Posts filed under 'state court records'
Within the U.S., each state has its own system for searching for established public court documents. Each state is responsible for providing these documents and ensuring access to the appropriate individuals upon request. The process for requesting these documents is a simple method, and the individual requesting the documents may do so on-line or in-person at the appropriate office. Please keep in mind there are fees for searching for these documents, and for receiving certified copies.
Although going in person to request your records can be time consuming and require additional expenses on your part, utilizing the helpful staff you are able to search for your records even if you only have minimal initial background information.
If you prefer accessing your information on-line, you will find a number of websites available, which as a service provides free searches on all available free public court records. However, please keep in mind the databases for these records are public databases and will only have information that is not confidential. When you visit these websites, they will provide you with information on how to access your records using their website.
Here are several websites:
http://www.publicrecordcenter.com/onlinecourtrecords.htm
http://www.publicrecordfinder.com/
If you have it available, having the court case number will be helpful in your search for your records. It will be helpful if you have:
• Court case number
• Time of occurrence
• What state the case occurred
The above information will assist you in requesting your records. If you do not have the pertinent information, you will still be able to perform your search. However, you may have to grant the researcher additional time to search for you records, which may in turn increase the fees you will need to pay for the service.
August 26th, 2008
Criminal court records are not always public. In some case, you have to be a member of a federal department or a relative of the individual in order to see the records. Despite these difficulties, you can go in person to the court recorder or request the records on-line.
Examples of records you can request:
• Arrest reports
• Domestic Violence Orders
• Criminal history information
• Probation reports
Once you know the records you would like to request, you will need to have specific information in order to locate the record you want. This information is the case number of the record you wish to obtain. If you have the case number, you can go to the county Clerk’s Office or courthouse and request the record directly. If you do not have the case number, you can still have a search done by the Clerk’s Office or the county courthouse.
When you have the case number, you can request the records. However, keep in mind that the copies are certified and you will be charged for each copy that you request. In addition to the case number, you will need to provide:
• The name of the offender
• The year(s) the offense occurred
• Identification
• Letter requesting the search
• Certified signature
You are also able to order your records on-line. There are websites available, which offer court record searches as a professional service. Be aware that these services are not free, and you will be paying for the service plus the original certified copy fee. Search the website carefully if you are using a third party website. If you are using an official website, pay attention to any specific instructions in order to receive your records quickly.
August 19th, 2008
In Dupage County Illinois, all criminal arrest records are public and can be obtained from the Clerk of the Circuit Court. However, some of these documents may be sealed by the court and will require a judge to re-open them. Searching for these documents is an easy process but requires going in person to the court or appropriate recorder’s office. You can also request the documents on-line, paying a small fee for a service which will forward you the records you desire.
There are several websites available that offers their services on searching for criminal records. There are also free records available if you look for them, but often these are not very in-depth due to the information coming from a free service, or the records may have been sealed.
Searchsystems.net has a large directory available for tracking down the different websites available which focus on a specific criminal records directory.
Try to have as much information as possible before you begin your search for the records. The address, date and time, and possibly the person’s name would be very helpful. If you have available the court case number, this will make both your search and the search by the researcher far easier.
If you do use Clerk of the Circuit Court website, remember there is currently no method of searching on-line. You will need to use the forms and other information to request the documents.
You can find the forms you will need to order arrest records below:
http://www.dupageco.org/courtclerk/forms_2.cfm?dept=criminal
Be sure to fill out the forms completely and mail them to the appropriate location. If you make any mistakes, the request might not work and there are no refunds for searches.
July 27th, 2008
Each state within the U.S. has a method of searching for public court documents. It is a very easy process where the researcher may either go to the public courthouse and search for the documents his/herself or contact either an appropriate recorder’s office or view on-line and pay for a limited service which will send you the records you want.
However, this can be a time consuming and expensive occupation if you need the records right away and do not have a fair amount of funds available to do research. Results are great but free which produces the same results are even better!
There are a number of websites available, which provide free searches on all available (the resources these websites can provide is limited) free public court records. Within the websites are resources and links which can assist you in your search for either little or even no cost to you. Each resource/link will show you how to find the required information by state.
Some records will be unavailable or only partially available due to confidentiality. However, even with confidential cases, you will find some information while searching for free public court records. Remember to have as much information on the case you are searching for as possible.
