Public Record Searching Techniques
This nine-page primer provides insight on the basics of public record searching including how to evaluate and use online sources.
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Helpful Information About Public Record Searching
The copyrighted articles below may not be re-produced or distributed without specific consent from BRB Publications.
Eight Tips for Searching Court's Online Record Databases
This nine-page primer provides insight on the basics of public record searching including how to evaluate and use online sources.
Read MoreA Guide to Motor Vehicle Records
Sometimes motor vehicle records are public, sometime not. This six-page article examines how to access driving records, license status checks, monitoring systems, vehicle title and registration records, vessel title and registration records, accident reports, and liens.
Read MoreFederal Agency Sanctions and Watch Lists
This four-page article examines where to find public record databases of individuals and companies that have sanctions, violations, enforcement actions, or warnings initiated against them by one of nine different federal government departments with sanctioning ability.
Read MoreDisturbing Facts About the Accuracy and Currency at State Criminal Record Repositories
Many employers and state licensing boards depend on state criminal record repositories as a primary resource when performing a criminal record background check. What these entities do not realize is that a search of the state criminal record database may not be as accurate as assumed. This information comes direct from a 132 page DOJ Survey.
Read MoreSearching Recorded Documents Judgments, and Liens
Recorded documents, judgments and liens are among the most popular types of public records sought. This six-page guide examines the basics when performing these searches at the local level.
Read MoreOverview of the Washington (State) Court System and Changes to Online Access
Washington has a new online access system to court records. The old system remains in place, but all courts are not necessarily participating in the new system and/or not updating content into the older system.
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Alerts
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Riverside, CA - Issues With New CMS
On January 21st, Riverside completed the transition to a new case management system. Since implementation the system's usage has been a challenge for users. It is reported that the system frequently crashes. These issues affect not online the online access but the onsite access via the court's public access terminals. Here's more about the new case management system and "Public Portal”. The new system provides access to the following types of records: Probate, Family Law, Civil, Criminal, and Traffic. Registration is required, and search fees apply. Please note that access to the legacy system, Riverside Public Access (RPA), was discontinued with this transition. To access the Public Portal, go to https://epublic-access.riverside.courts.ca.gov/public-portal/.
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Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Kent, Michigan Circuit Court - Change in Online Search Scope
Effective 1/1/2025, an online search of Kent, Michigan's Circuit Court criminal records will only yield cases from 2019 to present. Prior to this, case records dated back to 1996. The reason for this change is due to the Public Act 193 of 2020, Michigan's Clean Slate law. At this time, the court is reviewing their records to ensure they comply with this law. The review is expected to be temporary, lasting anywhere from several weeks to months. In the interim, the court staff are conducting searches for extended years as requested.
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Monday, November 4, 2024
Washington State Court -Website Down
December Update: Washington court and online systems are all up and running! Due to the system outage, many courts became backlogged, and records were not current once brought back online. Garfield is the lone county that is still working to catch up. They expect to be up-to-date by mid-December. 11/18/2024 Washington AOC has begun bringing court systems back online. This includes their public index found at https://dw.courts.wa.gov/. Intermittent disruptions may occur as they continue working to restore all networks. 11/4/2024 Washington state courts' online systems are currently down. This includes services found at courts.wa.gov/ along with case access and court hearing information. The outage has been cited due to "unauthorized activity" and is a precautionary as they ensure all assets are secure. King County has not been significantly affected because it maintains its own case management system.