BRB Publications Inc

What BRB Publications Inc does

BRB Publications, LLC is a privately-held Waxahachie, Texas-based subscription publisher founded in 1988 that operates as the self-described "nation's premier publisher" of reference databases used by professionals to locate and access U.S. public records. The company's core product, the Public Record Research System (PRRS), is a web-based subscription database covering 28,000+ government agencies and institutions across county, state, and federal levels — including 12,000+ county/local courts, federal courts, 8,407 occupational licensing boards, recorder/assessor offices, accredited colleges and universities, and a county locator mapping 159,000+ ZIP codes to the correct county. Its second flagship product, Criminal Record Sources (CRS), adds a unique Equivalency Matrix that rates the accuracy of state online judicial systems against on-site searches on a 1-to-5 scale. The product portfolio is sold via a three-tier bundle structure (Professional $269/year, Enterprise $349/year, Enterprise Premium $649/year) plus à-la-carte modules (CRS $169.95, CRA Help Desk State Rules Register $299.95/$399.95 HR version, MVR Access & Decoder $79.95, PI Licensing Guide $49.95), with annual and monthly billing options.

Name

BRB Publications Inc

Legal name

BRB Publications, LLC

Website

https://brbpublications.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BRB Publications is a Texas-based subscription publisher, founded in 1988, that sells online reference databases covering 28,000+ U.S. government agencies to background screeners, court researchers, PIs, attorneys, insurers, and fleet managers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Records Research Databases

NAICS

Directory and Mailing List Publishers (513140), Book Publishers (51313), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (519)

SIC

Miscellaneous Publishing (2741), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

E-book Subscription & Bundling Services (MPAJAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Government, Public Policy & Regulatory Reference (Public Administration, Regulatory Guidance) (EDAGAGAK)

Keywords

• Public records research
• Background screening databases
• Criminal record sources
• Motor vehicle records
• Compliance reference publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Waxahachie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Subscription Access - Public Record Research System (PRRS): Annual or monthly subscription providing unlimited access to PRRS — a comprehensive database covering 28,000+ government agencies. Subscribers share one login and can have two users logged in simultaneously. Enterprise accounts with additional users available.
2. Subscription Access - Criminal Record Sources (CRS): Annual subscription at $169.95 providing unlimited access to criminal record source information, with two simultaneous user logins. Enterprise accounts available with additional user programs.
3. Subscription Access - CRA Help Desk: Annual subscription to the State Rules Register providing compliance guidance on state laws affecting consumer reporting agencies. Multiple pricing tiers: $299.95 for the CRA version, $399.95 for the HR client-facing version.
4. Subscription Access - MVR Access and Decoder Digest: Annual or monthly subscription providing comprehensive DMV regulation information, state conviction code tables, and motor vehicle record access procedures across all 50 states.
5. Subscription Access - PI Licensing Guide: Annual subscription at $49.95 to an online guide explaining state PI licensing laws and when CRAs need a PI license. Includes email alerts on law changes.
6. Bundle Subscriptions: Three tiered subscription bundles: Professional ($269 annual / $24.95 monthly), Enterprise ($349 annual), Enterprise Premium ($649 annual). Bundles combine multiple databases and user seats.
7. Ala Carte Database Subscriptions: Individual databases available for separate annual or monthly subscription: County Courts ($129.95/$14.95), County Recorders ($49.95/$9.95), State Agencies and Occupational Licensing Boards ($49.95/$9.95), Federal Courts ($39.95/$9.95), Colleges and Universities ($49.95/$9.95), County Locator ($49.95/$9.95).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

BRB Publications operates subscription-based web databases and reference publications that provide in-depth metadata on how to locate and access public records from 28,000+ U.S. government agencies at the county, state, and federal levels. Its flagship products—the Public Record Research System (PRRS), Criminal Record Sources (CRS), MVR Access & Decoder Digest, CRA Help Desk, and related directories—translate record access policies, procedures, fees, turnaround times, restrictions, and online-vs-onsite equivalency into searchable, productivity-oriented resources.

Product overview

BRB Publications operates a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on the Public Record Research System (PRRS) as the core product, supplemented by the Criminal Record Sources (CRS) database and multiple specialized databases. The PRRS provides comprehensive access to 28,000+ government agencies through seven integrated databases covering county/local courts, federal courts, state agencies, recorder/assessor offices, occupational licensing boards, colleges/universities, and a county locator tool. Additional modules include CRA compliance tools (State Rules Register in CRA and HR versions, PI Licensing Guide, CRA Compliance Navigator), the MVR Access & Decoder Digest for motor vehicle records, and a National Directory of onsite record retrievers. Subscription bundles (Professional, Enterprise, Enterprise Premium) provide tiered access combining multiple databases, while individual databases are available on an a la carte basis with annual or monthly subscriptions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PRRS – Public Record Research System: Comprehensive subscription database providing access to public records from 28,000+ government agencies and institutions at county, state, and federal levels.
• CRS – Criminal Record Sources
• PRRN – Public Record Retriever Network
• CRA Help Desk
• MVR Access and Decoder Digest

