Synonyms for the phrase "public records" include official documents, government records, archival records, open records, public archives, and vital records. Official documents refer to any type of legally recognized record held by a government agency, while government records are documents created or received by a government agency. Archival records are historical documents preserved for research purposes, while open records refer to public documents that must be made available to the public under the law. Public archives encompass all types of records available for the public to access, while vital records focus specifically on documents related to birth, death, and marriage certificates. These synonyms highlight the importance of transparency and access to information in a democratic society.