Samuel Johnson quote, The next best thing to knowing something, is knowing where to find it.The AllFreeRecords.com Mission:

AllFreeRecords.com (AFR) is an emerging web resource with a goal of offering users a one stop location to find the data they need in order to obtain federal, state, county and local documents under the Freedom of Information Act(s) [FOIA] and all applicable state and county statutes. AFR also hopes to help users understand the different FOIA regulations as they are applied to the various governmental branches as well as facilitate ease of outreach wherever possible, not only by providing the appropriate contact information, but also by providing a guideline for contact wherever possible. Please keep in mind that this site is a work in process and continual upgrades and additions will occur over time.

While we do currently offer sponsored searches to help facilitate your info hunt, and will continue to do so, future versions of this site will include free searchable databases for the various types of free data we are able to compile. This will be accomplished for the goal of providing users not only a single source for all the appropriate contact information and statutory explanation, but to also help facilitate whatever free searches we can. It is our mission to offer users the most comprehensive resource possible in this field- but this will take time, so please be patient and check back often!

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What is the Freedom Of Information Act [FOIA]?

The FOIA allows for the full or partial disclosure of previously unreleased information and documents controlled by the US Government. It defines agency records subject to disclosure, outlines mandatory disclosure procedures and grants exemptions to the statute. The FOIA explicitly applies only to federal government agencies. States have their own versions of this law and those are outlined by AFR on the applicable state pages.

**YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR INFORMATION RELEASED TO YOU BY STATE AND COUNTY OFFICES UNDER THE FOIA**
Agencies are allowed to charge fees related to storage, retrieval and delivery of information open to the public under the freedom of information act. Each agency has different rules and fee schedules and should be consulted directly to better understand what those are.   You will also find sponsored searches available on our site through our various partners; these are offered to you as a means of simplifying your searching as well as possibly helping you to control your costs for records retrieval.  The are offered only as a value add to the site and have no bearing on the data we offer.

EXEMPTIONS TO FOIA were created to protect national security, the public safety, personal privacy and the operational integrity of agencies and the areas they regulate.

1) Information relating to national defense/ security
2) Relating solely to the internal workings of an agency
3) Any documents that may lead to the defamation of character or constitute an invasion of personal privacy
4) Trade secrets and commercial or financial information,
5) Inter and intra agency memoranda or correspondence that would not otherwise be available under the law (unless it is subpoenaed)
6) Personnel, medical or similar files that would constitute an invasion of personal privacy
7) Records of criminal investigation the release of which might interfere with the investigation or could reasonably constitute an invasion of personal privacy or reveal investigative techniques and secrets that might interfere with future investigations or endanger lives.
8) Any documents contained in or related to any form of document created for or by an agency responsible for the regulation of financial institutions that might cause instability or speculation.
9) Any type of geological and geophysical info or data including maps concerning wells.

The Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996
The Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996 (E-FOIA) stated that all federal agencies are required by statute to make certain types of records, created by the agency on or after November 1, 1996, available electronically. Agencies must also provide electronic reading rooms for citizens to use to have access to records. An Agency's response time for a FOIA request can be up to 20 days under the law.

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What records are available under the FOIA?

State/County/City Information

  • Police/ Sheriffs [except ongoing investigations and sealed records]
  • Tax Collection/Services
  • Crime Stoppers/ Tip Lines
  • Contact Info and Addresses
  • Court Records:
  • Divorce records
  • Docket calendars
  • Estate records
  • Legal Documents
  • Property records
  • Wills, Deeds, and more.

Records that impact our environment:

  • Regulations
  • Public Notices
  • Records of mining and drilling.

Genealogy and family history information

  • Genealogical Societies
  • Historical Societies
  • History Museums
  • Archives
  • Biographies
  • Cemetery Records
  • Census Records
  • Court Records
  • Military Records
  • Newspaper Articles
  • Obituaries
  • Vital Records

Government Documents open to the public:

  • Constitution
  • Laws and Codes
  • Unclaimed Property

Jail & Prison Records:

  • Fugitive / escapee information
  • Incident / offense reports
  • Inmate locators
  • Jail logs

Sex Offenders:

  • Current addresses
  • Data sheets and Photo's

Vital Records:

  • Birth, Death, and Marriage records.
  • AND MORE!!

Bookmark this site!

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RESOURCES

INFORMATION WEBSITES

Ancestorhunt.com - Bible Records, Genealogy Search Engines, Obituary search, US and UK searches and more!

Census Diggins - Databases and transcriptions. Don't forget to register for the weekly Free Giveaway!

Free Census Records - US, United Kingdom and Canada Census record links categorized down to the county level.

Free Genealogy Search Engines - free genealogy searches and sources by state.

Genealogy Links - Genealogy resources and guides for the united states.

GenWed.com - marriage records directory and database for genealogy research.

Newspaper Obituaries - RECENT newspaper obituaries for each state.

U.S. Genealogy - Genealogy resources and guides for the united states.

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