If you can, have available the court case number, when the case occurred and in what state. In order to do your search for free public court records, you will need especially to know the state where the case occurred to begin your search.
July 8th, 2008
Obtaining a divorce court record is simple process if you have the necessary information to locate the records.
The search of divorce court records is usually free. However, if you are requesting official transcripts there are fees involved depending upon your location. There are also additional copy fees usually between $1 and $3 per page. These fees are payable by money order and are non-refundable.
If you are requesting information from another country, this information will need to be verified.
You must include the following when ordering a transcript:
• The case name (or caption)
• The case number
• Name of the Judge (If available)
• In what state/county/city the case was heard
• The date of the case
• Your name, address and telephone number
• Brief description of the proceeding (or section of the proceeding) you are ordering (for example, the testimony of a specific witness, the court’s order, etc.)
Always keep handy a copy of your ID with a photograph. It is also necessary for you to have a signature on your ID. If you don’t, you should have a copy of your signature notarized to show. Keep in mind court reporter’s and monitor’s tapes are destroyed after seven years.
All certificates are available:
By mail - by sending the fee and necessary information to:
In Person – By going to the Official Court Reporter’s office.
Questions – Contact the local court records office.
June 28th, 2008
Process for ordering court records works in Vermont
All checks or money orders should be paid to Vermont Department of Health. They also accept personal checks. You may also call or visit the website to confirm current fees. The records are available only for the recent five years.
The older records can be obtained from the public records division in middle sex. The current fees can be confirmed from the official website. The division of Public Records maintains all birth, death, marriage and divorce records for the state of Vermont. The older records can be availed from the Vermont Department of Health.
For Birth and death records from 1857, you need to pay about seven dollars each and provide the following information wish your request:
a) The full name as appeared on the birth or death certificate
b) The place of birth or death
c) The time of birth or death
d) Full name of father
e) Full name of mother
f) Full maiden name of mother
g) Reason for requesting the records
h) Your full name
i) Your full mailing address
j) Your daytime telephone number with area code
k) Your relationship with the individual mentioned on the record
l) Your signature
For more details on ordering court records works in Vermont, you can visit the official website at the address mentioned below: www.vermont.gov
December 30th, 2007
Process for ordering court record works in Virginia
All the checks and money orders should be paid to the state health department. Personal checks are accepted. You need to call or visit the official website to confirm the current fees.
Birth records in Virginia are restricted for hundred years to immediate family members. You need to include the name on the birth record, date of birth, place of birth, father’s full name, mother’s full name including her maiden name, your relationship with the individual named on the certificate, the reason for request, your daytime telephone number with area code, your mailing address and your signature.
Death records in Virginia are restricted to family members. You need to include the following information with your request:
a) The name on the record
b) Date of death
c) Place of death
d) Reason for request
e) Your telephone number with area code
f) Your name
g) Your mailing address
h) Your signature
Marriage records
The access in restricted to fifty years to all immediate family members. You should include the following information with the request:
a) The name of the couple
b) The date of marriage
c) The place of marriage
d) Your relationship with the couple
e) Reason for request
f) Your daytime telephone number with area code
g) Your mailing address
h) Your signature
For more details on ordering court records works in Virginia, you can visit the official website at the address mentioned below: www.virginia.gov
December 21st, 2007
Process for ordering court records works in Arkansas
All checks or money orders should be paid to Arkansas Department of Health. They accept personal checks. You need to call or visit the official website to confirm the current fees. Here, you may also apply for a birth, death or marriage certificate.
Birth records are available from 1 February 1914 onwards at twelve dollars. You need to be the registrant or an immediate family member to order for this record. You should also provide the date of birth, full name of father, maiden name of mother, your relationship with the individual, your name, address, telephone number and signature with the reason for request with the application.
You can obtain death records from 1 February 1914 onwards for ten dollars if you are a legal registrant or a family member. With your request, you require to include the full name of the individual, race, date of death, place of death, age at death, name of spouse, name of parents, reason for request and your relationship with the individual.
For marriage records and divorce records from 1917 and 1923 onwards respectively, you need to pay ten dollars each. These are available only to the couples, legal registrant and family members.
For more details on ordering court records works in Arkansas, you can visit the official website at the address mentioned below: www.arkansas.gov
December 20th, 2007
Process for ordering court records works in Rhode Island
All the checks or money orders should be mad payable to general treasures, state of Rhode Island. You should also call or visit the official website to verify the current fees. Any additional copy that you demand would require ten dollars each.
