How to Conduct a General Records Search

A general records search is one of the steps of conducting a background check on any individual. Background records are checked by different people for different reasons.

Employee background checks are done by businesses prior to recruiting new people. This is known as pre-employment verification. Tenant screening is done to ensure maximum security and safety before leasing a house to an individual. A criminal records check on any person reveals if the person has a criminal background and also further details in case the individual was convicted of any crime.

Subject of a General Records Search

General information about any person such as birth certificates, marriage information, divorce information, deaths, property related information, driving records, financial records etc. are revealed in any general background search.

This information is stored by the respective local law enforcement agencies and is public information. The higher authority such as the state government then gathers all the information from the various counties and creates a vast and comprehensive database. These can therefore be accessed by the general public.

Access to General Records

These records are often accessible on the Internet. However, the laws of each state are different. Hence, there is sometimes a difference between states regarding the data that is released to the public. Records pertaining to marriages or divorces or adoption are often not revealed to anyone except the parties involved in the case.

Financial searches are also a part of general background search. These may be utilized by banks and other financial institutions to judge the subject’s creditworthiness and decide about the future course of business with him or her.

Driver’s records that are maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles in most of the states in the country store detailed information abut any DUI or DWI conviction the subject may have faced in the past. This is of utmost importance in various places including background checks performed by employers.

A general records search also reveals any court records related to civil and federal judgments that the individual has been subjected to in the past. These also include cases of bankruptcies, tax liens etc.

General information is available at the county level, the state level and the federal level. You may also request a report of your own general records. You may need it for more than one purpose. If you are looking for employment you may need a copy of your own records for pre-employment verification. You may also want to view your records for updating them or correcting any error.

The general records are accessed by various agencies like employers, banks, tenants and so on for various purposes. The rules vary from one state to another. Also, the cost for obtaining a copy of the records is different. By visiting the official website of your county or state you may learn about the specific rules in your location and act accordingly.