References & Resources
This page lists commonly used public, commercial, and professional resources relevant to process serving, skip tracing, and other field-based legal work.
Inclusion here does not imply endorsement, accuracy, or suitability for any specific purpose. Availability, access, legality, and appropriate use vary by jurisdiction. Readers are responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards.
This list is provided as a reference point, not as instruction on how to use any specific resource.
Courts & Case Information
Resources used to verify cases, parties, venues, and procedural context.
PACER – Federal Court Records
https://pacer.uscourts.gov
National Center for State Courts – State Court Websites Directory
https://www.ncsc.org/information-and-resources/state-court-websites
Justia – State and Federal Case Law (read-only access)
https://law.justia.com
Public Records & Government Sources
Foundational records commonly referenced for verification and context.
NETR Online – Public Records Directory (links to county-level sources)
https://www.netronline.com
US Public Records Directory
https://publicrecords.netronline.com
National Association of Secretaries of State – Business Services Portal
https://www.nass.org/business-services
Property & Address Records
Resources commonly used to confirm address history, ownership, and location context.
County Assessor and Recorder Offices
(Accessed through county government websites or via NETR Online)
https://www.netronline.com
USPS Address and ZIP Code Lookup
https://tools.usps.com/zip-code-lookup.htm
Mapping & Geographic Context
Used for planning, verification, and situational awareness.
Google Maps
https://maps.google.com
US Census Bureau – TIGER/Line Geographic Data
https://www.census.gov/geographies/mapping-files/time-series/geo/tiger-line-file.html
County GIS Systems
(Usually accessed through county assessor or planning departments)
Business & Entity Research
Used to identify businesses, registered agents, and statutory addresses.
Secretary of State Business Search Portals
https://www.nass.org/business-services
OpenCorporates – Global Corporate Database
https://opencorporates.com
Professional Research Databases
Commercial platforms commonly used by attorneys, investigators, and professional servers.
Access typically requires credentials, contracts, and lawful purpose.
LexisNexis
https://www.lexisnexis.com
Thomson Reuters CLEAR
https://legal.thomsonreuters.com/en/products/clear-investigation-software
TransUnion TLOxp
https://www.transunion.com/product/tloxp
IRBsearch
https://www.irbsearch.com
Professional Associations & Standards
Organizations related to professional practice, education, and industry norms.
National Association of Professional Process Servers (NAPPS)
https://napps.org
National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI)
https://www.nalia.org
National Council of Investigation & Security Services (NCISS)
https://www.nciss.org
Legal Reference & Education
General legal reference material and statute access.
Cornell Law School – Legal Information Institute
https://www.law.cornell.edu
FindLaw – Legal Reference Library
https://www.findlaw.com
Books & Field Guides
Experience-based reference material focused on documentation, judgment, and defensible field practices.
Between the Knock and the Record
https://a.co/d/d1zkgie
The Art of Skip Tracing
https://a.co/d/5l3uopT
Important Note
This page is provided for informational purposes only.
Laws governing access to records, data use, privacy, and professional conduct vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Readers are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards.