What we collect, and why
Visits
Our page analytics use no cookies and no identifiers of any kind. For each page view they record the page's path, the host name of the site that linked to it, the country your connection comes from, how long the page was visible and whether it was read to the end. Nothing in them can tell one visitor from another, so they need no consent banner.
Searches
When you search a state on this site, the state and the words you typed are sent to our lookup service, which asks the state's records and shows you the answer. That answer is kept for at most 24 hours, stored under the state and the search words, not under who asked, so the next person searching the same words gets it faster. Then it is deleted.
The bot check and the verification token
Before the first search, a bot check runs in your browser to keep automated traffic from overloading state records. It is run by our hosting and security provider, which processes signals from your browser and connection, including your IP address, only to tell people from automated traffic. Once the check passes, our lookup service gives the page a short-lived verification token that lasts 30 minutes and only records that the check passed. The page keeps it while it is open and sends it with each search; nothing is stored in your browser, and the token is gone when you leave or close the page. It is not used to track you on other sites. The check and the token are used only on state pages with live search.
The request form
If you write to us, the form sends what you enter, such as your name, email address and message, to us by email through our form service, after its own bot check. We use it only to answer and act on your request, and keep it only as long as that takes, plus a record that the request was handled.
Server logs
Like every website, our hosting provider processes your IP address and browser details to deliver pages and protect the site from attacks. We do not use them to identify visitors.
What we do not do
- We do not sell or share personal information, and never have.
- We do not run advertising trackers or let third parties collect information about your activity across sites through this one.
- We do not keep a database of businesses or people.
Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control
Because we do not track visitors across sites or sell or share personal information, a Do Not Track or Global Privacy Control signal changes nothing here: you already get that treatment.
Business records shown here
Search results are public records kept by state governments. The contact and corrections page explains how they can be corrected, and how to ask us to clear a result we hold.
Your choices and requests
You can ask what personal information we hold about you, ask us to correct it or ask us to delete it, through the request form. California residents have these rights under California law, and we extend them to everyone.
Children
This site is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect information from them.
Changes
When this policy changes, the new version is published on this page with a new effective date.