How to Search Public Records: 7 Best Online Tools Listed for 2024

How to Search Public Records: 7 Best Online Tools Listed for 2024

A public record search can turn up significant details about the individuals in one’s personal life. You can use it to search public records and research your partner’s background, potential love interest, relatives, friends, and neighbors.

It assists you in deciding whether it’s risk-free for you to begin or sustain a friendship with another person.

We suggest using BeenVerified, PeopleLooker, or TruthFinder if you need to search public records quickly and people search free public records. 

It’s always the best option for background check services of all kinds, including general information research and reverse phone number searches.

>> Visit BeenVerified >>

How to Search Public Records

You should search public records to feel confident associating with others around you. And anyway, you can learn crucial information from public records search sites that can show whether a person is really who they claim to be.

Information open for anyone to review is known as search public records. Although certain documents are accessible to the public, this doesn’t imply that they’re unrestricted, or available for download via the Internet.

You must, therefore, learn how to locate public records and documents organized and effectively. To begin your search for public records, adhere to the three procedures listed below.

Option 1: Use Public Records Search Tools

Use open records search tools to learn more about the individual whose history you’re checking.

Using people search public records tools can help you save time and energy by instantly giving you access to data like contact details, locations, and social media accounts. These resources compile and search public records that are simple to find using a search engine.

We advise using search public records, and people search free public records tools to locate all the information you’re looking for and arrange it simply to understand. Compared to the other two ways, the research can be completed in minutes.

We advise you to utilize BeenVerified, PeopleLooker, or TruthFinder if you decide to go this route. The complete list of our best suggestions for finding search public records is provided below:

>> Consider BeenVerified >>

Option 2: Search Online Sources

Head to the official site of the county, state, federal, or court that your background check would affect. 

To search public records and find public records search tools correctly in the website’s online source, be sure to include the entire name of the individual whose information you’re looking for.

Marital and divorce records are generally at the state or county level. You can search for death records on the regional secretary of state’s website.

The National Archives site and several immigration portals also allow you to look for immigration records. Also, the district or county archives can access legal or civil court records.

Option 3: Request Public Records

While certain public records can be accessed through public sources, you might need to submit a request to the local or state government to search public records, and people search free public records, like financial records and vehicle registration.

Depending on the demands of the government organization you’re contacting, you may send your public record application via email address, postal mail, or online.

You can search public records for yourself and other individuals by submitting requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Since 1967, people could search public records for free using the Federal Records Act. This act allows people to ask any federal agency for access to records.

Be aware that it’s possible that the information won’t be given to you if the data endangers national security, personal privacy, or law enforcement procedures.

Types of Public Records You Should Search For

When you’re looking for information on your partner, friends, or relatives, there are many public records that you can check. Here are some instances of typical public records that you can access:

  • Date of birth
  • Marriage certificate
  • Divorce files
  • Certificate of death
  • Driving background
  • Property ownership
  • Crime histories
  • Records of civil cases

Choose the record depending on what information you want to learn about someone. 

We advise using a background search tool like BeenVerified so that you can quickly search public records and compile all the information in one place.

>> Search Public Records With BeenVerified >>

What You Need to Know About Public Records Search

It’s crucial to determine whether a people search for public records is the best way to get the information you require before you start.

If you conduct one of these searches independently, it may take weeks. To avoid wasting time, ensure you have the bare minimum of information before you start. Before beginning to search public records, it’s essential to be aware of the most fundamental informational queries about searching public records.

What Are Public Records?

Public records and documents are non-confidential records that anybody can legally access. Anyone interested in the data contained in these documents is free to access or download them.

Public law and corporate procedures result in creating or filing public records. Search public records are typically printed, but many government organizations update them by making digital copies that may be kept and accessible through Internet sources.

What Is a Public Records Search?

Searching public records to find documents accessible to the public is known as a people search public records. Those interested in learning more about the history of someone they know or may come into contact with personally perform it.

Those who are curious about what publicly accessible knowledge exists about themselves may also conduct it.

What Are the Benefits of Searching for Public Records?

Searching for public records and documents about individuals you’re involved with has many benefits.

  • Detailed Information: People search free public records to search public records and find personal information like name and birth records, relationship status, and location. The relevancy of the personal information that the other individual supplied with you can be checked using this official information.
  • Safety Check: If the individual you’re researching has ever been a party to a civil or criminal action, it may be revealed in court records. For personal safety reasons, conducting a background check on a person is a wise risk management practice.
  • Informed Choice: By conducting a background check, you can search public records to decide whether to begin or sustain a love relationship or close friendship with someone.

