How Do You Access Public Property Records?
Public records are collations of information that are collected and stored by various authorities, such as local, state, federal and government agencies. In theory, this information is available to the public, hence the title “public records.” In reality, however, access to some records is not as simple as you would think. Moreover, in some cases, accessing public records is not free. In some states, such as California for example, a Public Records Act ensures that no personal information can be obtained without the individual’s consent. In the majority of cases, public property records are not among the records that are difficult to get hold of. In fact, many states have set up online access to property assessment records, which can be accessed by searching for the address, property ID number or, in some cases, the owner’s name. Why Would I Need Public Property Records? The public records pertaining to property offer a wealth of information about a house, including the sales history,
