Post the request
Use the U.S. mobile app to select the record type and county and add identifying details. Posting is free, and the request stays open for 14 days.
Public-record request guide
How to request a hard-to-find public record.
DocumentXchange lets you describe the public document you need and notify a community of eligible U.S.-based contributors who may be able to locate it. Posting is free, and you decide whether to purchase a submitted record.
What information should a request include?
Start with the jurisdiction and the details most likely to appear on the record. You do not need every field, but precise information helps contributors distinguish the correct document from similarly named records.
- State and county where the record is maintained
- Document or filing type
- Names of people, businesses, grantors, grantees, plaintiffs, or defendants
- Property address or parcel number
- Case number, docket number, instrument number, or document number
- Approximate filing, recording, hearing, or transaction date
Avoid placing Social Security numbers, complete financial-account numbers, medical information, or other unnecessary sensitive information in a public request.
Common public documents people request
Property and land records
Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, easements, surveys, plat maps, parcel records, building permits, and property-transfer records.
Court and legal records
Civil and criminal filings, complaints, judgments, docket entries, probate filings, guardianship records, affidavits, and name-change orders, subject to access and distribution rules.
Vital, family, and business records
Marriage licenses, divorce decrees, certificates available as public records, UCC filings, incorporation records, DBA filings, and other eligible government filings.
How a DocumentXchange request works
A contributor responds
An eligible community member locates and uploads the complete requested record. Automated checks and administrator review help evaluate the submission.
Review and decide
You receive a notification and can inspect the listing, extracted metadata, page count, and protected preview before choosing whether to buy.
Can anyone fulfill a request and earn?
Any eligible U.S.-based community member who can lawfully obtain and distribute the requested public record may fulfill a request in the mobile app. The contributor uploads one complete document as a separate listing. If it is approved and purchased, the contributor can earn the royalty displayed in the app. Stripe identity, U.S. account, address, and payout verification are required before contributing.
Frequently asked questions
Does posting a request cost money?
No. Posting is free. You pay only if a submitted document is available and you choose to purchase it.
How long does a request stay open?
Requests remain open for 14 days unless completed sooner.
Can I request a certified copy?
DocumentXchange does not certify records. If you need an official or certified copy, contact the government office responsible for the record.
Are all government records public?
No. Access varies by record type and jurisdiction, and some records are confidential, sealed, restricted, or available only to authorized people. Contributors must follow applicable law and marketplace rules.