Find Public Records Fast: The National Directory Of Government Agencies That House Public Records

by Sankey, Michael L.; Weber, Peter J.

• ISBN13: 9781889150468
• ISBN10: 1889150460
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-01-01
• Publisher: Natl Book Network

Summary

The comprehensive guide to navigating the bureaucratic trail of public records.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(2)
Your Access to Over 10,000 Government Agencies
Suggestions on How to Use This Book
Essential Guidelines for Finding Public Records	3	(6)
Definition of Public Records
Public vs. Private vs. Personal
How Personal Information Enters the Public Domain
Where Public Records are Held
The Common Methods Used to Access Public Records
Using the Freedom of Information Act
Fees, Charges, and Usage
Importance of Identifers
Two Rules to Always Keep in Mind
Searching Hints for Record Types and Categories	9	(10)
Business Records
Lien and Security Interest Records
Important Individual Records
Credit Information and Social Security Numbers
Additional Records Sources Worthy of Mention
Exposing Three Myths About Public Records	19	(10)
Anyone Can Do a Background Check for an Employer
Why a Basic Understanding of the FCRA is so Important to Employers
An Important Area NOT Covered by the FCRA
I Can Do a National Criminal Record Search
The FBI NCIC Database
Take Caution When Using Private Databases
I Can Find All the Public Records I Need Online
State Agencies	29	(64)
Important State Offices
About The State Agency Listings
State Agency Listings	31	(62)
Recording Offices	93	(130)
The Lowdown on Recorded Documents
How the Recording Offices Section is Organized
Recording Office Searching Rules
Special Categories of Collateral
The Importance of Revised Article 9
Old Article 9 Locator Chart
Recording Office Listings	99	(124)
County Courts	223	(254)
Some Court Basics
State Court Structure
Types of Litigation in Trial Courts
How Courts Maintain Records
Record Searching Guidelines
County Court Listings	229	(248)
Federal Courts	477	(42)
Federal Court Structure
How Federal Trial Courts Are Organized
Electronic Access to Federal Courts
Federal Courts Searching Hints
Federal Records Centers and The National Archives
Federal Court Listings	485	(34)
Other Federal Records	519
EDGAR
Aviation Records
Military Records
Best U.S. Government Gateways
Best U.S. Federal Government Websites