Public records research

Background check guidance with government data context.

Explore public-records information, state-level crime trends, NICS background check data, incarceration statistics, and practical research guides in one clean reference hub.

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50+state and district guides
FBI + NICSpublic data summaries and trend charts
FCRA awareinformational use only, with clear limitations

U.S. Summary Statistics

National totals aggregated from FBI UCR crime data, NICS firearm background checks, and Vera Institute incarceration figures.

Latest Year Violent Offenses (All States)
1,248,965
Latest Year NICS Background Checks
55,783,644
Total Incarcerated (Latest Reported)
679,350
U.S. Population
335,082,584
Prison Population (National)
585,921
Jail Population (National)
446,963

National Crime Trend (2014–2023)

National Firearm Background Checks (NICS)

National Incarceration Trend (2015–2024)

Violent & Property Offenses by Type (Latest Year)

States with Highest Violent Crime Rates

NICS counts represent background checks initiated, not firearm sales. Crime totals sum reported state-level offenses.

What You Can Research

Use these guides to understand common public-record categories and where official source records may live.

  • Criminal and court recordsCharges, convictions, filings, judgments, and case dockets.
  • Property and asset recordsDeeds, mortgages, tax assessments, and ownership history.
  • Vital record indexesMarriage, divorce, birth, and death record references where public.
  • Address and contact historyPublicly available directory-style information and historical traces.
  • Financial public filingsBankruptcies, liens, civil judgments, and related court records.

Official Government Resources

Authoritative federal and national portals for background checks, public records, and criminal justice data.

FBI — National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)The federal system used by licensed firearm dealers to conduct background checks on purchasers. FBI Crime Data Explorer (CDE)Official FBI portal for national and state-level crime statistics, UCR data, and trend analysis. PACER — Federal Court RecordsPublic Access to Court Electronic Records for U.S. District, Appellate, and Bankruptcy court case information. National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW)DOJ-operated site linking all 50 states' sex offender registries in a single national search. USA.gov — Public Records GuideFederal guide to locating vital, court, property, and other public records at the state and local level. Vera Institute of Justice — Incarceration DataResearch and state-level incarceration trend data used as a source on this site.

Links open official government or nonpartisan research websites in a new tab. This site has no affiliation with any agency listed above.

Browse by State

Select a state for crime trend charts, NICS background check data, incarceration statistics, and public records information.