How to Find Information on a People Search (Almost Anyone)

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Finding information on a person you are interested in learning more about can be as easy as typing in their name on a people finder search engine. A good search engine is always the best place to start. You can also try online white pages, or community sites where sometimes users relay personal information without even knowing it.

If you are trying to obtain criminal record information on a person, you will not be able to get a criminal record or CORI without the person’s consent. Obviously, if you are investigating someone and you don’t want them to know about it, you will not be able to obtain an official CORI. If you are interested in a CORI search for a prospective employee, have the potential sign a waiver and then you can request a CORI from your local state police department.

District court houses are one of the first places any private investigator begins to search for information pertaining to a person they want to learn more about. If you go into a district court house clerk’s office, there is generally a public computer on the counter that you can use for free.

Carrying out a Successful People Search

District court information is a matter of public record. If you locate the person you are looking for in the public computer and there are docket numbers associated, the clerk will pull those files for you and you can read them for as long as you want.

You may find the person you are looking for, but the docket numbers are from a different court. If this is true, you must go to the court where the file is to review the documents. Each court only holds the records for matters handled in their court rooms although the computer catalogs all matters for the entire state.

While looking through the court records, you should know that you are not allowed to copy anything in the file with a copy machine. You are allowed to take notes and you are allowed to ask the clerks information. If a file involves a restraining order, sometimes the restraining order is not available to the public in order to protect the identity of the victim.

District court records may also be available for divorces, land proceedings, and small claims lawsuits. Most business that is court related is public record and all that you have to do is find it (use the computer at court) and request the file from the clerk. You may be asked why you are interested in a file, but you don’t have to give an answer if you feel uncomfortable.

If you think that the person you are investigating is incarcerated, you can call your local jail and ask. Criminals have few rights regarding privacy once they are incarcerated and the general public is allowed to know who is in jail anywhere, just by asking.