>> Search Public Records With BeenVerified >>

Best 7 Public Records Search Tools

Using search tools for public records, you can quickly and easily find out details about the individuals in your personal sphere. The top seven resources for a personal search of public records are as follows:

  • BeenVerified ($29.99/mo) – The Greatest Public Records Search Engine
  • TruthFinder ($28.05 / 1 month or $46.56 / 2 months) – Great Value for Money
  • Intelius ($24.86 / 30 days or $42.25 / 60 days) – Great Public Record Search in Terms of Usability
  • Spokeo (Custom) – Best Data Source for Versatility
  • PeopleFinders ($24.95 / month) – Value for the Money Plus Quick Results

If you’re curious about how to find public records and documents quickly, public records search tools can help you find important information that verifies whether other people are who they say they are. 

Examine the specifications and costs of the instruments on our list to choose which best suits your needs.

1. BeenVerified: Best Tool to Search Public Records Overall

BeenVerified is one of the top search public records services because it provides a court runner operation, in which a BeenVerified staff physically attends courts to obtain papers that have yet to be uploaded to the company’s website. Read our complete BeenVerified review here.

Android and iOS platforms have mobile applications available that can search public records. However, the site doesn’t allow individual searches; membership is required. You can only view the rates once all the “loading” windows have been completed. 

Some complain that the results could be more adequate than those of other top background check sites.

Pricing:

  • 1 Month Membership: $29.99/mo
  • 3 Month Membership: $19.49/mo, billed $54.48 every quarter

>> Search Public Records With BeenVerified >>

2. PeopleLooker: Best Public Records Search Tool for Reliability

PeopleLooker is a website that allows people to search public records from various sources, including social media, public records, and internet directories.

It’s a simple-to-use website that offers various services, like address and phone lookups and background checks. 

PeopleLooker enables users to quickly and easily search public records to look up people check their contact details, criminal histories, and other personal information. People search for public records is simple and simple with PeopleLooker.

PeopleLooker is a helpful tool for anyone looking for information on people, albeit the information’s relevancy may vary.

The relevancy of the information offered by PeopleLooker when searching public records may be affected by the source of the information, a person’s security features, and the veracity of the information.

Although PeopleLooker makes every effort to ensure the precision of the data it provides, there may be instances where the information is inaccurate, out-of-date, or incomplete.

Pricing:

  • 7 Day Trial Membership: $1
  • 1 Month Membership: $23.99/mo
  • 3 Month Membership: $19.19 /mo, billed $57.57 every quarter

>> Search Public Records With PeopleLooker >>

3. TruthFinder: Highest Value for Money 

TruthFinder is a tool for searching public records that lets you look up most Americans. You can access billions of documents thanks to it. It searches for records from online county, local, state, and federal archives, and third-party sources.

It can deliver the data in a straightforward but comprehensive report that’s simple to explore. It lets you quickly discover a person’s entire name, contact information, mailing address, and email address.

You can access personal information, past locations, licenses, criminal histories, financial data, profiles on social media, and dating profiles. By making the information accessible online, it avoids making time-consuming trips to several government offices and courthouses.

We named it the best public records search engine because TruthFinder combines a wealth of information resources, cutting-edge capabilities, and security options. It lets you share the information with your relatives and friends and filter many search results. 

DISCLAIMER: You may not use TruthFinder or the information it provides to make decisions about consumer credit, employment, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance. TruthFinder does not provide consumer reports and is not a consumer reporting agency. (These terms have special meanings under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC 1681 et seq., (“FCRA”), which are incorporated herein by reference.)”

Pricing:

  • 1 Month Unlimited Reports: $28.05/mo
  • 2 Months Unlimited Reports: $23.28/mo, billed $46.56/2 mo

>> Search Public Records With TruthFinder >>

4. Intelius: Best for Usability

A well-known public data source on persons and their relationships with others is Intelius. It offers search public records services that help you learn more about the present and past lives of the people in your circle of friends. 

Its search tool combs through data from multiple sources and gathers the information in one place. If you want to make new acquaintances or get in touch with old friends, you could use Intelius to search public records to look up persons, telephone numbers, addresses, and criminal histories. 

You can use it to learn who is phoning you and what connects to your own background searches. Because of its dedication to customer privacy, Intelius is recognized as a great public data check tool with a user-friendly interface. It uses a 256-bit secure link to protect the privacy of your searches. 

Also, it promises never to alert the persons you look up on this platform.

Pricing:

  • 30 Days Unlimited Person Reports Membership: $24.86/mo
  • 60 Days Unlimited Person Reports Membership: $21.13/mo, billed $42.25 every 2 months

DISCLAIMER: You may not use Intelius or the information it provides to make decisions about consumer credit, employment, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance. TruthFinder does not provide consumer reports and is not a consumer reporting agency. (These terms have special meanings under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC 1681 et seq., (“FCRA”), which are incorporated herein by reference.)”

>> Search Public Records With Intelius >>

5. Instant Checkmate: Best for Simplicity

Background checking is the focus of the public records search company Instant Checkmate. It offers crucial details about those who live in the United States. It can look for a person’s name, age, address, and court records.

If you’re looking to search public records, online criminal background checks are available, especially if you suspect someone has a violent past. Data regarding felonies, sex crimes, minor offenses, and traffic violations can be found through the public arrest history search engine.

