We live in a democracy where government information is supposed to be available for everyone; I am talking about public records. However, when you try to access information that is not about you personally, there are many laws in placed that will prevent you from accessing those public records. However, there is a way to gain access to what you are seeking, namely, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Passed in 1966, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) allows any person the right to request access to all government records -public records. With this powerful tool as your ally, you can gain access a great deal of information from almost any government agency. What you have to do is to file the public record's request with the appropriate department in the agency that you are trying to request information. Each will have their specific forms and procedures, and there may be a paperwork fee involved. The process may take a little time, but in the end you will receive your information, if you meet the requirements in the specific request.
FOIA is especially powerful and effective when applied to government employees and government entities. Every year, you will read in the papers how much income some of our government officials report on their IRS filings. Do you how reporters are able to gainfully access information? You don't think that these government officials volunteered such information to the public, do you?
But what about privacy laws that prevent the access of personal information, didn't those laws apply in this particular instance?
Ah... That's the beauty of our democratic society. We have so many laws that sometimes they override each other. Here, the freedom to know and to access override privacy laws that protect private citizens. Specifically, when someone works for the government, they become a public figure and must yield to the powers of the FOIA. This also applies to state employees -how do you think reporters are able to access public university documents, including such information as athletic coaches' contracts? Why, FOIA, of course.
When you are trying to find someone using the public records, things can get very confusing. But there is free help just around the corner, just a click away. I am a librarian and my website is designed to help you. Learn how to search public properly, for free, and find the records you seek, Public Records People come to me all day at the library. You, too, can get help from me. I am just a click away: http://www.LibrarianPeopleSearch.com
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