Products and services

• Public Record Research System (PRRS) Flagship subscription database providing access to public records from 28,000+ government agencies at county, state, and federal levels, with in-depth metadata on access methods, fees, restrictions, turnaround times, identifiers on records, and search tips. Targets background screeners, court researchers, government, HR, investigators, and attorneys.
• Criminal Record Sources (CRS) Authoritative national reference for U.S. criminal record access that identifies WHERE criminal records are located, HOW they can be directly accessed, and ACCURACY/VALUE assessments. Includes an Equivalency Matrix rating state judicial/repository online systems on a 1–5 scale versus on-site search, plus links to 100+ federal search sites, sanctions, and watch lists.
• MVR Access & Decoder Digest Comprehensive reference covering DMV regulations, state conviction code tables, and motor vehicle record access (driver and vehicle) procedures in all 50 states. Translates conviction and withdrawal codes/abbreviations on driving records and informs on free online DL status checks, employer/insurer monitoring programs, and access fees.
• CRA Help Desk State Rules Register Online guide to state laws impacting Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) and their clients (hiring managers and landlords). Authored by employment law attorney Larry Henry, Esq., includes single-state reports, multi-state matrix tables, a 39-category restriction matrix, FCRA-related restrictions, ban-the-box legislation, and email alerts when laws change.
• HR Version of State Rules Register Client-facing version of the State Rules Register designed for CRAs to embed on their websites, informing hiring managers and landlords about state restrictions on employers, including ban-the-box laws and FCRA compliance considerations.
• CRA Help Desk Private Investigator Licensing Guide Online guide explaining state Private Investigator licensing laws and when CRAs need a PI license. Includes per-state reports and email alerts on law changes.
• National Directory of Local Onsite Record Retrievers and Record Vendors Searchable database of 2,200+ local record retrievers searchable by county/parish/city and by type of public record (court records, recorded documents, federal courts, vital records), plus profiles of online gateways, data aggregators, national/regional search firms, pre-employment and tenant screening firms.
• County and Local Courts Database Database covering 12,000+ county and local courts with analysis of online judicial systems, public access terminal availability, and access methods for criminal, civil, probate, and other court records.
• Local Recorder and Assessor Offices Database Database identifying which recorder and assessor offices provide online document images versus which require on-site retrieval, with direct phone lines to agencies.
• State Agencies and Occupational Licensing Boards Database Database covering state agencies with public records and 8,407 occupational licensing boards, including online access options, permit purchases, and contact information for credential lookups.
• Federal Courts and Record Centers Database Database covering federal court locations by county, online records access, Multi-Voice Case Information Systems, Electronic Case Files, Federal Record Centers, and EDGAR.
• Accredited Colleges and Universities Database Database for verifying degrees including Federal School Numbers, degree levels, National Student Clearinghouse affiliations, and listing of 900+ diploma mills and 1,000+ closed schools.
• The Ultimate County Locator & Adjoining County Search County locator identifying correct county locations for 159,000+ ZIP code and place/city name combinations, including 9,000+ ZIPs that cross county lines, with adjoining county population figures and direct phone lines to agencies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 28,000+ government agencies and institutions covered in PRRS
• +4 more outcomes

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Public Record Retriever Network (PRRN)coreOthersBRB Publications manages the Public Record Retriever Network (PRRN), the largest trade organization representing public record research professionals in the U.S. With nearly 300 members in 48 states, PRRN members are experts at searching and retrieving public records from local government agencies. BRB uses PRRN as its primary community ecosystem and marketing channel. PRRN members are on-site researchers who perform name searches and document retrieval in person at government agencies. The association sets standards of professional conduct and promotes marketing and sales best practices within the industry. PRRN also provides members a platform to market their services.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• LexisNexis: LexisNexis is a major data aggregator providing public records, background screening data, and legal research. While much larger and broader in scope than BRB, it operates in overlapping categories of public records and consumer reporting information, making it a comparable incumbent.
• TransUnion: TransUnion is a major credit reporting agency and consumer reporting company. Its background screening arm overlaps with BRB's CRA customer base, and the company also maintains public records data products, positioning it as a broader incumbent in adjacent information services.
• Thomson Reuters Westlaw: Westlaw is the dominant legal research platform providing access to case law, court records, and regulatory information. It overlaps with BRB's federal courts and legal research offerings at a much larger scale, serving attorneys and legal professionals.

Direct peers

• HireRight: HireRight is a major background screening company that serves as a direct customer of BRB and operates in the same screening services market. Both companies serve employer screening needs with public records data, though HireRight offers end-to-end screening while BRB provides research tools to firms like HireRight.
• Sterling: Sterling is a leading background screening company providing employment background checks. Like HireRight, Sterling is both a potential customer of BRB's data and a direct peer serving the same screening market with overlapping public records capabilities.
• Accurate Background: Accurate Background is a background screening provider serving employers with public records research. The company is comparable to BRB as both serve the CRA market, though from different positions - one as a screening provider and one as a research infrastructure supplier.
• Melissa Data: Melissa Data (Melissa) provides reference data quality, identity verification, and address verification services. It is comparable to BRB as both publish curated reference data products serving compliance and verification needs across multiple industries.
• PACER: PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) provides direct federal court document access for a fee. BRB's Federal Courts Database helps users navigate PACER and related federal record systems, making PACER a primary underlying resource and adjacent peer.

Emerging players

• PeopleFinders: PeopleFinders is a public records search service providing people search and background check capabilities to consumers and businesses. It overlaps with BRB's customer segments in PIs and general public records research, though it focuses more on consumer-facing search.

Others

• Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA): PBSA is the industry trade association for background screening firms. BRB lists PBSA as a partner and is referenced as a resource by PBSA members. While not a commercial peer, PBSA represents the ecosystem in which BRB operates and competes for industry mindshare.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/brb-publications-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BRB Publications Inc