A courthouse search is the process by which a private investigator physically visits or remotely accesses a courthouse to review and retrieve publicly available court records. These records may include civil and criminal case filings, judgments, liens, divorce proceedings, and probate documents. The search is conducted through official court clerks or public records portals and is limited to records designated as public under applicable law.
When an investigator performs a courthouse search, they are looking through official court records that are available to the public. This can reveal whether a person or business has been involved in lawsuits, holds unpaid judgments, or has a criminal filing history. It is a records-based process, not surveillance, and the findings come directly from court documentation.
A client considering a business partnership may request a courthouse search to check whether a potential partner has prior civil judgments or fraud-related filings against them. In a child custody dispute, an attorney or client may need verified documentation of an opposing party's prior court involvement across multiple counties. A landlord conducting tenant screening may use a courthouse search to confirm whether an applicant has prior eviction filings or small claims judgments on record.
Licensed private investigators can access court records that are designated as public under state and federal law, including many civil, criminal, and probate filings. Access to certain records, such as juvenile court files, sealed cases, or expunged records, is restricted and cannot be obtained through a courthouse search regardless of licensure. Availability and access procedures vary by jurisdiction, so an investigator familiar with the specific county or state courthouse is often better positioned to conduct an efficient search.
How long does a courthouse search typically take, and what kind of documentation will I receive?
The time required depends on the courthouse, the number of jurisdictions being searched, and whether records are available through an online portal or require an in-person visit. A single-county search may be completed within one to three business days, while multi-jurisdiction searches take longer. Investigators typically provide clients with copies of the retrieved records along with a written summary of findings.
Can an investigator search courthouse records in any state, or are there geographic limitations?
Courthouse searches are generally tied to specific counties or jurisdictions, since court records are maintained at the local level and are not consolidated into a single national database. An investigator licensed in one state can often conduct remote searches in other states through official public access portals, but in-person searches may require local resources or a licensed investigator in that jurisdiction. If a subject has lived in multiple states, searches may need to be conducted in each relevant county separately.
