dc public records search guide to find property, court, and agency files

Where to look

In Washington, DC, public information lives in several places. Start with the Recorder of Deeds for property histories, look to Superior Court portals for civil and criminal dockets, and check the Office of Tax and Revenue for assessments. For agency data, the District's FOIA process and open data catalogs offer broad access.

How to search effectively

Use exact names, prior addresses, and parcel numbers. Try variant spellings, and narrow by date ranges. When a site times out or returns nothing, clear filters and search again. Many databases are free, but certified copies or bulk downloads can carry fees.

Key considerations

• Privacy limits: Vital records and some personal identifiers are restricted by law.
• Record scope: Older files may be archived; ask for index numbers to speed retrieval.
• FOIA basics: Be specific, cite agencies, and note you are seeking any reasonably segregable records.
• Verification: Cross-check details across at least two sources before relying on them.
• Turnaround: Online lookups are instant; formal requests may take days or weeks.