Where Can I Access Public Records at No Charge?

Public records are accessible free of charge through various sources.

Public records can be acquired at no cost from various sources. These free sources include local (city or county), state or federal government offices as well as various Internet sources and other organizations.

Physical Sources

Local government offices including city offices, county offices, as well as local courthouses are a major source of public records at no charge. While these offices are equipped with walk-in requests for records during regular operational hours, a call ahead is recommended just to verify if the office requires a form of identification to access the public records.

Online Sources

A general online search can also yield various sources to obtain free public records. Many local jurisdictions as well as government offices have made their records accessible on the Internet at no charge. In addition, you can also access frequently searched records such as birth, death, marriage and divorce records for free through private genealogy websites.

Public Library

The public library is a great free resource for public records. In addition to having copies of public records, the public library is also equipped with computers where you can look up public records or talk to reference librarians who are a vital resource for looking up specific records.

References

• California Department of Public Health: Guidelines For Access To Public Records
• Records Project: How To Find Public Records On And Offline
• Public Records Lookup: Access For Free To Public Records