BRB's Public Records Blog

White Paper on SSN Redaction

A white paper designed to help government agencies develop policies for removing Social Security numbers and other sensitive information from public documents has been released by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) along with the National Electronic Commerce Coordinating Council (eC3).  The paper details the redaction practices of 19 states and offers insights on issues in developing redaction programs.  Privacy, Public Access & Policymaking in State Redaction Practices. 

CO Legislation Makes Victim’s Addresses Off-Limits

Colorado HB1350 will allow victims of sex crimes, domestic violence or stalking to have fake addresses listed within public records.  Mail sent to the fake address would be passed through the secretary of states office to the victim.  Obtaining an address in violation of the program’s process can result in a Class 1 misdemeanor.  The bill takes effect on July 1st.  View Bill Folder

Essential Checklist When Using Public Record Retrievers

If you are not clear at the outset of what you expect when hiring a record retriever to perform research, you are asking for trouble. Here are ten aspects of a search BRB Publication’s think are essential to review before you hire a retriever. Of course, the one big question not on this list that you will want to ask the retriever is “ what is the cost?”  This answer cannot be determined until the ten items below are clear to both parties.

1. Determine Exactly What Type of Records You Want Searched
2. Determine Where Do You Want to Search
3. Decide the Time Period to Search
4. Know the Subject’s Name
5. Let the Retriever Know if You Anticipate Records or Hits
6. Prepare to Ask How the Search Will be Conducted
7. Know What Documents You Want to Obtain or What Results are to be Reported
8. Know Your Deadline
9. Determine How You Want the Results Given to You
10. Keep a Written Log of the Request

Click Here to read BRB's complete article.

This copyrighted text is taken from the 2007 Directory of Local Court & County Record Retrievers.