Reference Books
The
Book of States
Published since 1935, The Book of the States has been the reference
tool of choice for more than half a century, providing information, answers and
comparisons for all 56 U.S. states and territories.
Within The Book of the States, you can find analysis and comparative
information on a wide range of topics. The book not only focuses on historical
data, but also highlights trends in various state public policy areas
State Directories
The most comprehensive set of state directories published, this collection
includes the names and contact information for key state government officials.
Eliminate hours of searching the Web for the information you need!
Order a Background Check online now!. Experienced database search
specialists will immediately go to work for you, to quickly return real,
meaningful results.
See our
Sample Report
Our
Expert Background Checks offers guaranteed search results, free consultation
and 24 hour return.
Individual court records are available for our
Business Members. No
Sign-up fee or monthly minimums.
More Information.>
State Level Records Searches
Searching records at the state level has one advantage: you can search a large
geographical area all at once, which enables you to determine which records will
require further perusal at the county and local level and at which courthouse
those records are being maintained. ( Much of the data collected at county level
is forwarded to state repositories in summary form.) See
State Directory for individual State Records &Websites:
Computer Database & Microfiche
Many states maintain accessible computer database files and microfiche of
certain records for sale. Many states also provide access to databases to
on-line Information Providers, who, in turn, sell that information to
Professional Investigators as well as to individuals. For information
providers, see
Databases
Other Information For Sale
Specialized Information Brokers, Information Providers, and Information
Professionals also have access to driver and motor vehicle information from
those states that make that information part of public records. Don't overlook
the value of old records.
Department (Bureau) of Motor Vehicles
Vehicle Records
The DMV maintains records concerning vehicle registration. There is no national
repository of vehicle data or driving records open to the public. Each state
maintains its own computer system to store that information. Methods and formats
for storage vary state to state as d o rules and regulations governing the
release of information. Call the department or division for full information
about release of information.
If you have a tag number and you want to know who owns a particular
vehicle - whether there's a clean title or a lien on it - go into any of the
state-run tag offices. Show your driver license and say, 'I want to know
who owns a certain tag.' They will give you that information and tell you who
the lien holder is. That's public information and is available in most states.
Massachusetts and California you can't do that.
There are four types of searches that can be performed in many, but certainly
not all, states. They are:
- Tag trace: Provide a tag number and the department will provide the name of
the registered owner, address of the owner, VIN, and sometimes the owner's DOB.
(Most states.)
- VIN: You furnish the VIN and the department will provide the same
information as listed above - and sometimes the name of the lien holder.
- Title trace: This trace is similar to the above traces, except in some
states you will be furnished the name of the previous owner..
- Alpha trace: Some states offer this trace, which requires that you furnish
subject's name and DOB. You'll receive a list of vehicles owned by the subject.
Any or all of these traces can prove helpful when you are
tracing a missing person or attempting to locate an individual's assets.
(Please see " State, Directory" for
complete listings of all MVR's.)
Vehicle and/or Owner's Information
Your request for information about a certain
vehicle and/or the owner's of that vehicle will net quicker results if you
furnish: VIN, name, DOB
The records will show:
- Owner's name
- DOB
- Year, make, and model of vehicle
- Driver license number (sometimes)
- Insurance company (sometimes)
- Liens against vehicle
Vehicle's
Registration
To obtain information about a vehicle's
registration, furnish:
Tag number or Name & DOB
The record will show:
- Name, address, DOB, and driver license number
- VIN, year, make, model of vehicle
- Insurance company (sometimes)
Driver
License Records
Some states maintain divisions, agencies, or departments that compile and
maintain both motor vehicle records and driver records (driver licenses and
driving records); other states maintain separate divisions.
The rules governing the release of driving records and driver license records,
like those governing motor vehicle records, also vary widely. Most states
will provide a current address for an individual driver
Driver license information: If the laws of the state in question allow the
release of driver license information, it will contain the name and address of
the individual, DOB, height, weight, color of eyes, hair color, type of license
issued, and sometimes, the license expiration date.
Driver license traffic violations: This record will reflect traffic tickets
charged to subject, as well as subject's involvement in accidents.
Driver
License Information
Request for driver license information or driving record will net quicker
results if you furnish: Full name & DOB
Also helpful, furnish:
- Driver license number
- Known address
- SSN
- DOB
The record will show:
- Address
- DOB & SSN
- Date of previous test
- Physical description
- Driving restriction
- Moving violations & accidents
- Vehicle owned
- Insurance company
- Liens against vehicle
- Place of employment (sometimes)
- Driver licenses may be renewed as infrequently as every four years in many
states, while almost every state requires motor vehicle tags be renewed
annually.
Old Driver License Information
Old driver license information may have been saved on microfiche, computer
database, computer magnetic tape, or in written files. This information is
usually accessible in person at the repository in the state in question.
Database Information: Vehicle Registration
Database Information Providers can search by name and DOB, tag number, or VIN.
