Public records are government-generated or government-maintained documents that are legally accessible to the public under federal, state, or local open records laws. In private investigation, these records include court filings, property deeds, marriage and divorce records, business registrations, bankruptcy filings, and certain licensing records. Investigators use them to verify identities, locate individuals, and establish factual backgrounds.
Public records are official documents that government agencies are required by law to make available to the public. During an investigation, a licensed investigator searches these records to find factual information about a person, property, or business. The results are drawn entirely from legally accessible sources, not private databases or restricted systems.
A client seeking to verify a potential business partner's financial history may request a public records search to surface past bankruptcies, liens, or civil judgments filed in court. In a person locate case, an investigator may search property tax records or voter registration data to identify a current address associated with a subject. Clients involved in custody disputes sometimes need a public records review to confirm a co-parent's reported residence or employment history.
Licensed private investigators are permitted to search and compile publicly available records under the same access rights afforded to any member of the public. Some records, such as sealed court documents, juvenile records, and certain law enforcement files, are not publicly accessible and fall outside the scope of a lawful public records search. Access rules vary by state and county, and some jurisdictions charge fees or impose request procedures that affect search timelines.
How long does a public records search typically take, and what kind of documentation will I receive?
Most public records searches are completed within one to five business days, depending on the jurisdiction and the number of record types being reviewed. Some county-level records require manual requests or in-person retrieval, which can extend the timeline. Investigators typically deliver a written report summarizing findings, along with copies or notations of the relevant source documents.
Are there situations where public records searches return incomplete or outdated information?
Yes. Public records are only as current as the last time a government agency updated or indexed them, and some jurisdictions have significant delays between when an event occurs and when the record becomes searchable. Records may also be incomplete if filings were made in multiple counties or states and not all sources were checked. An investigator will note the scope of the search conducted so you understand what was covered and what limitations applied.
