An off-board or remote database controls routing of out-of-band signaling messages through signaling transfer points (STPs). The preferred embodiment relates to improvements in an SS7 common channel interoffice signaling system which transports routing control type signaling messages and the like between switching offices of a public switched telephone network. At least one STP is programmed to recognize certain aspects of a signaling message as a `point in routing` (PIR) which triggers a database query or `dip` to the remote database. The database provides an instruction to the STP as to how to translate and/or route the particular signaling message. The signaling message routing information in the database may be extremely dynamic, for example varying with time of day, point-of-origin, traffic congestion, etc.