How to Find Someone's Public Records Online (2026 Guide)

Public records — including property ownership, court filings, marriage and divorce records, and business registrations — are legally accessible to anyone in the United States, and most can now be searched online without visiting a courthouse. The key is knowing which record type lives where, since no single database holds everything.

What Counts as a Public Record

Property records — ownership history, assessed value, tax records, and liens, typically held at the county assessor or recorder's office.

Court records — civil and criminal case filings, judgments, and small claims history.

Vital records — marriage, divorce, and in many states, birth and death records (some require a relationship to the person).

Business filings — LLC registrations, DBAs, and corporate officers, held at the Secretary of State level.

Professional licenses — for regulated professions like real estate, medicine, and law.

Where These Records Actually Live

Most public records are maintained at the county or state level, not federally, which is why a single national search often returns incomplete results. County recorder and assessor offices usually have free online portals for property records. State Secretary of State websites handle business filings. Court records are typically split between county courthouses and state judiciary portals.

Using a Directory Instead of Chasing Each Agency

Rather than tracking down which of 3,000+ county offices holds a given record, directory tools aggregate publicly available government sources into a single searchable interface — pointing you to the right source instead of manually navigating dozens of separate county websites.

Staying on the Right Side of Legitimate Use

Public records are legal to search, but how you use the information matters. Using records for stalking, harassment, or in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (for tenant or employment screening without proper consent) can create legal liability regardless of how the record was obtained. Legitimate uses include due diligence on a property purchase, verifying a business before signing a contract, or researching your own family history.

FAQ

Are public records really free to access? The underlying government records are free at the source (county/state offices), though many private lookup sites charge for convenience of aggregation and formatting.

Can I find someone's address using public records? Property ownership records are public, so if someone owns real estate, that information is generally searchable. Rental addresses are not typically public record.

Is it legal to look up someone's court records? Yes, court filings are public unless specifically sealed by a judge, such as in certain juvenile or expunged cases.

Do I need a reason to search public records? No reason is legally required to search most public records, though certain sensitive uses (background checks for employment/housing) are regulated separately under the FCRA.

*Start your search at [Searchadex](/) to pull property, court, and business records from a single directory.*