How Do You Access Public Records?
When most people want to access public records, they are interested in the subset of public records referred to as "vital" records. This is public information on birth, death and marriage certificates. Many people find this information useful for family genealogy research. There are many services through the Internet that charge for "vital" information of a specific person, demanding money for the every bit of information they give you. But you can access records through official government offices of the state of interest; it isn't always free, as copy and printing charges may apply, but you can be sure your source is official.
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Instructions
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Put down in writing the information that you are seeking. This will help you organize your search. When looking up the vital records of a person, it helps to know the state (and, if possible, the county) that the vital record was originally made in. Double-check your facts and make sure that you have the correct spelling of names and/or aliases. Incorrect spelling could delay search results considerably.
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Visit the official website of your state of interest. This is the best place to start to find out how to get access to public records. Each state's process is slightly different. Some offer online access, some require in-person or snail mail requests. Some states have separate vital records offices while others keep the information within their health services department. The format for a state's official website is www.statename.gov---for example, www.michigan.gov.
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Search from the homepage for vital record information. Again, each site will be slightly different, but there will be a search field on every homepage. Some key words to search with are "birth certificate," "marriage certificate" or "vital records." From here you will get a list of links that mention those topics. You may get directed to a vital records site that details information on how to apply for records or a different page on the home site that gives you contact information.
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Use contact information and/or forms provided online to obtain your records. Read carefully the guidelines outlined to get the records you are looking for. Follow the guidelines exactly. Write down all contact information given on the paper you have your search information written; this will prevent the necessity of booting up your computer each time you want to contact the government office.
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Tips & Warnings
Each state's site will have a link at the bottom of the homepage that says "contact us." If you can't find vital records contact information through your own search, use the number listed under "contact us" and ask by phone how you can receive vital record information. If you are looking for criminal records, visit the official attorney general site of the state of interest.
