Government Public Records Online Access

By Claire Dowell


Everyone in California has the lawful right to unveil the California Public Records as per mandate of the Public Records Act and the California Constitution. These public documents are voluminous and are categorized in so many types of records for easy future searches. Both the local and the state government agencies are in possession and control of these reports. The way they are administered and governed is based on the laws that are particularly implemented for the public reports. The Department of Justice originates the documentation of such reports, later on the other agencies have done the same in the effort to compile and provide legal data for public consumption.

At the state level, the California Courts have been compiling all the criminal cases being filed and resolved before the judiciary. There is also the California Department of Health which takes care of the business on birth and death records. Marriage records on the other hand are maintained at the county recorder, later on, both the birth and death have become part of the county recorder's custody with the objective to bring the information much closer to the local residents or make it more accessible for them. The divorce reports are obtainable at the clerk of court's office as per provision of California's Family Laws. More so, the arrest and criminal records are updated at any of the local law enforcement agencies including police, narcotics, highway patrol and other enforcing units.

Historically, the application of records must be done by providing the basic details to the Department of Justice' office. You had to input the three basic details such as the specific name of the record, the subject matter and the exact place where it had been accounted. But today, the flow on how it is done has changed dramatically by having to just fill out a copy of the records request form. It can be obtained at any of the records offices or be downloaded from their official websites. The form has to be completely in its entirety; otherwise the staff will not proceed with the actual search.

At present, the public may do the request via phone, email, facsimile or visiting the office concerned in person. However, it is highly advised that you do the walk-in application in order for you to directly ask the necessary questions in regards to the vital steps that you are required to do when ordering for a copy of a public record. On this note, an applicant is mandated to present a valid government-issued ID to serve as proof that you are a legitimate citizen in California. You must also have the right and valid reasons for conducting a check on someone's public documents.

The waiting time may be long but you are definitely guaranteed that you are going to get all-encompassing results of the search. The usual processing time would be from 6 to 10 working days. But, it should not matter unless if you are in a rush of retrieving such documents for some important reasons. It is going to be lengthy but it is going to compensate the effort that you have put into it.

But with the continuing advancement of technology, vital information such as those government records can be downloaded nowadays through the Internet. All you have to do is look up for a reputable online records provider and do the public records search from there. It is designed for easy navigation and more importantly it can be executed at home without having to ask for assistance from other people. It saves your time and it is very safety to go through since you are doing the search inside the comfort of your own home.




About the Author: