About OpenDataUSA

OpenDataUSA was founded with a simple but ambitious goal: to bring the power of big data and modern search technology to the general public. Every day, billions of data points sit in government databases, public registries, and open records systems across the United States. This information belongs to the public, but accessing it has traditionally required navigating dozens of different websites, filing formal requests, or paying expensive data brokers.

We built OpenDataUSA to change that. Our platform aggregates publicly available information from hundreds of sources into a single, fast, and free search engine. Whether you are trying to reconnect with a long-lost family member, verify the credentials of a contractor, research property ownership in your neighborhood, or simply learn more about the public data landscape, OpenDataUSA provides the tools you need without charging a dime.

We believe that public information should be publicly accessible. When government agencies collect data using taxpayer dollars and make it available under open records laws, that data should be easy for ordinary citizens to find and use. Our mission is to democratize access to this information through technology.

Transparency about where our data comes from is central to how we operate. OpenDataUSA aggregates information exclusively from publicly available sources. We do not purchase private data, scrape social media accounts, or access any non-public databases. Our data sources fall into several categories:

• Federal Government Databases: Including the Federal Election Commission (FEC) campaign contribution data, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) patent records, Small Business Administration PPP loan data, and White House visitor logs.
• State Government Records: Including voter registration files (where publicly available under state law), state business filing databases, professional licensing board records, and state payroll/government employment data.
• County & Municipal Records: Including property assessor data, deed and title records, building permit filings, and other locally maintained public records.
• Public Directories & Registries: Including healthcare provider registries (NPI/NPPES), realtor license databases, and other professional directories maintained by regulatory bodies.

For a detailed breakdown of every data category we index, visit our Data Sources page. We update our data on a rolling basis as new public records become available, though update frequency varies by source. Some federal datasets are updated quarterly, while others may be updated annually.

It is important to understand that we aggregate data as-is from its original sources. We do not verify, fact-check, or guarantee the accuracy of any information. Errors in original government databases will be reflected in our search results. Users should always independently verify information obtained through our platform before relying on it for any purpose.

While we believe in the public's right to access public information, we also recognize that individuals have legitimate privacy concerns. We take several steps to balance transparency with privacy:

• Free Opt-Out System: Anyone can request removal of their information from our search results at no cost through our opt-out page. We process all removal requests within 48 hours.
• No Sensitive Data: We do not display Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, medical records, or any information that is not already part of the public record.
• FCRA Compliance: OpenDataUSA is not a consumer reporting agency. We explicitly prohibit the use of our data for employment screening, tenant screening, credit decisions, or any purpose covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
• Data Minimization: We only index information that serves a legitimate public interest purpose and is already available through government open-records channels.

For complete details on how we handle personal information, please read our Privacy Policy.