If you’re looking into someone’s records or even your own, you’ll only be able to find a certain level of information. This is because some records are public and some are private. Whether or not your record is private or public is dependent on the kind of record you’re checking and the agency that keeps it. So what is the difference between these two kinds of records?
What is a public record?
A public record is typically one held by the local government. These records include property, birth, marriage, and other vital records. These records are accessible to the public without needing a legal reason to search.
What is a private record?
A private record is one that is held by an individual, business, or certain government agencies. This can include medical records, credit card statements, driver’s license information, and bank statements. These are not generally accessible by the public without permission from the individual or business holding them.
Can private records be viewed?
There are some exceptions to the rules for accessing private information in certain circumstances. For example, if you hired a private investigator to obtain information regarding bank accounts for a subject whom you have a judgment against, they can pull these records, as a third party, legally to aid in the case. Without the assistance of a licensed third party, or a legal order in some cases, it’s very unlikely that the holder of this information distribute it. Essentially, private records can only be viewed with the legal authority given by either the individual or organization holding the information.
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