For birth and death records in Rhode Island from 1901 and 951 respectively, you should pay about fifteen dollars each. The state office usually keeps the birth records for 100 years and death records for fifty years. Any earlier record can be availed via writing an application to the city or town clerk where the event has actually occurred. You may also write to:
The Rhode Island State Archives
337 Westminster Street
Providence
RI 02903
You also need to include the following information with your request:
a) Your name
b) Your address
c) Your telephone number with area code
d) Your signature
e) The name of the individual in record
f) The place of birth/death
g) The date of birth/death
h) The reason for request
i) Father’s full name
j) Mother’s full maiden name
k) Your relationship with the individual
The marriage certificates from 1901 onwards will cost about fifteen dollars and the cost for divorce certificate varies.
The divorce certificate can be applied to:
The Clerk of Family Court
1 Dorrance Plaza
Providence, RI 02903
For more details on ordering court records works in Rhode Island you can visit the official website at the address mentioned below: www.ri.gov
December 18th, 2007
Process for ordering court records works in South Dakota
The money order is required to be paid to South Dakota Department of Health. All personal checks are accepted. You can call or visit the official website to confirm current fees.
For birth records, you need to pay ten dollars each and include the following information with your request:
a) The name of the individual on records
b) The date of birth
c) The place of birth
d) Full name of father
e) Full name of mother
f) Full maiden name of mother
g) Reason for request
h) Your full mailing address
i) Your daytime telephone number with area code
j) Your signature
For death records from July 1905, you need to pay ten dollars. The following information should also be included.
a) The full name of individual on records
b) The date of death
c) The place of death
d) Your daytime telephone number with area code
e) Your mailing address
f) Your signature
g) Your relationship with the individual
h) Your signature
For marriage records from July 1905 you need to pay seven dollars each. You need to include the following information with your request:
a) The full names on the marriage record
b) Date of marriage
c) Place of marriage
d) Your daytime telephone number with area code
e) Your mailing address
f) Reason for request
For more details on ordering court records works in South Dakota, you can visit the official website at the address mentioned below: www.state.sd.us
December 16th, 2007
Process for ordering court records woks in Tennessee
The check or money order should be paid to Tennessee vital records. They accept personal checks. You may call or visit the website to confirm current fees. Any additional copy that you want to order will cost you two dollar each.
For birth and death records from 1908, you should pay ten and five dollars respectively. The records are available from 1914 births. The photocopy of the original court record is available for a fee of ten dollars and the first copy and two dollars for additional record. You need to submit the following information with your request:
a) The name of the individual on the certificate
b) The date of birth or death
c) The place of birth or death
d) Reason for request
e) Father’s full name
f) Mothers full name
g) Mother’s maiden name
h) Your name
i) Your telephone number with area code
j) Your signature
k) Your mailing address
l) Reason for request
m) Your relationship with the individual mentioned on the record
Marriage and divorce certificates are available only to the couples mentioned on the certificate or their adult children via producing the exact date and place of marriage or divorce and the name of the couples.
For more details on ordering court records works in Tennessee, you can visit the official website at the address mentioned below: www.tennessee.gov
December 13th, 2007
Process for ordering court records works in West Virginia
All checks or money orders should be paid to vital registration. They accept personal checks. You may also call or visit the website to confirm current fees.
For birth records from January 1917 onwards
The cost of birth record copy is about fifteen dollars. These records are available only to family members. However, you can include the following information with your request.
a) The name on the birth record
b) The date of birth
c) The place of birth
d) The reason for request
e) Father’s full name
f) Mother’s full maiden name
g) Your relationship with the individual
h) Your signature
i) Your mailing address
j) Your telephone number with area code
k) The reason for request
For death records from January 1917 onwards
Each copy will cost you about five dollars. These records are available only to family members. You need to include the following information with the request:
a) Place of death
b) Date of death
c) Name on the death record being requested
d) Your relationship to the individual on the death record
e) The reason for request
f) Your daytime telephone number with area code
g) Your name
h) Your mailing address
i) Your signature
j) Reason for request
For more details on ordering court records works in West Virginia, you can visit the official website at the address mentioned below: www.wv.gov
December 11th, 2007
Process for ordering court records works in Washington
For birth records from July 1907
You should pay thirteen dollars each. The state needs exact information to request a birth certificate such as the name of the individual on the birth record, date of birth, father’s full name, mother’s full name, mother’s maiden name, your daytime telephone number with area code, reason for request, your mailing address and your signature.
