Search Systems
Tool Description : A directory of public records databases to find official government sources for court, business, property, licensing and other public records across the US and internationally.
Search Systems
Quick Overview
What it does
Finds official public records databases from around the world in one searchable directory.
How to use it
Browse by country, state or record type, then follow links to the originating government database.
Cost
Free.
Account required
No.
Cookies
Minimal/none.
Ownership
Search Systems SR LLC (formerly Pacific Information Resources, Inc.).
Use in Reporting
Useful for locating authoritative public records and official databases. Particularly valuable for identifying where records are held rather than hosting the records itself.
What does Search Systems do?
Search Systems acts as a searchable index of official government databases, directing users to courts, county recorders, property assessors, company registries, licensing authorities, inmate databases and many other public record sources.
The platform covers all 50 US states, over 3,000 counties, and numerous international jurisdictions. It categorises thousands of official databases by subject and geography, making it easier for investigators to locate the correct authority without manually searching multiple government websites.
The lowdown: The platform doesn’t host the underlying data, it simply links users to the originating source, acting as a search directory.
How to Use:
1. Search by person, organisation, location or browse by record category (e.g. court records, property records, business licences or criminal records).
2. Navigate to the relevant jurisdiction and follow the directory link to the official government database.
Note: Some searches will link you through to the third-party site ‘Been Verified’.
Business Filings will show this directory:
3. Search the originating authority directly, download available records and corroborate findings with additional official sources where appropriate.
Cost
Some linked databases or premium search services may charge fees.
Data Processing
Account Required:
Cookies:
Minimal/none used during our site session on 2 July 2026 but be aware of cookies on third-party sites.
Use in Reporting
Typical reporting uses include:
Locating court records for civil or criminal proceedings.
Finding business registration and corporate filing databases.
Identifying property ownership and land records.
Accessing professional licensing and regulatory registers.
Finding inmate, sex offender, or warrant databases where publicly available.
Supporting due diligence, litigation research, financial investigations and background reporting by directing investigators to primary source records.
You can view examples of where Search Systems has been cited by major media, government agencies, and academic institutions here.
Capabilities
Limitations
Indexes thousands of official public records databases in one place.
Doesn’t host or verify the underlying records.
Covers federal, state, country, and international public record sources.
Coverage is strongest for the U.S. International coverage is more limited.
Organises records by jurisdiction and subject area.
Linked government databases vary considerably in quality, availability, and search functionality.
Links directly to official government databases rather than third-party copies.
Some official sources charge fees or require registration to access records.
Great for discovering obscure local record repositories.
Broken links may occasionally occur as government websites change.
Summary
Search Systems is best used during the source discovery and record acquisition stages of the OSINT workflow, particularly useful before conducting detailed court, business, property or regulatory record searches.
Ownership
Search Systems is operated by Search Systems SR LLC, a US-based company. The directory was founded in 1997 and has long been recognised as one of the largest directories of public records resources on the internet.
Ethical Considerations
Use records only for lawful and legitimate investigative purposes.
Respect applicable privacy laws and jurisdictional restrictions.
Verify information obtained from public records before publication.
Be aware that public records may contain outdated or incomplete information.
Do not use Search Systems for decisions regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), such as employment or tenant screening.
Consider the public interest and proportionality when reporting on individuals identified through public records.
Related Tools:
OpenSanctions
Sources
Last updated
Was this helpful?