Record Search vs. Document Request

A record search is not the same as a document request. At eVerify.com, we can help you understand the difference between a record search and a document request today so that you can get what you need by becoming more informed.

Sometimes record searches are called name searches and there is a difference in this and the document request. For example, people are often confused to find that a name search will tell them whether or not a specific document exists but it will not actually give them that document.

This is because there is a big difference between searching an index looking for a specific document in existence and actually requesting the document itself. The main different in record searches and document requests is that one just tells you if the record exists and the other will actually allow you to view the document or obtain a copy of it.

Depending on the type of document that you are trying to uncover, there are some databases that allow you to view them online. But some court records cannot be viewed online such as real estate recordings or court records. For these, they will let you know if they exist but you will have to take other methods to obtain them and view them.

Document Requests

Once you know that data exists for something you have searched on, you just need to know how to find it. When you are requesting a specific document, there are certain things that you will need to know. If you know the document number already, this can greatly help you in finding what you seek.

When it comes to requesting a specific document, there are certain things you need to know. Just like any type of record search, it can benefit you to have identifiers first. You want to be sure you’re finding the documents of the right person.

You can use a government website to search for a specific document if you already know what it is. Knowing the document number can make it a lot easier to get things done. What also makes it easier is to know the identifiers.

There are actually two main purposes of the identifiers. For one, they are used to help determine if the record you find is really about the subject you are looking for. You can look at how they are indexed. Sometimes it is by name or last night or by date of birth or even social security number.

Identifiers also serve as a type of safeguard for the people involved. Sometimes people will share a same name and you need to be sure the person with the record is in fact, the same person who you are requesting records on. Extra identifiers can help you do that. A middle initial is one way to help identify someone in a record and make sure it’s really who you want records on. Continue reading →

Record Searches

Now when it comes to a record search, one of the most common is the name search. When you know the name of an individual, you can do a name search to find out if they have a criminal record or if they have certain assets or real estate ownership. In some cases, you can also get info about their employment history, rental history or properties owned.

These searches may not always tell you the specifics of the results but they will tell you if records exist. For example, there may be records that the person was involved in a court case but it may not tell you the specifics of the court, how they were involved or what was determined. For this, you would need a document request.

When it comes to name searching, you will need to know certain information about the person. Name searching is not always as easy as you might think it sounds. You will need to have what is referred to as personal identifiers.

This is specific information about the person that can be used to search for them. Certain records may not have a middle initial or a birth date for the person. The more information you have, the easier it will be to perform a search on someone and the more likely you will be to get results for your search. Continue reading →