Researching a fact or problem related to public records or finding the right public record vendor can be difficult. People often overlook trade associations as resources of information and companies.
A list of the nation's top trade associations whose members are involved with public records to some degree, visit http://www.brbpub.com/prs/TradeAssn.asp
© excerpt from The Sourcebook to Public Record Information
A record index serves as a pointer system to the location of file documents and is frequently used at recording offices, courts, and state agencies. A record index is often computerized, but indices can be on card files, in books, on microfiche, etc. Also, a record index can be organized in a variety of ways – by name, by year, by case or file number, or by name and year. Depending on the type of public record, an alpha index could be sorted by plaintiff and/or defendant, by grantor and/or grantee, by address, etc. Perhaps checking a microfiche reader or card file for a record on an individual you find nothing. That does not necessarily mean a record does not exist. The case or document files could be listed in another media index for a different time period, or perhaps you are searching using the wrong criteria such as a maiden name or an alias.
If you are searching an unfamiliar location, then the makeup of the index is one of first items you need to check. For example, if you are searching an index of court records, you are searching dockets. A docket can be a list of cases on a court’s calendar, or a log containing the schedule and all the actions involved within a court case.
An important fact to take note of is that the primary search that government agencies provide is often merely a search of the index. When someone tells you “I can find xxx county court records online,” this person is most likely talking about an index summary of cases and not about the records themselves.
© excerpt from The Sourcebook to Public Record Information
1. Harrison County Mississippi
On the 18th of February 2009 the Harrison County Circuit Clerk shut down the public access system for researchers. The clerk (Ms Gayle Parker, 228-865-4051) advises that the system will be down until 1 June 2009. Please expect delays on record research.
Reportedly, this shut down is for main maintenance, but it is believed that the court may be also redacting identifiers, including DOBs, from the public record.
Thanks to Mr. Jim Smith from Pro-Tech Investigations for this tip.
2. California State Offices
Beginning February 6, 2009 the DMV and many other state offices, will close the first and third Friday of each month. This closure is meant to help address the state's deficit of $42 billion.
3. Maine – Cumberland County Courts – Criminal Record Search
In Maine, the District Courts handle misdemeanors and the Superior Courts handle felonies. Recently, one of Cumberland County’s three District Courts merged its criminal record division with the county’s Superior Court. Records from Portland District Court - South 9 were merged with the Superior Court criminal record database. The new court is designated as the Unified Court. A criminal record search at the Unified Court will include a search of both courts. This merger does not affect civil or probate records held by the Portland District Court. Note the two other District Courts in Cumberland County (Bridgton District Court North 9 and Bath District Court East 6) each have a separate record database. Therefore, for a complete countywide criminal record search with misdemeanors, all three courts must be searched.
Thanks to Nils Nelson of Main Public Record Services for the heads up on this!
4. Indiana Counties and New Online System
A handful of Indiana courts are now displaying their indices on an open access system, known as Odyssey, via the Internet. The combined courts in Monroe County were the first in the state to go online with Odyssey, and it has been a less than stellar success. Conversations with a few deputy clerks and judges' clerks have confirmed that in the transition from one computer network (available in the clerk's office or by online paid subscription) to the Odyssey open network, cases were "lost" and other data were missing. Also, certain identifying information beyond the name was the address at the time of charging; we all know the limitations with that. After protests wide and large from the legal community, the DOB has reappeared with the defendant's name and address on criminal case chronologies, now known as "case registries." However, the missing cases and other data transfer problems remain. You can note the courts available through Odyssey at http://mycase.in.gov/ Courtesy of PRRN Member Don Johnson, Trace Investigations, Inc.
The Dane County (where the city of Madison is) Wisconsin Sheriff's Office now permits record requests to be made via online as an automatic email using the request form at www.danesheriff.com/records.aspx. Records available include accident reports and sheriff investigated incidents.
