Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about PermitIndex and government permits

General

What is PermitIndex? ▼

PermitIndex is a comprehensive database of government permits, licenses, and transactions across all 50 US states. We aggregate information from official government sources to help you find, understand, and complete permit applications more easily.

Is PermitIndex free to use? ▼

Yes! PermitIndex is completely free to search and use. You can browse all permit information without creating an account or paying any fees. We believe government information should be accessible to everyone.

Do I need to create an account? ▼

No, you don't need an account to search and view permit information. You can browse the entire database anonymously. Accounts are only needed if you want to become a contributor and help verify permit information.

Data & Accuracy

How accurate is the information? ▼

We collect data from official government sources and verified contributors review the information for accuracy. However, government regulations change frequently, so we always recommend verifying critical details (especially costs and deadlines) directly with the relevant government agency before submitting applications.

What if I find incorrect information? ▼

Please contact us immediately! We take data accuracy seriously and will update incorrect information as soon as possible. You can also submit corrections through the feedback form on individual permit pages.

How often is the data updated? ▼

We continuously update our database as government agencies change requirements, fees, or processes. Each permit page shows when the data was last verified. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.

Using PermitIndex

Can I apply for permits through PermitIndex? ▼

No, PermitIndex is an information resource, not an application portal. We provide links to official government websites where you can submit applications. Think of us as your research tool before applying.

What types of permits are included? ▼

We include business licenses, building permits, professional licenses, environmental permits, health permits, trade licenses, and many other government transactions across federal, state, and local levels. Our database is continuously expanding.

Can I search permits by location? ▼

Yes! You can browse permits by state or use our search function to find permits relevant to your location. Each permit page clearly indicates where it applies (federal, state-specific, or local).

What's the difference between "online available" and "API available"? ▼

"Online available" means you can submit the application or get the permit online through the government's website. "API available" means the government provides programmatic access for developers to integrate permit data or submission into their own applications.

Contributing

How can I help improve PermitIndex? ▼

There are several ways to help: submit corrections or updates through our contact form, become a verified contributor to review and add permit information, or share PermitIndex with others who might find it useful.

What is a PermitIndex contributor? ▼

Contributors are experts (permit consultants, government employees, attorneys, etc.) who help verify and maintain permit information. They get credit on permit pages they verify and may earn revenue sharing from future API usage. Learn more on our Contributors page.

Can I request a permit to be added? ▼

Absolutely! Use our contact form and select "Request New Permit" as the subject. Tell us which permit you need information about, and we'll add it to our queue.

Privacy & Legal

Do you track or sell my data? ▼

No. We use privacy-friendly analytics (Plausible) that doesn't use cookies or collect personally identifiable information. We don't track you across the web, and we never sell data. Read our Privacy Policy for details.

Can I use PermitIndex data for my business? ▼

Yes! You're welcome to use PermitIndex for commercial purposes, including research for clients or business planning. Please see our Terms of Service for details. For API access or bulk data, please contact us.

Is PermitIndex affiliated with the government? ▼

No, PermitIndex is an independent service. We are not affiliated with any government agency. We collect publicly available government information and present it in an accessible format.

Technical

Is there an API available? ▼

We're working on a public API for developers to access permit data programmatically. If you're interested in API access, please contact us to join the waitlist.

Can I download the entire database? ▼

Bulk downloads are not currently available for the general public. If you have a specific research or commercial need for the full dataset, please contact us to discuss options.

Still Have Questions?

We're here to help! Reach out and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.