Sometimes a database may be able to furnish a "driver record face page," which
contains identifying information - even if the driving record is not otherwise
accessible. Some databases have the capability to conduct a national
driver record search, although this type search may be prohibitively expensive.
Please see
"Databases".
State Highway Patrol/State Police
Law enforcement departments maintain records of all licensed drivers. These
folks record all accidents, maintain or have access to motor vehicle data,
accident reports, and traffic tickets.
Accident Reports
For accident reports, you must furnish: Full name
The record will show:
- Name( of individual involved
- Addresses of all parties
- Passengers & Charges
- Vehicle involved
- Location of accident
Alcoholic Beverage &Tobacco Department
This licensing authority maintains records of all liquor license applications,
which contain extensive financial (and other background information.
Boat Registration
In most states, boat and vessel registration must be renewed every year.
To tap this information base, you'll need to
furnish: Name
The record will show:
- Name, address
- Boat or vessel type or description and/or ID number
Department of Public Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics - Department of Human Services
This bureau collects records pertaining to births, marriages, divorces, and
deaths. The data collected is summary information furnished by counties. Check
with county courthouse for detailed information.
Department of Justice, State Supreme Court
The state supreme court's record repository receives all court records involving
civil and criminal litigation. Check with the individual court clerk's office
for specific information about searching records and the release of
information. Requirements vary widely.
Criminal Records are available on a statewide level - not on a national
level. Even then, only a third of the states allow statewide searches.
Database Search: Criminal Records
With the exception of the FBI's National Criminal Information Center's (NCIC)
database, access to which is strictly limited to law enforcement officers and
the courts, there is no central database containing all criminal records. You
might consider contacting one of the database operators listed in
Databases.
State Supreme Court Docket
Some states do not consider all court records to be public information. The
court docket, however, is available to anyone. The docket lists names (and
sometimes addresses) of both the plaintiff and the defendant, as well as the
attorneys involved.
Secretary of State
This office maintains records concerning business and professional
licensing. All sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations are
registered with this office. Most financing statements are filed at the state
level, usually with the Secretary of State's Office.
Business Concern
To get information about a business concern, you
will need to furnish: Name of business
The record will show:
- Names and addresses of officers
- Date business began
Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)
Filings
Debtor and secured party are listed on UCC filings that concern business
financing transactions, such as a loan or a lease, when personal property is
involved. UCC filings will reveal exactly what property is encumbered by liens
and what property has been put up as collateral. The debtor might be a partner,
spouse, stockholder - or the business itself. The secured party could be a bank,
a leasing company, an individual, or a company. UCC filings are usually active
for five years, unless specifically continued.
You must furnish:
- Name of debtor, or,
- Name of secured party
The record will show:
- Names of both parties
- Addresses of both parties
- Spouse (sometimes)
- Partner's name (sometimes)
- Stockholder's name (sometimes)
- Items put up as collateral
Note: Asset searchers. Sometimes a checking or savings account can be located
through this filing.
UCC Filings: Database Searches
If you must search UCC filings nationally, consider engaging the services of an
Information Broker or Information Provider.
See Databases.
Professional Regulation
Several departments and agencies regulate various groups of business
professionals. Any professional person required to be licensed is regulated by
one or more division of this department or agency.
Worker's
Compensation
Worker's Compensation is a privately-funded insurance program governed by the
varying and widely differing laws of each state. Records held by this department
contain only worker's compensation claims. Generally, two types of information
is available: "First Report of Injury," and "Court Contested Claims."
Most states index records by claimant's name, some by employer or by
accident. The records are generally maintained for seven years.
Obtaining information from this department may be difficult. Rules governing the
release of information vary widely from state to state.
To obtain data from this department, you'll need:
Name, SSN, and DOB (if possible)
The records will show:
- Employer, date of incident & time lost
- Type of injury: body part affected: or related disability
State Child Support Enforcement
The state will search records, some of which are unavailable to you, in an
attempt to locate missing parents who owe outstanding-court ordered child
support.
See State Directory for
individual State Records & Websites.
State Archives
This is a central location for storing historical state documents, county
records, local and state histories, newspapers published in that state, old
phone books, city directories, census records, and old voter registration
rolls. The staff of these facilities are very familiar with the records they
have been charged to keep, as well as the sources of all records. If they do not
have what you are looking for, they may be able to advise you where to find it.
Order a Background Check online now!. Experienced database search
specialists will immediately go to work for you, to quickly return real,
meaningful results.
See our
Sample Report
Our
Expert Background Checks offers guaranteed search results, free consultation
and 24 hour return.
Individual court records are available for our
Business Members. No
Sign-up fee or monthly minimums.
More Information.>
|
Investigative
Professionals Background Checks
Our Search Experts tap connections to a far-reaching network of massive
databases containing more than four billion records to run background checks and
criminal records reports. Our staff will immediately go to work for you, to
quickly return real, meaningful results. Search results are regularly returned
within hours.
See ALL Background Checks |
|
|