About District Of Columbia Public Records

About District Of Columbia public records

The District of Columbia has several agencies which cater to public requests of routinely obtained records. Many of the public records kept in various department individually can be directly ordered. Unlike other states, DC's agencies cover the entire territory without county governments. Repository of real estate information is at the Office of Tax and Revenue which provides land records, general public instruments, tax forms and registrations. Other public entities with records are the department of health for vital certificates of birth and deaths since 1874, civil and criminal courts, registrar of wills, U.S. bankruptcy court, Metropolitan Police Department for incident reports and professional licensing verification.

State background and court information

The District of Columbia, or Washington DC, was officially founded on July 16, 1790, and has since served as the permanent national capital. As such, it is not officially part of any state government but is overseen instead by the federal government, with the U.S. Congress having ultimate authority over the city. The number of persons residing in D.C. is approximately 600,000, with it's ranks swelling to over 1 million with the influx of commuters entering the city during the work week. The city government consists of a mayor and a 13 member city council. On the national level, the city is represented by one at-large congressional delegate without voting authority, and has no senate representation. Located within the city are the centers of all three branches of the federal government. There are 176 foreign embassies and headquarters for several world organizations such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Organization of American States and the Pan American Health Organization. Washington D.C. is also home to many national monuments and museums.

D.C is, as are other states, bound by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This act provides the right of any person to request access to public records and documents. All records may be requested; however, there is also a provision for exemptions from FOIA disclosure. The information that is not restricted by the D.C. FOIA may be accessed by a direct link from the PublicRecordCenter. Also contained on that same link are instructions on how to request existing information, applicable fees, and appeals process information.

As there is so much information regarding government public records and documents in the city of Washington D.C., PublicRecordCenter is especially helpful for locating web sites which contain these vital records and documents. A single page presents a listing of direct links to web sites containing specific record categories, allowing easy access to particular areas of interest. By following these well organized links, a researcher will be able to eliminate accessing confusing and incorrect sites and focus on the desired information.

Criminal histories and records for Washington D.C. residents are maintained by the Metropolitan Police Department. Those seeking criminal histories for the purposes of employment, licensing, adoption, apartment rental applications, or passports and visas, may apply in person at the Arrest and Criminal History Section of the police department. Request forms are available there and are then processed in about twenty-four hours. Instructions for requesting criminal history information by mail are available on the web site for those unable to make the request in person.

Search the PublicRecordCenter page regarding asset searches to obtain information regarding public inspection of land records, professional license verification, business ownership records, and multiple documents concerning personal and corporate assets. The office of the Chief Financial Officer offers a database search of unclaimed property. Search also for bankruptcy information, liens and UCC judgment filing records.

Court records in Washington D.C. are also a matter of public information. The D.C. court system is aligned by the various courts and the services they provide. Each individual court maintains a web page providing details of that particular court's jurisdiction and purpose. Some of the courts would include the Superior Court, Appellate Court, Bankruptcy Court, Family Court, Probate Court, and Small Claims Court, just to name a few. Information concerning case records and documents can be obtained from the individual court web sites. PublicRecordCenter offers quick searches for accurate, official information on recorded documents.

Court records and filings

Access District of Columbia Courts online directly. Search court records; from District of Columbia county courts to Supreme courts. Find criminal filings, District of Columbia dissolution of marriage or divorce records from official state websites. File small claims lawsuits. Link to District of Columbia probate sources with helpful information. Bankruptcy courts by jurisdiction or by districts. District of Columbia state courts contact information such as telephone numbers and more.

Court search routes

As there may be more than one source to obtaining District of Columbia criminal, civil and divorce records, it is important to search multiple state courts to find the correct records.

District of Columbia Court Structure:

The District of Columbia superior court has exclusive jurisdiction to hear cases involving civil matters (with amount in controversies of $5,001 and above; no maximum). District of Columbia's small claims courts have jurisdiction to hear cases with amounts in controversy from $0-$5,000. The superior court has exclusive domestic relations jurisdiction, exclusive criminal jurisdiction, and exclusive jurisdiction over traffic or other violations, except for most parking cases (which are handled administratively). The superior court has exclusive jurisdiction over juvenile matters. The superior court is the proper venue for preliminary hearings as well. The District of Columbia's court of appeals has mandatory jurisdiction over cases involving civil matters, criminal matters, administrative agency matters, juvenile matters, disciplinary matters, original proceedings, and interlocutory decision matters. Its court of appeals has discretion ("discretionary jurisdiction") to hear cases involving small claims, minor criminal matters, and original proceeding matters.

Vital records

Statewide District of Columbia vital records. Search births, marriage records and death certificates. Divorces filed with courts. State vital records offices. Link to the agencies in District of Columbia and order vital records. Many records are public information available to the public from private and government entities. You can use information to verify your records. Look up vital statistics and free vital searches in District of Columbia to conduct research online. Vital Records Division of the State Center for Health Statistics to obtain or amend birth and death records, Receiving a Certified Copy of a Marriage License from DC Courts.

Government records and agencies

Access District of Columbia government agencies and obtain information on executive branches, legislative branches and jucidial branches within state jurisdiction. Link below to the state government agencies as well as state government information and services. Other state government resources such as codified state law, voters registration and other state government departments

Driving and vehicle records

Direct District of Columbia official government links to driver license and registration resources. Vehicle registration, tags, driving history, online forms, office locations, and hours.

Expungements and record clearing

The District of Columbia allows expungement of arrests without conviction and certain misdemeanors through DC Superior Court.

Genealogy and historical research

District of Columbia genealogy related links and topics. Individual state search of your ancestors, start a family tree, browse census records and more online.