Search Databases
NARA
The NARA is the National Archives and Record Administration is where all of the important information for the country is stored. Anyone can search database records to find out a great deal about their ancestry and about the historical documents and photos of the country’s history. Items such as the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and the Constitution can all be found here. This is also where pertinent military information can be found such as the records from all of the wars and political upheavals that the country has gone through. Searches can be conducted on immigration as well as freed slave documents. Any important document having to do with the history of the country are going to be found here. Continue reading
PACER
The PACER Search Databases offer computerized file access for those who are searching for many different types of court filings that have been made since 2001. The most common type of PACER court database search is for bankruptcy information. Anyone who has filed a bankruptcy case since this time can use this search database to get all of the information on it. Those who have a pending action can also use this method to get updates on their case to see what the status is of it. This is going to be important when there are creditors who need to know the status of a client’s bankruptcy and when the case is going to be decided. Attorneys can also use this database to find out what actions the courts have taken for their clients. This is not a free service but the fees are minimal and never cost more than ten dollars per case. Continue reading
VCIS
VCIS is an acronym for Voice Case Information System and offers search databases via the telephone as opposed to using a computer. There are some people who are not computer literate who still need to access their cases whether prior cases or cases that have been recently filed. Any touch tone phone can be used to access these free people search databases to see where the case is at currently or when the case was closed and what the outcome was. These records go back further than the others as the VCIS was set up before the internet was established as a public medium. The records can be accessed from 1988 to current filings that are still pending. The information on current files is updated daily so those who have a pending case can find out the status daily. There is no charge for searching this database but any files prior to 1988 are going to need be found in the courts where the proceedings took place. Continue reading