Social services are some of the most helpful programs in each state because they play an important role in caring for its people. For this reason, social services tend to help the poor, children, and other people who need assistance; many state programs even help veterans, the elderly, and people who struggle with addiction.
While the Department of Social Services (DSS) is essential in most states, each state has its own systems, programs, and, of course, records. Depending on what you’re searching for, you may even want to view these records to learn more about a specific program or situation.
So, are DSS cases public records? While DSS records tend to be kept confidential, that’s only part of the story, so read on to find all the answers you need.
What is the DSS?
DSS can refer to many things, but in the context of public records, you’re likely curious about records for social services. The DSS, also known as the Department of Social Services, is a unique state-run organization that provides programs and relief for families that need it. Most states will have state-wide organizations like the Connecticut Department of Social Services that fund several programs that help children, families, the poor, and the elderly at the state level.
On the other hand, some states may have state-run organizations along with county-level organizations, like New York, which has separate programs for each county. A great example of this is New York City’s Department of Social Services, which handles things like rental assistance, disability access, child support services, and much more. Therefore, before you consider looking for DSS cases in public records, make sure you’re looking in the right places.
Overall, the Department of Social Services refers to an organization that’s offered at the state or county level that provides assistance for people who need it, usually people who can’t help themselves.
What Else Can DSS Refer To?
If you landed here, there’s a good chance that you’re trying to find records about social services cases. That said, DSS doesn’t always refer to the Department of Social Services, and some other uses for the abbreviation include Decision Support Systems and Diplomatic Security Services.
While Diplomatic Security Services is another branch of the government, decision support systems function as a third party; it’s not to have some variation, but to make sure you’re searching for the right records to avoid wasting any time.
DSS can also refer to a lot of things, ranging from internal business documents to other government agencies.
Are DSS Cases Public Records?
In most cases, DSS cases are not public records. This is because the Department of Social Services in most states keeps its records confidential to protect the identities of people involved. For example, Child Protective Services (CPS) tends to keep its records private when dealing with kids. This protects both the victims and the perpetrators, especially if the children are young and can’t defend themselves otherwise.
The only situations where you may find DSS records are if you’re using one of our people search tools or if information about the DSS case was brought to court and charges filed.
How to Find DSS Records
DSS records aren’t always public, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find information about them. All you need are the right tools and a little bit of help along the way. That said, if DSS cases are confidential, you won’t be able to view anything about them, so keep that in mind before you get started. Learn more about how to find DSS records below.
1. PublicRecord.com
The best way to find DSS records is to use one of our people search tools. Our people search tools make the process of finding DSS records a breeze and prevent you from wasting time checking multiple databases or visiting offices in person. Plus, all you need is someone’s name to get started. In fact, even if you only have an address or phone number, you can still find DSS case records if they’re available.
To use our people search tool, all you need to do is enter the information you have. From there, begin the search and provide any necessary context to narrow the results down. Once you find the right person, you can open the full report, which contains all available public records.
While this includes DSS cases’ information (if available), it also helps you find:
- Criminal records
- Civil court records
- Marriage and divorce records
- Jail records
- Education history
- Work history
- Full name
- Address
- Phone number
- Email address
- Business information
The best part is that this is only some of what you can find when you run a search with PublicRecord.com, so depending on the person, you may find some or all of this information.
2. Check Online
Another way to find DSS records is to check online. If you’re looking for a case that went to court, you can run a Google search to see if the information is indexed and available. While Google is great, it can be a bit broad at times, so you may want to leverage Advanced Search instead to avoid any problems.
This method of search allows you to add more keywords to further narrow the results. Google Lens is another route you can take, which is helpful if you have an image of the people or business involved in a DSS case. It may also be possible to use other search engines or check state and county databases for more information.
While we like Google, it’s only useful for high-profile cases or cases that went to court and have a lot of information available about them. Thankfully, you can use one of our search tools to find people online with ease.
3. Contact the Specific Agency Responsible for the Records
Every state has a different agency that’s responsible for keeping DSS records, even if they’re kept confidential. You’ll need to figure out which agencies house the information in your state, then you can check online, call them, or visit them in person. Most DSS records are held by a state or county’s Department of Social Services, so it’s best to start there.
We recommend going in person only if you have confirmation that the records are available, which you can get by calling, emailing, or using one of our people search tools to see if the records are even there.
4. Hire a Private Investigator
Unfortunately, sometimes online tools won’t cut it when you’re searching for DSS records, and you may have to bring in some backup; that’s exactly what a private investigator (PI) can offer. When you hire a PI, you have to pay them a fee, sure, but it’s often worth the money if they bring you results. Plus, PIs may be able to follow people or gather more information about a DSS case for you, especially if you’re unsure about the issue being resolved.
PIs also tend to be quick and easy to work with, so you don’t have to worry about going crazy to find information about the case. That said, why start paying $50 to $100 per hour if you don’t have to? Start with one of our people search tools and avoid spending a lot of money until you have.
5. Visit the Courthouse Where the Case Went to Trial
Last but not least, you can visit the courthouse where the case went to trial. If a DSS case went to trial, there’s a good chance that there’s a record of it. This can happen during custody battles, lawsuits, and other similar civil cases. In fact, sometimes DSS cases can escalate to criminal cases if embezzlement and other serious crimes are involved.
While visiting courts is the best way to view comprehensive information about a DSS case, finding the right court can be a nightmare and a huge waste of time. The good news is that you can use our people search tools to discover if there is a DSS case you can look for, and the courthouse where the case was held.
Find DSS Records Today!
Not all DSS records are public, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find information about them. With the right tools, you’ll have no issues finding information about DSS cases that aren’t confidential. What’s more, we can even point you in the direction with our people search tools that can locate the databases where this information is being stored and then provide it for you in a comprehensive full report.
These are only a few examples of why you should always find DSS records with PublicRecord.com. Still, you also have other options, so don’t give up if you fail to find what you’re looking for.