For death records from July 1907
Each copy would cost you about thirteen dollars. You need to include some information with the request such as the full name on the death certificate, your daytime phone number, your mailing address, reason for request and your signature.
For marriage records from January 1, 1968
These records are available at thirteen dollars each. You need to include full names of bride and groom, the date of marriage, the place of marriage, your day time telephone number with area code, your mailing address and your signature with the request.
For divorce records from January 1, 1968
You need to pay about thirteen dollars for each copy. With your request, you should include full names of the couple, the date and place of divorce, your daytime telephone number with area code, your mailing address and your signature.
For more details on ordering court records works in Washington, you can visit the official website at the address mentioned below: www.access.wa.gov
December 9th, 2007
Process for ordering court records works in Wisconsin
To obtain birth records
The cost of each copy would be around twelve dollars each. According to the state law, only the individual named on the record or the immediate kin can access the record. A person with written permission from the individual on record or the family member can avail a certified copy of this record. The non certified copy of this record is open to anyone who applies for it. The request should be accompanied by the following information:
a) Full name of the individual as mentioned on the certificate
b) Father’s full name
c) Mother’s full maiden name
d) Place of birth
e) Date of birth
f) Your relationship with the individual
g) Your name
h) Your address
i) Your daytime telephone number with area code
j) Your mailing address
k) Your signature
For death records
These records are available to only the immediate kin of the person named on the certificate. A non-certified copy can be availed by anyone who applies for it. You need to enclose the name of the individual on the record, date of death, place of death, your relationship to the individual, the purpose of your request, your daytime telephone number with area code, mailing address and signature with the application.
For marriage certificates and divorce records from April 1836 and October 1907 respectively, you need to pay seven dollars each and mention the name of the couple, your relationship with them, your mailing address, your telephone number, date of marriage or divorce, place of the licenses issued and your signature with the request.
For more details on ordering court records works in Wisconsin, you can visit the official website at the address mentioned below: www.wisconsin.gov
December 5th, 2007
Process for ordering court records works in Wyoming
The vital records in Wyoming such as birth, death, marriage or divorce records can be easily obtained via applying to the vital records services. You also need to pay check or money order to vital records services. They accept personal checks. You need to enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope with the application.
You can also call up or visit the official website in order to confirm current fees. For birth and death certificates from July 1909 onwards, you need to pay about twelve dollars and nine dollars respectively. The Wyoming law limits the access of these records to only the following people:
a) The individual named on the certificate
b) Parents of the individual
c) Immediate kin
You must also include the following information:
a) Full name of the individual on the certificate
b) Full name of father
c) Full maiden name of mother
d) Your relationship with the individual
e) Your full mailing address
f) Reason for request
g) Your daytime telephone number with area code
h) Your signature
i) The place of birth/death
j) The date of birth/death
For more details on ordering court records works in Wyoming, you can visit the official website at the address mentioned below: www.wyoming.gov
December 3rd, 2007
Process for ordering court records works in Pennsylvania
All the checks and money order must be paid to the Division of vital records. They accept all personal check. You need to call or visit the website in order to verify the current fees.
Birth records
All birth records in Pennsylvania from January 1906 onwards can be bought at four dollars. The access to birth records in the state is limited to only immediate family members and legal representatives.
Any other family member can get a copy of this certificate only when the individual is deceased and a copy of the death certificate is produced in conjunction with the request you should also include the name of the individual as written on the certificate, date of birth, place of birth, father’s full name, mother’s full maiden name, your relationship with the individual, the reason for request, your daytime telephone number with area code, your handwritten signature and complete return mailing address with the request.
To get records earlier than January 1906, you need to write to the Register of wills, orphans court, in county seat of county where the event has actually occurred.
For marriage and divorce certificates, the dales and costs of each copy may vary. You can send your records at the following addresses:
For marriage records:
a) The marriage license clerk for the county court house where the license was issued
For divorce records:
a) The Prothonotary for the county court house where the divorce decree was granted
For more details on ordering court records works in Pennsylvania, you can visit the official website at the address mentioned below: www.state.pa.us
November 25th, 2007
Process for ordering court records works in Oregon
The check or money order for court records in Oregon should be paid to Oregon Health Division. You confirm about the current fees from the official website and additional copies of vital records can be easily ordered for twelve dollars each.
