The District of Columbia Freedom of Information Act (DCFOIA) is the main law that governs public records in Washington D.C. The DCFOIA provides the public with the right to access records held by government agencies, with certain exceptions. The law applies to all records created or received by government agencies, including electronic records, and requires that these records be made available to the public upon request, unless they fall under one of the exemptions listed in the law.
Under the DCFOIA, any person can request access to public records by submitting a written request to the government agency that maintains the records. The request should include a detailed description of the records being sought, as well as the date range for the records. It's important to be as specific as possible in your request, as this will help the agency locate the records more easily and reduce the risk of your request being denied.
Are birth records public in Washington DC?
Birth records become public in Washington, D.C. after 125 years. Prior to that access is restricted to close relatives and certain authorized parties to protect the privacy and identity of the individual listed on the birth certificate.
How do I order a certified copy of a Washington DC birth certificate?
Birth records in the District of Columbia are maintained by the Vital Records Division of the DC Department of Health. Birth records are available for events that occurred within the District of Columbia from August 1874 to the present. To obtain a copy of a birth record, individuals can request one in person, by mail, or online. In order to request a birth record, individuals must provide proof of identity, relationship to the person listed on the record, and the reason for the request. The fee for a birth record varies depending on the type of request and how it is submitted. To order in person you can visit:
Vital Records Division
899 North Capitol Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 671-5000
Are death records public in Washington DC?
DC death records are confidential for the first 75 years from the date of death. After that they become accessible by the general public.
How can I order a certified copy of a Washington DC death certificate?
Death records in the District of Columbia are maintained by the DC Department of Health, Vital Records Division. Death records are available for events that occurred within the District of Columbia from August 1874 to the present. To obtain a copy of a death record, individuals can request one in person, by mail, or online. In order to request a death record, individuals must provide proof of identity, relationship to the person listed on the record, and the reason for the request. The fee for a death record varies depending on the type of request and how it is submitted.
How can I order an official copy of a marriage certificate in Washington DC?
Marriage records in the District of Columbia are maintained by the Marriage Bureau of the DC Superior Court. Marriage records are available for events that occurred within the District of Columbia from August 1874 to the present. In order to request a marriage record, individuals must provide proof of identity, relationship to the person listed on the record, and the reason for the request. The fee for a marriage record varies depending on the type of request and how it is submitted. To obtain a certified copy of a DC marriage record, individuals can request one online or by mail to:
District of Columbia Superior Court
Marriage Bureau - JM 690
500 Indiana Av. NW
Washington, DC 20001
How can I order an official copy of a divorce decree in Washington DC?
Divorce records in the District of Columbia are maintained by the DC Superior Court. Divorce records are available for events that occurred within the District of Columbia from August 1874 to the present. To obtain an official copy of a divorce decree for a divorce that occurred after 1957, individuals can request one in person or by mail from the Washington, DC Superior Court. In order to request a divorce record, individuals must provide proof of identity and the case number for the divorce. The fee for a divorce record varies depending on the type of request and how it is submitted. You can order an official divorce decree from the county clerk where the divorce took place for divorces that occurred prior to 1957.
How can I search for criminal records in Washington DC?
Criminal records in the District of Columbia are maintained by the DC Metropolitan Police Department. Criminal records are available for events that occurred within the District of Columbia from August 1874 to the present. To obtain a copy of a criminal record, individuals can request one in person or by mail. In order to request a criminal record, individuals must provide proof of identity and the case number for the crime. The fee for a criminal record varies depending on the type of request and how it is submitted.
How do I access court records in Washington DC?
Court records in the District of Columbia are maintained by the DC Superior Court. Court records are available for events that occurred within the District of Columbia from August 1874 to the present. To obtain a copy of a court record, individuals can request one in person or by mail. In order to request a court record, individuals must provide proof of identity and the case number for the court case. The fee for a court record varies depending on the type of request and how it is submitted.
Where can I search for Washington DC business licenses?
Regulatory Affairs (DCRA). This agency maintains a database of all businesses registered in the city, including their contact information, business type, and any licenses or permits they hold. To access business records, individuals can visit the DCRA website or visit the DCRA office in person.
How do I order a driving history in Washington DC?
Driver records in DC can be accessed through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This agency maintains a database of all drivers in the city, including their driving history, vehicle registration, and any traffic violations they have received. To access driver records, individuals can visit the DMV website or visit a DMV office in person.
How I find out who owns a property in Washington DC?
Property records in DC can be accessed through the Department of Real Property (DRP). This agency maintains a database of all property in the city, including its ownership, value, and any tax liens or encumbrances on the property. To access property records, individuals can visit the DRP website or visit the DRP office in person.
District of Columbia public records provide a wealth of information about businesses, drivers, and property within the city. These records are available to the public and can be accessed through various methods, depending on the type of record being sought. To access these records, individuals can visit the relevant agency's website or visit the agency's office in person, and may need to provide identification and pay a fee. There are also several organizations in DC that offer assistance with accessing public records, and it's important to stay up-to-date on the latest laws and regulations when accessing public records in DC.