Is there anyway to view public records without actually visiting the county in which they are found?

I live in Kentucky and I was wondering if there was a way to view public records in California, without me having to actually to drive/fly there. By public records I mean, I was trying to find out about my half-brother who lives out there and I dont know much about him. My dad lost almost all contact with him and his mother after they left from here and I was trying to find them.Is there anyway to view public records without actually visiting the county in which they are found?
It really depends on the State you are trying to get information from and the specific county in that State. Some larger counties have online access to public records. Put in a call to the county you are interested in and see whether they offer any services online. Some offer the ability to access deeds, mortgages and tax records.Is there anyway to view public records without actually visiting the county in which they are found?
Write and send an authority for a relative or friend in California to verify public records in your behalf.Is there anyway to view public records without actually visiting the county in which they are found?
Many states, due to their population and the vast amount of time it takes, to accumulate and store this data, acquire the services of private companies to do this ardous task and therefore being a private company, they will charge for access to this information Unfortuantely, among those states, is California, as well as Texas!.