You may also order via a credit card by applying through telephone, fax or internet. The fee for the procedure would be twenty five dollars.
Birth and death records from July 1903 onwards would cost about fifteen dollars. The access to these records are restricted to hundred years to in Oregon and only registrant, immediate family members and legal representatives have the right to get these court records.
In case, you are not a family member, you can send your request with a notarized letter of consent and a signature of a family member on it. You need to include the following information with your request.
a) The name on the birth or death record being requested
b) Date of birth/death
c) Place of birth/death
d) Father’s full name
e) Mother’s full maiden name
f) Your relationship to the person name on the certificate
g) Reason for request
h) Your name
i) Your daytime telephone number
j) Your address
k) Your handwritten signature
For more details on ordering court records works in Oregon, you can visit the official website at the address mentioned below: www.oregon.gov
November 22nd, 2007
Process for ordering court records works in North Dakota
To obtain birth and death records from 1881 and 1870 respectively, you need to include as much information as possible about the following:
a) Full name at birth/death
b) Date of birth/death
c) City or county of birth/death
d) Father’s full name
e) Mother’s full maiden name
f) Your relationship to the individual
g) Your name and address
h) Day time telephone number
The additional copies of birth records are available at four dollars and death records are available for five dollars. You can easily apply for the same on the World Wide Web without any surcharge with a MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card.
To obtain marriage and divorce records from 1881 and 1925 respectively, you need to include good information on the following:
a) Date of marriage/divorce
b) Place of marriage/divorce
c) Bride’s and groom and husband and wife’s full name
d) County where marriage or divorce has occurred
e) Your name
f) Your address
g) Your daytime telephone number
h) Your relationship with the individual mentioned on the certificate
i) The reason for request
You can also apply online without the need to pay surcharge with a major credit card.
For more details on ordering court records works in North Dakota, you can visit the official website at the address mentioned below: www.nd.gov.
November 22nd, 2007
Process ordering court records works in Utah
All the checks or money orders should be made payable to Utah Department of Health. You can also pay via personal check. If you want to confirm the current fees, you need to visit the official website of the department. Any additional copy of vital records in Utah can be bought for a sum of five dollars each.
For birth and death records from 1905 onwards, you require to pay about twelve dollars and nine dollars each.
Utah restricts birth and death records to the person named on the records or his or her immediate kin. The following information should be attached with your record.
a) The full name of the individual as mentioned on the record
b) The date of birth/death
c) The place of birth/death
d) Father’s full name
e) Mother’s full name
f) Mother’s full maiden name
g) Your relationship with the individual mentioned on the records
h) Your daytime telephone number with area code
i) Your full mailing address
j) Your full handwritten signature
k) Your name
l) The valid reason for request
In case, the birth you want to locate has occurred from 1890-1904 in Salt Lake City or Ogden, you may contact the city health department. Death records in Utah from 1905-1950 are also available from the Utah state archives via paying $0.25 per page.
For more details on ordering court records works in Utah, you can visit the official website at the address mentioned below: www.utah.gov
November 19th, 2007
Process for ordering court records works in New Hampshire
To order court records works in New Hampshire, you need to pay the check or money order to Treasurer, State of New Hampshire. All personal checks are accepted. In case, you can visit the office, you may be able to get to the genealogical research vault present. These are available to general public and also contain the actual vital records dated 1640.
You can also request for all the records including surname and search through them for potential clues. For this, you can also visit the research center. It is open to the general public from 8:30 to 11:45 in the morning and from 12:15-4:00 in the evening, Monday through Friday. The volunteers will assist you in research. You may also call or visit the website to verify current fees via mail requests.
Birth records in New Hampshire from 1640 onwards can be easily bought at twelve dollars. Any such records less than hundred years old would not e considered public. Access to such records is restricted to individuals having a direct and tangible interest in this record. The state office contains records since 1640. If you go for any birth records before 1883, these would provide only little genealogical value.
Additional copies of the same record can be bought at eight dollars each. You should also include the following information with the application:
a) Place of birth
b) Date of birth
c) Full name at birth
d) Father’s name
e) Mother’s maiden name
f) Your relationship with individual
g) Reason for request
For more details on ordering court records works in New Hampshire, you can visit the official website at the address mentioned below: www.nh.gov
November 18th, 2007
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