You may see whether a person has ever been detained or arrested. We consider Instant Checkmate the most user-friendly people search tool because it’s simple to use.

As you start your search, pop-up suggestions will direct you to provide more data on the individual to improve your results.

Also, it’s simple to unsubscribe from the query source, thanks to a prominent button in the footer area. A 128-bit encrypted connection and Norton encryption keep all searches secure.

Pricing:

  • 1 Month Unlimited Person Reports: $35.12/mo
  • 3 Months Unlimited Person Reports: $28.09/mo billed $84.28/3 months

DISCLAIMER: You may not use Instant Checkmate or the information it provides to make decisions about consumer credit, employment, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance. Instant Checkmate does not provide consumer reports and is not a consumer reporting agency. (These terms have special meanings under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC 1681 et seq., (“FCRA”), which are incorporated herein by reference.)”

>> Search Public Records With Instant Checkmate >> 

6. Spokeo: Best for Versatility

A people search site called Spokeo provides in-depth reports on people’s backgrounds. It allows you to look up people’s names, aliases, contact details, profiles on social media, location information, familial ties, and court records.

You can find folks and contact them with the help of this tool. So long as your Spokeo profile is active, it can provide report updates. As the sources fill up with more data, it updates your reports with the latest information. 

Because Spokeo obtains its data from so many sources, we consider it to be the most versatile public records search engine available. It gathers over 12 billion documents from social networks, court records, historical archives, and property data.

You may use it for various things, like running a background check, getting in touch with lost loved ones, and preventing fraud.

>> Search Public Records With Spokeo >>

7. PeopleFinders: Best for Speedy Results

One of the first people search tools, PeopleFinders has been around for a long time. It offers access to search public records and white page listings from over 6,000 data sources. It allows you to search for people using their names, contact information, and addresses.

It details possessions, real estate, criminal background, associations, and kinship. Because of the cheaper rates of its monthly subscriptions, we have given PeopleFinders the title of best for value. 

You can select the ordinary membership option if you only require the most basic information. You can also choose the premium option, which provides value for money because it includes comprehensive data and exclusive benefits for a reasonably low cost.

Pricing:

>> Search Public Records With PeopleFinders >>

Final Thoughts on the Best Public Records Search Tools

With public record search tools, you can learn important details about individuals with whom you may or may not have a personal connection. 

This information can help you decide whether to make friends with your neighbors or strengthen your family ties with your relatives. It may even help you decide whether to propose marriage to your partner. 

BeenVerified is the greatest tool we’ve reviewed despite many excellent alternatives. You may obtain the required data in minutes, and it’s inexpensive and simple to use. To acquire a compilation of publicly available data about your target, sign up immediately and try it out with your first search. 

>> Run a Public Records Search With BeenVerified Now >>

Public Records Search Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you’re looking to search public records, it can be time-consuming and difficult if you need help finding where to look. We’ve gathered a handful of the most often-asked questions to provide the relevant information for your search.

Is It Legal to Conduct a Public Records Search?

Yes. In the United States, looking up public records and documents is permitted. The American public can ask federal government entities for public records because of the 1967 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

The only exempt documents are those that could jeopardize national security, invade someone’s privacy, or contravene laws and regulations.

Why Should You Conduct a Public Records Search?

If you want to search public records to access information vital to your security and peace of mind, conduct a public records search. They provide information about your partner, girlfriend, pals, and family members’ backgrounds and personalities.

What Are Public Records Search Tools?

Tools to search public records are internet sites or applications that compile and organize data from various sources. They gather the data and create simple reports to read and understand. When you check the backgrounds of individuals in your circle, these tools can save you time and work.

What Can I Legally Use Public Records Search Tools For?

Tools for searching public records can be used for anyone you have a personal relationship with, including your husband, wife, suitor, neighbors, friends, and relatives. 

Use of these tools for professional reasons, such as tenant screening, loan qualification, employment screening, or credit processing, is prohibited by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

What Are the Best Public Records Search Tools?

Today’s market is filled with several public search tools. Even if it’s not always simple to tell which are real and which are frauds, we’ve reviewed many of them to locate the most excellent choice for you. 

The greatest person’s search engine is BeenVerified since it combines a wealth of information resources, cutting-edge features, and security settings. 

>> Search Public Records With BeenVerified >>

All product names, logos, brands, trademarks, and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

DISCLAIMER: You may not use the non-FCRA approved services mentioned in this article or the information they provide to make decisions about consumer credit, employment, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance. These services don’t provide consumer reports and are not consumer reporting agencies. (These terms have special meanings under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC 1681 et seq., (“FCRA”), which are incorporated herein by reference.) 

The information available on our website may not be 100% accurate, complete, or up to date, so do not use it as a substitute for your own due diligence, especially if you have concerns about a person’s criminal history. The services we mention do not make any representation or warranty about the accuracy of the information available through our website or about the character or integrity of the person about whom you inquire. For more information, please review each service’s Terms of Use.

 

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