BRB's Public Records Blog

Washington State Driver Records

The state of Washington recently launched a new online service that permits a driver to request his/her own record at https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/dolprod/dsdiadr/. Requesters can view and print a PDF copy of the record. There is a $10.00 fee and use of a credit card is required. The driver's SSN must be on file.
 
Note that Washington offers a free online inquiry called Driver Status Display. The user may verify if a person has a valid WA DL, CDL, ID Card, Motorcycle endorsement or permit. All responses are in a yes or no format, no personal information is provided.  Visit https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/dolprod/dsdDriverStatusDisplay/.

Circuit and County Court Records at Gilchrist County Florida

This court holds Felony, Misdemeanor, Civil, Eviction, Small Claims, and Probate records. Mail turnaround time is 2-3 days. There is no public access terminal. The search fee is $2.00 per name per year. Copy fee is $1.00 per page. Will fax file documents for $1.00 per page, but available for civil only. Search judgments and liens online at http://records.gilchrist.fl.us/oncoreweb/. Access to County Clerk of Circuit Court records is at https://www2.myfloridacounty.com/ccm/?county=21

Taken from BRB's Public Record Research System

West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles Moves

The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles recently moved into 5707 MacCorkle Ave SE, Ste 200 Charleston  25317. Also new mailing addresses were established of driving record and vehicle records matters.
 
For driving record matters use  Compulsory Insurance Section, Driving Records, PO Box 17020 Charleston  25317, 304-558-4444. For Vehicle Record matters use vehicle Records, Box 17150, Charleston  25317 or 11???, 304-558-0282.

Delaware Consolidates Two JP Courts

In late December 2009, two New Castle County Court Justice of the Peace Court locations closed and consolidated operations into a new facility. Court #15, which was located in Claymont, officially closed. Court #11 which was located at 61 Christina Road in New Castle moved into the new Consolidated Court #11 location at 2 Penns Way #100, also in New Castle.
 
Effective December 23, 2009, all DUI matters and Hispanic arraignments for New Castle County are to be held at this new Court #11 location as well.

New Motor Vehicle Services in New Mexico

The New Mexico DMV recently contracted with New Mexico Interactive to provide all electronic media requests of driving record histories and vehicle records. For vehicle records, one record showing registration, lien, and title information is generated.  The VIN or plate number must be submitted - a name search is not available.

Records are available to subscribers who meet federal and state standards (DPPA).
 
The annual subscription fee is $75.00 for up to 10 users. The fee for either a driving record or vehicle record is $4.95. A non-hit result incurs a fee. Both single inquiry and batch modes are available for driving records. Monthly billing is provided.
 
Also, New Mexico Interactive provides a driver monitoring program for a subscribers that wish to monitor driving records for violations and suspensions. The program works on a monthly basis. The user supplies a driver list for a fee of $.12 per driver for each month checked (the check can go back in time). If there is activity, the system automatically generates a driving record for the $4.95 fee. Activity includes moving violations and withdrawal actions. The program is available for DDPA permissible use clients including employers and insurance companies. Also, sometime during the first quarter of 2010 New Mexico Interactive will launch a Youthful Driver Check that operates on a similar basis.
 
For more information call New Mexico Interactive at 877-660-3468 or visit the Online Services section at www.mvd.newmexico.gov.

New Online Site for Searching Delaware Trade, Business, and Fictitious Names

Delaware requires the registration of Trade, Business and Fictitious Names for persons, firms or associations engaging in or transacting any business within the state. These registrations are filed in the Office of the Prothonotary for each county where business is transacted. The Delaware State Courts recently unveiled a new searchable web page to view these registrations. Go to

http://courts.delaware.gov/Courts/Superior%20Court/?trade_names.htm.
 
Please note that the DE Secretary of State offers a free site to view businesses as well. Check an entity name for corporate status, file number, incorporation/formation date, registered agent name, address, phone number and residency at  https://delecorp.delaware.gov/tin/GINameSearch.jsp.
 
Also, the DE Department of Finance provides a free search of business licenses at https://dorweb.revenue.delaware.gov/bussrch/.

Web Tool Warns of Shortcomings at Certain Online Record Access Sites

The Public Record Retriever Network (PRRN) has long been known as a resource to find a reputable, onsite researcher of public records.  Now, when a county, parish, or city is chosen to find a researcher at www.prrn.us or www.brbpub.com/prrn/search.aspx, a warning will show on the screen if the associated government online system from that jurisdiction provides inadequate or incomplete records. While most government search sites provide a degree of value, too often these government online resources do not provide the same search results as compared to the same search performed onsite. This is because the online search is not displaying the same content as shown when using the facilities at the local courthouse.
 
Some of the typical shortcomings noted for the online search of court records compared to the identical search done in-person include missing cases, incorrect/missing IDs, wrong charge codes, missing dispositions, lack of sentence details, and missing probation updates/violations. The date range of online records online is often compared when searching in-person. These same shortcomings are consistent for recorded documents as well. For example, at some recorder search sites the domestic relations judgments/court papers may not be viewable, older records are missing, identifiers lacking, and records posted online lag weeks behind.
 
As a result, many government online sites provide merely a supplemental search service. Unfortunately, many business entities are using these supplemental online sources as the sole search locale even when a high degree of due diligence is required. And this is in spite of the warnings and disclaimers shown at these sites.
 
A good example is to view is a county from Minnesota. At this time, over 15% of U.S. counties are noted for shortcomings, and the list is growing.

Public Record Search Tip...Washington Driving Records

NEW SERVICE - A WA driver can now request his/her own driving online access at:
https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/dolprod/dsdiadr/.
The requester can view and print a PDF copy of the record. Use of a credit card is required. The driver’s SSN must be on file with the DOL's driver license database.

Note: This tip is from Michael Sankey's The MVR Access and Decoder Disgest

California Motor Vehicle Accident Reports

Law enforcement accident reports are obtained from the California Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies filing the report.  Fees vary.  If the accident was investigated by the California Highway Patrol, a copy may be obtained from the area office that conducted the investigation—there are 115 area offices.  SR-1 accident reports are provided (photo copy) to limited requesters by the Department of Motor Vehicles, PO Box 942884, Sacramento 94284-0001.  The fee is $20.00.


Note: This tip is from Michael Sankey's The MVR Access and Decoder Disgest

District of Columbia License Verification

Public Record Search Tip...

The District of Columbia provides a Driver's License Verification and an Identification Card Verification at: https://public.dmv.washingtondc.gov/scripts/ds/DriverLicenseVerification.asp

Note: This tip is from Michael Sankey's The MVR Access and Decoder Disgest