Public records may be requested and researched for a variety of reasons, most often being genealogical research or background checks. The offices which maintain and provide these records to the public may vary somewhat from state to state, and may also only be found in the corresponding county where the event took place. Other records which may be of special interest include driving records, immigration records and professional license records. Other types of records that may be of interest but can be accessed include census information, SEC filings, bankruptcy and district court records, property records, political contribution records, and vital records such as birth, death, marriage and divorce records. Confidential records include educational, medical, some criminal, income tax and social welfare records. The many types of public records which you may access in a search are either confidential or not. This means that one state may allow access to different types of information in a marriage certificate than another, for example. These records are governed by state-specific laws and rules that do not cross state lines. Public records created and maintained at the state level are often found with the County Clerk or Vital Records Office for the corresponding locale. Most agency websites thus provide an easy way to request and obtain them. The advantage to searching for federal records is that an amendment to the FOIA deemed that these national records must be available electronically. Any record created by a federal agency or a federal official is likely maintained and provided by that agency or the National Archives. Public records are maintained at the state and/or federal level, depending upon the type of record you may be looking for. This redacted information is often considered a personal identifier, such as Social Security information, or may be inaccessible when it relates to a minor citizen. In addition, federal laws exist to protect the information that is disclosed and that which may be redacted from a record prior to providing it to the public. However, this law does exempt certain types of records which may be considered confidential, such as medical or educational records. Per the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), federal records are provided for public view upon request. Virtually any reason or subject you may need to research is most likely affected by or found within public records of some sort. They are largely helpful when conducting background checks, learning more about public government figures or the country’s history, or finding a lost loved one. These records are maintained by both federal and state agencies, and may be accessed by any citizen who submits an appropriate request. Public records are created with nearly every major event in an individual’s or company’s lifetime. Public Records Create a Path of Information Warrants, inmate records, vital records & Has the right to request access to public United States Code, section 552, any person
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