Today we received several internal research guides from the Department of Justice (DOJ) in response to a DOJ FOIA request we submitted in May 2018. These documents come from the DOJ Libraries and outline how agency staff conduct public records research.
📂 Download the Guides
Public Records Guide – A 10-page list of tools to find personal and public information
Court Dockets Guide – Tools for accessing court records and filings
Asset Searching Guide – Methods for locating an individual’s assets
Corporation Records Guide – Where to find business and corporate filings
Professional Licensure Guide – Resources to verify licensure and credentials
About These DOJ FOIA Records
The DOJ Libraries are based in Washington, D.C., and house both physical and digital materials. These guides were not previously available to the public. We obtained them through a multi-year effort to make DOJ internal resources more accessible.
These tools show how DOJ personnel conduct investigations and verify records across a range of categories, including corporations, court cases, licenses, and assets. We’re sharing them here to assist researchers, attorneys, and journalists who may find them useful.