When you need information to be obtained from public records, you could carry out the research yourself. However, this can be a very time-consuming process, even if the information that you need is freely available. A private investigator can help to make the task a lot easier. Using a private investigator for open records research saves you time and helps to ensure you obtain the correct and most relevant information too.
Open source records searches can involve obtaining a range of different information, including births, deaths, marriages, addresses, employment history, property ownership, and more. Private investigators can be useful for private individuals, as well as law firms and corporate firms who may be looking for information for legal cases or employees, respectively.
Regulations Relating to Open Source Information
A couple of pieces of federal and state legislation make certain information available to the public. The Freedom of Information Act relates to federal agency records and information, while the Colorado Open Records Act pertains to records in the state of Colorado.
Freedom of Information Act
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides the right to request access to federal records and information, except where the records are protected by law. There are nine exemptions in the law, as well as three special law enforcement exclusions. The FOIA applies to federal agencies only and doesn’t require agencies to do research for you.
Colorado Open Records Act
The Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requires that most public records in Colorado are available to the public. Anyone can request public records in the possession of a government office, including the Secretary of State’s office. Some examples of records that are excluded include criminal justice records, trade secrets, and agency cybersecurity plans.
How a Private Investigator Can Help with Open Records Research
Although you can request access to public records yourself, it may take a long time. The process involves knowing what information to ask for and where to request it, which is on top of waiting for an answer to your request. A private investigator can help you with open records research for a variety of purposes. You might need professional help for a corporate or business need, or you may be looking for information on individuals for personal reasons, ranging from unfaithful spouses to looking for birth parents.
Private investigators have experience with requesting information from public records. They know which agencies to approach for the information that they need and they understand how to make a request to ensure what they are asking for is clear and will be responded to quickly. Private investigators will carry out a number of steps to help you find the information that you need through open source channels.
Firstly, the private investigator will determine your needs. By understanding what you are looking for, they can determine which information they need and where to look for it. When they understand what your requirements are, they can then create a plan of investigation to set out which tasks to complete and which documents to look for.
Much of the initial research that will be carried out will begin online. The internet often provides a quick starting point to allow the investigator to narrow down what they’re looking for and where to find it. It can be a useful tool, but there is also a lot of information that might need to be combed through. Expert open source private investigators know how to find the information that they need without wasting time. They get leads on original records that might be helpful in their investigation so that they can then obtain them. The investigator will then approach the appropriate agencies to request the records that they are looking for. This can include agencies at a local, state, or national level.
Original records provide the best evidence to make a case or discover the truth. Some initial information may be available online, but for the greatest level of accuracy, copies of the original records should be seen. The records can be used for legal cases, business requirements, or personal investigations. They can include a broad range of documents, including birth, marriage, and death certificates, financial information, employment records, military records, and a lot more.
If you need to search through open source records to find important information, Assurance Investigations and Process Service can help you. Our expert private investigators are highly experienced and knowledgeable and know what to look for and where to look when you need to find vital information.
