How to Get Paid For Doing Courthouse Research

Courthouse research is another very flexible job you can do outside of the home mostly on your own time. While the work is nothing alike, I do sort of throw this kind of work into the same category as merchandising when it comes to working from home.

This is because while the work isn't done in the home, you are mostly free to pick your own hours, and this makes it an attractive option.

While I have done courthouse research for the company I used to work for, I have never done it for any place that specialized in just that. So, I've had to do a little digging to come up with this info for you.

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What does a courthouse researcher do?

Basically, you visit courthouses in your area or surrounding areas and collect information from the public records there to give to whatever research company you are working for. The companies need different info for different reasons, so you won't always be looking for the same types of records.

You don't necessarily need any college degree or special skills to do courthouse research, and there are many companies that will hire you whether you've ever done this type of work or not.

If you are a beginner, they will help you learn to get started. However, there are some companies that may prefer to hire experienced researchers.

Many courthouses still use older systems or physical books, so you will often be standing, searching manually, and entering data into spreadsheets or online portals.

How much does courthouse research pay?

Courthouse research pay varies a lot depending on the company, the type of records you pull, and how fast you work. Most companies pay per record or per assignment, so your income depends on your speed and the courthouse’s system.

Beginners often earn the equivalent of $7 to $9 an hour while learning, but experienced researchers who work efficiently can sometimes make $15 to $20 or more per hour.

If you've been researching work at home jobs in search of a full-time income, this probably won't give you that. Instead, it's best to consider this supplemental income since you may not know when work is available to do.

Most courthouse research companies hire you as an independent contractor.

How do you search for the records?

Again this may depend on the courthouse. Some courthouses keep records in large, heavy books while others may have everything on computer. And then some courthouses may have their records in both places.

There is nothing to keep you from searching through the records since it is public information. As long as you follow the courthouse’s guidelines, you should always be allowed to search public records.

If you don't know where they are, you should of course ask someone at the courthouse. After you've done the work for a while, you'll know where to go and things won't seem so intimidating.

You will also likely build up your searching speed as you discover the most efficient ways to search for records. Building up speed could increase your hourly pay depending on who you are working for.

Do you visit different courthouses?

Many people visit courthouses in their county but also in surrounding counties, and doing this may keep you in steady work to do.

However, if you are traveling a good distance away from your home, you need to keep in mind that you are probably spending additional money on gas. This could make a trip to a neighboring courthouse not worthwhile if it is fairly far away and you're not getting reimbursed for gas mileage.

Most researchers say they try to group trips together or plan routes that allow them to visit multiple courthouses in one day to save on travel costs.

Something else you can do if you need more work to keep you busy is apply with several different companies that hire for court research.

Can you bring your kids to the courthouse while you do your research?

Technically you can, but you have to realize that that may not be the best idea. Doing courthouse research isn't just a quick trip in and out of the building — it's work. You may end up being there, digging through files, for several hours.

Are your kids going to be able to entertain themselves for that long? Are the people working at the courthouse going to be OK if your children become extremely bored and start disturbing the peace there as a result? Likely not.

Some courthouses have security policies that restrict strollers, large bags, or personal items, which can also make bringing kids difficult.

So it may be best to do your research on a day when you know you will be kid-free.

Places to apply

If you are ready to get started as a courthouse researcher, there are several legitimate companies that hire independent contractors for this type of work.

Keep in mind that many of these companies do not always have an active hiring page. Some only recruit when they need coverage in a specific county, so it can be helpful to contact them directly to ask about openings in your area.

Below are some reputable companies to consider.

Sunlark Research

Sunlark hires courthouse researchers in many states and often accepts beginners. They pay per record or assignment, and communication is known to be steady. They do not always have a public hiring page, so reaching out directly can be the best way to check for openings.

IT Boss Research

IT Boss regularly recruits independent contractors to pull public records from local courthouses. They offer training and claim most researchers earn the equivalent of **10 to 25 dollars per hour**, depending on speed and the courthouse systems.

Information Technologies

Information Technologies hires nationwide for court research and data collection. Pay is based on the number of records collected, which means faster researchers tend to earn more. Their hiring page is sometimes inactive, so contacting them directly is recommended.

Convergence Research

Convergence Research is a long-standing company that contracts courthouse researchers across the country. They are known for being beginner-friendly. Work availability depends on the county, and openings may not always appear online.

Wolfgang Research

Wolfgang provides free training and pays per valid record collected. They may not post open positions consistently, so checking their site or emailing to ask about current needs is often the best approach.

Data Research Services

DRS hires independent researchers to pull criminal and civil court records. They offer guidance for new contractors and pay per completed record. Their hiring availability can change quickly, so direct contact is sometimes required.