Washington, DC public records laws and regulations control the access that the public has to records on individuals such as criminal background, immigration status and vital records. These laws also apply to government records such as meeting minutes and voting records.

Washington DC public record laws may be grouped according to the aspect of public records that they address. These include the following three general areas:

1. Laws on Washington DC public court records that regulate the manner in which public information may be accessed. These laws may specify issues such as the length of time the state has to respond to information requests, any fees an agency is allowed to charge and whether the requestor must provide a reason for wanting the information.
2. Laws that define what information on an individual may be considered public. These laws control the personal information that may be accessed by an individual or party designated by the individual.
3. Laws that specify what government records may be accessible to the public. These laws are usually intended to permit journalists to perform a Washington DC court case search or to allow private citizens to provide input on government decisions.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Review the procedures for accessing Washington, DC public records

Access to Washington, DC court records and public records covered by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in Washington, DC is typically handled by the Attorney General. County and municipal courts may also provide access to Washington DC criminal records.

I recommend: The Council of the District of Columbia outlines the specific procedure for obtaining public records under Washington, DC's FOIA. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press provides an open government guide outlining public records laws and regulations for Washington, DC.

Learn about the laws regulating access of Washington, DC public records for individuals

Public records for individuals typically include vital records such as birth certificates, marriage licenses and death certificates. Individuals may only be able to access their own personal records.

I recommend: The District of Columbia Department of Health provides extensive information on accessing birth and death records for individuals. District of Columbia Courts offers information on obtaining marriage license records in Washington, DC.

Look for Washington, DC public records laws on government records

Government records may include meeting minutes, budget reports and real estate sales. Some government departments provide many different types of government records, while others may be dedicated to a specific type of record.

I recommend: The Office of the Secretary in Washington, DC collects, preserves and services the official government records for the District of Columbia. The Recorder of Deeds for the Government of the District of Columbia provides an online search of public records related to real estate in Washington, DC.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Washington, DC public records law is generally guided by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This federal legislation was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1966. The FOIA was amended by the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments in 1996 which controls the electronic access the public has to these records.

Whether you're looking for information about a potential employee or researching facts on a property, you need to access DC public records. Public records are documents that have been filed or recorded by either public agencies or private individuals. Such records include birth and death records, marriage and divorce papers, criminal records, real estate documents, licenses and so on.

Public records are held by the federal, state and local governments, who in turn determine their availability. Although Washington, DC court records are accessible to the public, you may be expected to pay for some information; the fees will vary depending on the department. You can always visit offices for public records, though there's a breadth of information online. When researching public records in DC, remember the following:

1. When doing a background check on an individual, you may want to consider a nationwide search. This will cover information, not just in Washington, DC public records but in the country as a whole.

2. Make sure that the DC public court records you get are up to date.

3. Get information from a credible source when searching public records online. You may be liable for turning someone down if you base a hiring decision on incorrect facts.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Opt for a Washington, DC public record search to get information on real estate

Information on real estate is always available to the public. If you're looking for specific data on a particular property, such as zoning information, assessments or building requirements, you can find those on government sites. Additionally, you can research title and deed information, find out who owns a property and get tax information.

I recommend: Access property records in Washington D.C., including ownership and valuation details, at the Land Records Research Directory or washingtonpost.com. You can also find comprehensive property information by visiting the Washington, DC Recorder of Deeds office.

Consider a Washington, DC court case search before you hire

As a business owner, it's smart to run background checks on potential employees, especially if you're hiring childcare providers or teachers. Background checks can range from verifying a person's Social Security number, to a detailed account of the person's history and acquaintances. Before doing a background check, you must get permission from the individual.

I recommend: The Metropolitan Police Department can help you obtain DC criminal records. Additionally, Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) is an online tool offered by the United States Judiciary. It allows access to case and docket information from federal appellate, district and bankruptcy courts.

Track down anyone with a DC public records search

With the assistance of the Internet and the right data, you can track down any individual, living or deceased. If you already know the person's Social Security number, date of birth, or last known address, you can use these to research vital records. Less information than that makes your search a little more difficult, but still possible.

I recommend: You can find DC birth records, as well as divorce, marriage and death records, at the Washington, D.C. Department of Health. Public People Finder can help you track someone down using a variety of information, but they do require a fee.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act regulates how consumer credit information, including DC foreclosure records, is collected and used by outside companies-- not employers. The act also restricts reporting on arrest records and other negative information after seven years, with the exception of criminal convictions.

Washington, DC public records pricing and costs from government agencies are generally set by law for each document in the case of recent records. Copies of older records may be available for a nominal fee if the required research is minimal. Government agencies generally charge an hourly rate when they must perform a substantial amount of research.

The cost of Washington, DC court records also depends on the specific type of records being sought. There are three general types of public records:

1. Washington, DC public court records. These records consist of DC birth certificates, DC death records, marriage records and divorce records. Vital records are generally accessible by the individual or immediate family members.
2. Washington, DC public records for historical research. These records may include older vital records or other public records that are of historical, rather than personal, interest. The access of historical records is generally available to the public.
3. Washington, DC public records on government activity. These records may include budget reports, meeting minutes and voting records. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for Washington, DC specifies the government records that are available to the public.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get prices on Washington, DC public records directly from official sources

Public records in Washington, DC are available at centralized sources and the cost is generally set by state law. Counties and municipalities may allow a Washington, DC court case search and set the fees independently of the state. Paper records are generally more expensive than electronic records.

I recommend: The District of Columbia Department of Health charges $23 for a copy of the long-form birth certificate and $18 for the short-form birth certificate. The District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department provides an arrest and criminal history record for $7.

Find pricing on older Washington, DC public records in state archives

Search Washington, DC court records in libraries or other facilities that are dedicated to historical research. The cost of obtaining historical records in Washington, DC is generally much less than that of accessing recent vital records. The cost may be limited to the photocopying fee in many cases.

I recommend: The Washington, DC Recorder of Deeds provides access to land records in Washington DC for $4 per document. The Historical Society of Washington, DC provides free online access to the records in its archives.

Obtain prices on Washington, DC public records for government activity

Washington, DC government records are available under the FOIA and other sunshine laws. The cost of these records may vary greatly, depending on the specific records that are being sought. Many Washington, DC business records may be found for free on public Internet sites.

I recommend: The United States Office of Government Ethics in Washington, DC charges a maximum of $25 for a FOIA request, unless stated otherwise by the requestor. The Council of the District of Columbia states that there is no fee for submitting an FOIA request, although requestors should state the maximum fee they are willing to pay.