District of Columbia's court, criminal, vital, property, voter, and licensing records are maintained by D.C. government agencies. Use the tabs to filter by record type, or jump directly to any source.
- Courts: The D.C. Court of Appeals sits at the top of the system; trial-court business is handled by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Most courts publish dockets and case lookups online.
- Criminal history: The state's criminal-history repository handles official background checks. Fees and procedures are set by the state agency — see the linked official source.
- Vital records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are issued by the DC Health Vital Records Division. Marriage records are filed with the Marriage Bureau of the D.C. Superior Court.
- Property & recorded documents: Maintained by the D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue (Real Property) and the D.C. Recorder of Deeds.
- Business filings: The Secretary of State (or equivalent) operates the official business-entity search.
Vital Records Databases
4 official District of Columbia vital records sources.
Vital Records
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free statewide criminal search in District of Columbia?▼
District of Columbia's official criminal-history repository is operated by the state law-enforcement agency. Free public access to a complete criminal history is generally not available; an official background check typically requires fingerprints and a fee. Court records can be searched at no cost through the D.C. Courts case lookup.
How do I search District of Columbia court cases?▼
District of Columbia's court system is headed by the D.C. Court of Appeals. Trial-court business is handled by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, which includes Civil, Criminal, Family Court, Probate, and Tax divisions. Many D.C. courts publish docket searches and case lookups online — see the Court Records tab above for direct links.
Where do I search District of Columbia business entities?▼
The District of Columbia Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) operates the official business-entity search. You can typically search corporations, LLCs, LPs, and other registered entities by name or registration number. See the Licenses or Business tab above.
What is the difference between Assessor and Recorder in District of Columbia?▼
The D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) determines property values for tax purposes. The D.C. Recorder of Deeds records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. See the Property Records tab above for direct links.
How do I obtain a District of Columbia birth or death certificate?▼
District of Columbia vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates) are issued by the DC Health Vital Records Division. Marriage records are issued by the Marriage Bureau of the D.C. Superior Court. Fees and ID requirements are set by the issuing agency.
Are District of Columbia property records free to search?▼
D.C. property and recorded-document searches are free for basic information through OTR Real Property and the D.C. Recorder of Deeds. Certified copies of deeds typically have a per-page fee. Direct links are in the Property Records tab above.
How do I check a District of Columbia sex offender?▼
The District of Columbia sex offender registry is maintained by the state law-enforcement agency under the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act. The registry is searchable by name, ZIP code, or address.