Oregon’s Automated Reporting Service (ARS) Program allows users who have a Record Inquiry Account to submit a name list and DMV will automatically produce a printed driving record whenever a conviction, accident or suspension is posted to the record. There is always a $3.00 fee whenever a record is produced. The maintenance of adding or deleting drivers can be done free of charge via Oregon’s online DMV service. If adding or deleting names is done by the DMV, there is a $2.00 fee per name. For more information about ARS, call 503-945-5427.
© excerpt from The 2009 MVR
Check the status of a Wisconsin driver license free at www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/online.htm. The status can be requested using the DL, or by SSN/DOB, or name/sex/DOB.
© excerpt from The 2009 MVR Book
Check Status of Florida Driver License The Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles provides a free online status check of any Florida driver license number. Only the license number is needed to access. No personal information is released. Visit https://www6.hsmv.state.fl.us/dlcheck/dlcheckinq. (Note: the last letter is Q not G). A third DL status check provides an insurance update and allows parents to view the driving record of their children under 18. To accomplish this, the parent must enter the last four digits of the SSN and the child’s DOB. Go to https://www6.hsmv.state.fl.us/DLCheck/main.jsp.
To check the status of a HAZMAT endorsement on a Florida commercial DL, visit https://www2.hsmv.state.fl.us/.
© excerpt from The 2009 MVR Book
The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) is a U.S. Department of Justice System operated by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA). The NMVTIS is designed to grant available information about vehicle history (such as reported odometer readings and brands, including flood damage, junk and salvage vehicle data) to the states, law enforcement, prospective purchasers, and insurance carriers in order to reliably verify information on a vehicle prior to issuing a new title.
Effective January 30, 2009 the records will be open to the public. One will be able to check a car's history online for little cost at www.nmvtis.gov. By entering the vehicle's VIN - and if the car was registered in one of the 36 participating states - the following data may be displayed: 1) date title was issued and state where issued; 2) latest recorded mileage information; 3) theft history; and 4) salvage history and if the vehicle was ever designated as a total loss. Effective the same date, the database will also be available for resale purposes by third-party providers, but with contractual obligations.
Reportedly, in March, the salvage records from major insurance companies are to be added to the national database.
The 36 participating states represent over 73% of the U.S. population. Some of the states refusing to participate include California, Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania.
In Maine, the District Courts handle misdemeanors and the Superior Courts handle felonies. Recently, one of Cumberland County's three District Courts merged its criminal record division with the county's Superior Court. Records from Portland District Court - South 9 were merged with the Superior Court criminal record database. The new court is designated as the Unified Court. A criminal record search at the Unified Court will include a search of both courts. This merger does not affect civil or probate records held by the Portland District Court. Note the two other District Courts in Cumberland County (Bridgton District Court North 9 and Bath District Court East 6) each have a separate record database. Therefore, for a complete countywide criminal record search with misdemeanors, all three courts must be searched.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, provides three lists described below that are relevant to import/export transactions. www.bis.doc.gov
Denied Persons List
The purpose of the Denied Persons List is to prevent the illegal export of dual-use items before they occur and to investigate and assist in the prosecution of violators of the Export Administration Regulations. www.bis.doc.gov/dpl/default.shtm
Unverified List
This is a list of parties whom BIS has been unable to verify in some manner in prior transactions. The Unverified List includes names and countries of foreign persons who in the past were parties to a transaction with respect to which BIS could not conduct a pre-license check (“PLC”) or a post-shipment verification (“PSV”) for reasons outside of the U.S. Government’s control. If you would like to be informed when changes occur to the Unverified List, consider subscribing to the BIS Email Notification Service.
www.bis.doc.gov/enforcement/unverifiedlist/unverified_parties.html
Entity List
The Entity List, available in PDF or ASCII text format, is a list of parties whose presence in a transaction can trigger a license requirement under the Export Administration Regulations. The original purpose of this list was to inform the public of entities whose activities imposed a risk of diverting exported and re-exported items into programs related to weapons of mass destruction. Now the list includes those with any license requirements imposed on the transaction by other provisions of the Export Administration Regulations. The list specifies the license requirements that apply to each listed party. www.bis.doc.gov/entities/default.htm
© excerpt from The Public Record TIPS Book
