I was asked to do an informal presentation on using online public records to develop leads and stories.
While preparing, I sat down and quickly listed off sources of online records that I routinely use. The list turned out to be longer than I thought it would be.
For the presentation, I added comments on the types of data in each and suggestions on how to use it. I’ll have to take some time and fill in similar comments here, but that will have to be at another time.
In any case, here’s my initial list. I would welcome your suggestions of accessible databases to add to the list. Perhaps this can become an ongoing public access project.
Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission
Vocational and Professional Licensing
Consumer complaints about businesses/licensees
Board of Land and Natural Resources (Staff submittals)
Office of Information Practices
Federal Courts (Pacer)(account required)
Justia (federal court cases filed in Hawaii)
Federal lobbyists database (U.S. Senate)
Federal lobbyists database (OpenSecrets.org)
Securities & Exchange Commission (Edgar)
Patterns of political influence (Influence Explorer)
Municipal Bond Statements (EMMA)
Union Disclosure/Office of Labor-Management Standards
Nonprofits & charities (Guidestar.org)
Hawaii nonprofits & charities database (Hawaii Attorney General)
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Fabulous resource – mahalo!
Many more I use on a near-daily basis: all counties have property tax records online. Also the DLNR has its staff submittals to the Land Board online. The OIP has its opinions online. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s ADAMS website has all documents relating to its dockets in pdf format. The OEQC website has all editions of its Environmental Notice (formerly the OEQC bulletin) online, as well as most EAs and EISes. The state auditor’s office has all its reports available online as well.
Public Records Search sometimes sounds daunting to people who aren’t in the legal world. But in reality, checking public records can be a snap if you know how and where to look for them. Sometimes that is as easy as turning on a computer, but other times requires you to get a little creative when hunting down information.
Thanks. I will add to my list. Hawaii Information Services.
That list is a great resource. So great, perhaps you could include it as a page in your site or even in the left hand column of your blog.