Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for searching a remote database utilizing a telephone device in communication with a data processing system. The data processing system has access to the remote database and the telephone device includes transmitter components for transmitting dual-tone multifrequency signals, wherein the dual-tone multifrequency signals are generated manipulating a keypad associated with the telephone device. The keypad has individually depressible alpha-numeric keys that may be utilized to generate a query and to send commands to the data processing system. The method of the present invention includes prompting the user to enter a query utilizing the depressible alpha-numeric keys on the keypad. As the query is input from the user, the data processing system searches the database to locate entries within the database corresponding to current state of the query.