amount, and the purchasing price (in disclosure states).

Court Records

To maintain judicial transparency, most court records are made available to the public unless they’re expunged or sealed for specific reasons.

This means if your name appears in a case file, docket, brief, or any other document relating to a legal dispute or lawsuit, anyone can uncover it at the courthouse where the proceedings took place.

Public court records also cover bankruptcy filings and various other circumstances in which the judicial system was involved.

Criminal Records

Similar to the courts, law enforcement agencies must also maintain transparency in their activities. So, arrest records and convictions are all made available to the public.

Therefore, if you have a criminal history, others can access details about your offenses, arrests, and charges.

Criminal records can include your full name, aliases, photos, date of birth, height, weight, and address, in addition to information about the offenses, such as crimes committed, dates of arrests, and outstanding warrants.

How Can Someone Get Access to Public Records?

There are several ways people can learn more about others by accessing public records.

Government Agencies

The FBI, county clerk’s offices, courthouses, and various other government organizations can provide public records. However, they each oversee different types of information. So, you must approach the right agency to find what you need. Once you identify the relevant government agency, you can call or visit them to make public records requests.

Today, many state and federal government databases are in digital form. So, in most cases, you might be able to request records online as well.

Credit Bureaus

The three major credit bureaus compile and issue credit information of those with a credit history.

Apart from you, lenders, employers, landlords, utility companies, insurers, and government organizations can legally access your credit report.

This can reveal bankruptcy information, which is a key piece of data classified as public records under U.S. law.

Nuwber

This is an excellent option to save time when you don’t want to go through the hassle of contacting several state organizations.

Nuwber is a people search engine that collects public records from various sources, including databases of federal and state government agencies.

This allows it to provide lots of valuable personal details about individuals, such as dates of birth, current and past addresses, contact details, assets, liens, bankruptcies, and criminal records.

Google

With a market share of 91.47%, Google is the dominant leader in online searches. It’s a free tool that provides unlimited access to search services on the internet.

To find public information, type a person’s name on its search bar with any other identifiable details you know. If there are matching results, Google will display them in its SERPs. However, unlike people search tools, it only provides links to the relevant online resources, not the extracted information.

In Conclusion

From birth and death certificates to marriage details, property information, court records, and criminal files, there are a range of documents freely available to the public in the U.S.

These can reveal a significant amount of personal information, including your date of birth, address, details about parents, spouse, and children, as well as any criminal history.

However, public records laws vary from one state to another. This means local governments have a say in what’s treated as confidential. And depending on the circumstances, certain information can also be removed or restricted from public access.

If you’re concerned about which of your personal details are out there, conduct a public record search of yourself first. Then, check what laws are applicable in your state and reach out to the relevant organizations to learn more about the specific procedures for data removal.

FAQ

In what instances would public records become useful?

Various individuals and entities may access your public records for different legitimate purposes.

Lenders, for example, often use credit reports to determine a person’s credit standing. These documents provide a snapshot of borrowings and repayments that have taken place in the past. A high credit rating hints at lower risk and vice versa. This information enables lenders to minimize risk.

Similarly, an individual’s criminal records allow organizations to make better decisions when it comes to hiring and providing security clearances. Public data can even be useful for identity verifications during school admission.

What type of information isn’t classified as a public record?

Some personal data are considered sensitive and confidential based on federal and state laws.

For instance, many states don’t classify medical records, social security numbers, and personal tax records as public data.

Other examples of information excluded from public access include adoption records and certain personally identifiable information.

Public records can also be considered private information for safety and security reasons. For example, details of a crime could be withheld when a victim’s safety is at risk.

What are the pros and cons of having public records?

Originally, the primary reason for making data accessible to the public was maintaining government transparency.

However, there are other benefits to this, such as public safety. The National Sex Offender Public Website, for instance, makes it easier for people to learn about registered offenders in their community so they can ensure their safety and that of their families.

But, sometimes, the availability of public records could also become an impediment to a person’s right to be treated fairly, as in the case of facing discrimination when seeking employment.

How can I correct a public record containing my information?

In rare situations, public records can contain inaccurate or outdated information: A criminal charge can wrongfully appear under your name due to a mistake made by a law enforcement agency. Or, your credit report could list an unpaid debt as a result of identity theft. Leaving these uncorrected is risky in the long term.

The process for rectifying them would vary depending on the organization that has recorded the information.

For instance, if you notice an unfamiliar loan in your credit report, you’ll need to reach out to the relevant lender and the credit bureaus and request an investigation.

Is it possible for someone to conceal their public information?

Sometimes, an individual could conceal their public records with the help of illegal means. You can often see this happening with criminals using fabricated, hybrid, or stolen identities.

A person can also legally remove their data from public access in certain situations. Expungement and record sealing are good examples of this. However, the possibility of removing or limiting access to records will depend on the local state law.

You can request data removal from non-government data sources, such as private online directories and people search sites, too. To find out the exact procedure for this, you must contact the webmaster or site owner.

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