Public records are non-confidential documents usually filed with a governmental agency. In general, these documents are available to the public for viewing, although sometimes you may have to pay a fee and/or have special authorization to obtain copies.
Access to public records varies depending on location and type of record. Some public records are available online, while others are only available by visiting the specific government office in which they were filed (this is especially true for documents filed with small, local government offices).
This guide provides useful resources to locate various types of public records. The information herein is provided for informational purposes only, and the Legal Research Center and Drexel University School of Law do not support or endorse any of the provider services listed.
Guide originally created by: Stephanie Huffnagle
