BRB's Public Records Blog

PRRN Preparing a Standardized Agreement for Hiring On-site Record Researchers

A committee of nine members from the Public Record Retriever Network (PRRN) has been formed to create a model agreement that can be used by localized public record researchers when hired by employment screening firms or public record vendor firms. The committee - which includes record researchers, members of employment screening firms, members of public record vendor firms, and a prominent attorney specializing in FRCA - is striving to prepare a master agreement that is fair to all parties.
 
Details of this agreement will be released next month at www.prrn.us

Recent Increases for California Real Estate Recording Fees

Several pieces of recent legislation have led to a number of California counties increasing the fee to record real estate documents, effective February 1, 2010 and March 1, 2010.
 
Passage of Senate Bill 676 (SB676) enabled county recorders to increase their recording fee by as much as $6.00 for the first recorded page of a real estate document. For example, the base fee charged by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder is now set at $13.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page; in Nevada County the new fee is $14.00 for recording the first page and $3.00 each additional page. The county of Sonoma increased its base rate for the first recorded page of a real estate document from $8.00 to $13.00, the first increase since 1972.
 
Senate Bill 1396, passed in 2008, has lead to an increase for certain recording fees in Santa Barbara County effective March 1, 2010.  Increasing from $17.00 to $18.00 for the first pages are five real estate instruments: Notice of Default, Deed of Trust, Request for Notice of Default, Reconveyance, and Assignment of Deed of Trust. Increasing from $15.00 to $18.00 are the first pages for three real estate instruments: Substitution of Trustee, Notice of Trustee Sale, and Notice of Rescission of Declaration of Default.
 
To view the legislation, visit www.leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html. Be sure to research in the correct session.

Arizona Courts - Document Retrieval Fee Inconsistencies at JP Level

A huge inconsistency exists for fees charged by Arizona's limited jurisdiction Justice Courts. In Arizona there is a mandated fee of $24.00 that Justice Courts are required to charge the public when asked to do a name search. But there is no mandated fee when the public asks for a specific case file. However, at least 28 (approx. 1/3) of the Justice Courts charge an additional $24.00 when asked to pull a specific case file.
 
These courts are charging this fee when the specific case number or docket number is given to the clerk and there was no search performed. So, if a search is done first then the public asks to see a file, the charge could be $48.00.

Depending on the court, the $24.00 file charge is based sometimes on a per case basis, sometimes on a per name basis, and sometimes simply at the discretion of the court personnel at the counter.
 
This fee interpretation is not per the guidelines of the Administrative Offices of the Courts (AOC). Also, this charge for pulling document is not a procedure followed by the AZ Superior Courts. Reportedly, the AOC is considering implementation of a statewide fee schedule/regulation that would give specific mandates to these limited jurisdiction courts and thus would supposedly halt this practice.

Fee Increase - Missouri Criminal Records

Pursuant to statute, beginning March 1, 2010, the fee for a name-based, statewide criminal record search from the Missouri Highway Patrol will increase from $9.00 to $10.00 per search. The other fees for criminal records from this agency remain the same. For example, a fingerprint search is $20.00, with an exception for certain mandated request purposes (conceal-carry weapons permits and Department of Social Services for foster care placement) which are charged only $14.00. If the fingerprint search is to include an FBI fingerprint check add $19.25, or $15.25 if for a volunteer group position.
 
Electronic image capturing (also known as livescan) for fingerprint-based applicant background checks is available to the public through Missouri Applicant Processing Services (MOAPS) in connection with L-1 Private Identity Solutions (a vendor). The fee is $12.95 per name.

For more information about the Missouri programs visit -

www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/PatrolDivisions/CRID/crimRecChk.html

 
For more information about L-1, see www.l1id.com/

Public Record Search Tip...Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska

In the Homer District Court (3rd District) which handles Felony, Misdemeanor, Civil, Small Claims please note that old felony cases could be here or at the Kenai District Court both courts should be searched.

Taken from BRB's Public Record Research System

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.