In our digitally connected world, it may seem like we‘re never more than a click away from contacting anyone. But when you need to reach someone the old-fashioned way – by mail – you might hit a wall if you don‘t have their current physical address. Whether you‘re trying to reconnect with a long-lost friend, send a surprise gift to a family member, or do some genealogy research on an ancestor, tracking down a postal address can be a challenge.
Fortunately, the rise of online people search engines, public records databases, and social media has made this task easier than ever before. In this ultimate guide, we‘ll break down the most effective methods to find someone‘s address with just a name, phone number, email, and more. Let‘s dive in!
Method 1: Use a People Search Engine like BeenVerified
People search engines are powerful tools that scour billions of public records to create detailed background reports on individuals. BeenVerified is one of the most popular and reliable options, aggregating data from sources such as:
- Property records
- Voter registrations
- Court records
- Utility bills
- Phone books
- Social media profiles
Here‘s how to use BeenVerified to find an address by name:
- Go to the BeenVerified People Search page
- Enter the person‘s first name, last name, and last known location (city & state)
- BeenVerified cross-references the information across its databases and provides a list of potential matching profiles
- Select your desired profile and generate a background report, which may include current and past addresses
Key benefits of BeenVerified:
- Accesses 100+ billion public records across all 50 states
- Provides addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, social profiles, and more
- Affordable membership packages and easy cancellation
According to a recent study by BestBackgroundChecks.org, BeenVerified had the highest accuracy rate and most up-to-date information among leading people search engines. It found a correct current address for subjects 89% of the time.
Method 2: Check Public Records Directly
If you want to DIY your address search, you can access many public records databases directly. These government-maintained resources can provide valuable information, but may require more legwork to get results.
Some of the best public records sources for finding addresses:
Property Records
Counties keep records of all real estate transactions. You can search property deeds, tax assessments, and mortgage records by name to find associated addresses.
Voter Registration Records
Most states allow you to access voter rolls, which list names and addresses of registered voters. Check your state‘s Secretary of State website for access details.
Court Records
If your subject has been involved in any court cases (civil or criminal), their address may be listed in court documents like divorces, bankruptcies, jury duty summons, etc.
To access public records, you may need to:
- Determine which state/county agency maintains the records
- Visit the relevant government website or physical office
- Provide identifying details on your subject (name, birthdate, etc.)
- Pay any associated fees for record copies or online access
Keep in mind that not all public records are available online or to the general public. In some cases, you may need to provide a valid reason for your records request.
Method 3: Search Engines & Social Media
Don‘t underestimate the power of a good ol‘ Google search to uncover someone‘s address. Try searching for:
- [Full Name] + "address"
- [Full Name] + [City/State]
- [Full Name] + "home address"
- [Full Name] + "contact information"
You can also try other popular search engines like Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo. If your subject has a common name, try adding other identifying details like a middle name, birthdate, or previous locations.
Next, check the person‘s social media profiles on sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. While most people don‘t post their full addresses publicly, you may find clues like:
- Hometown or current city
- Places of employment
- Tagged locations
- Mentions of moving, buying a home, etc.
A 2020 survey by ID Analytics found that 43% of people have posted their home address on a public social media profile. So this method is definitely worth a shot!
Method 4: Reverse Phone Number Lookup
If you have your subject‘s phone number, you can use a reverse phone lookup tool to potentially find their physical address. These services match phone numbers to owner details in their databases. Some of the most reputable reverse phone lookup providers:
- Whitepages Premium
- Spokeo
- Intelius
- CallerSmart (for mobile numbers)
To do a reverse phone lookup:
- Enter the full phone number (including area code)
- The tool searches phone carrier databases, marketing lists, public records, etc.
- If a match is found, you‘ll see the owner‘s full name, current address, past locations, and other contact info
Keep in mind that reverse phone lookups tend to be more effective for landlines than mobile numbers, as cell numbers aren‘t always linked to physical addresses in public databases. A New York Times analysis found that reverse lookups provided an accurate address for mobile numbers only 40% of the time.
Method 5: Reverse Email Address Lookup
Similarly, you can use a reverse email lookup tool to match an email address to an identity and location. These services search online databases and social networks to find any public profiles associated with a given email address. Prominent reverse email search engines include:
- BeenVerified (Reverse Email Lookup)
- SocialCatfish
- EmailSherlock
- PeopleFinders
To use these tools, simply enter the full email address into the search bar and hit enter. The tool will scan its records (which may include social media profiles, online shopping accounts, discussion forums, etc.) to find the owner‘s:
- First and last name
- City & state
- Age and birthdate
- Social media handles
- Phone numbers
- Associated street addresses
According to a study by Radicati Group, 41% of email addresses include a person‘s first and/or last name – which can provide a good starting point for an address search. However, reverse email lookups tend to work best for non-generic email addresses ([email protected] vs. [email protected]).
Method 6: Contact Mutual Acquaintances
Sometimes the easiest way to find someone‘s address is to ask around your shared personal network. Think of friends, family members, classmates, coworkers, or neighbors who might have your subject‘s contact information.
You can reach out via phone, email, text, or social media to say something like:
"Hi [Name], I‘ve been trying to get in touch with [Subject] to [send a card/schedule a visit/etc.] but I don‘t have their current address. Do you happen to have it, or can you suggest anyone else who might? Thanks so much for your help!"
Even if your mutual acquaintance doesn‘t have the full address, they may provide a useful lead like:
- A new city or neighborhood where the person lives
- A spouse‘s or relative‘s name (whose contact info may be easier to find)
- Other friends to ask who may have stayed in touch
A recent Pew Research study found that 51% of people have exchanged contact info with at least 3 neighbors to stay in touch. So that former neighbor might be your best bet for an up-to-date address.
Method 7: Hire a Private Investigator
For the most stubborn address search cases, you may want to enlist the help of an expert. Licensed private investigators have access to specialized databases and skip tracing techniques that go beyond what the average person can dig up online.
While hiring a PI will cost more than doing the legwork yourself (expect to pay around $100 per hour), it can provide peace of mind that your search is comprehensive and discreet. Some reasons to consider a PI:
- You‘ve tried all the DIY methods and hit a wall
- Your address search is time-sensitive or high-stakes
- You need current information for legal reasons (e.g. serving divorce papers)
- You need extra reassurance of privacy and discretion
To find a reputable investigator, try these resources:
- State licensing boards for PIs (most require licensure)
- National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI)
- Local attorney referrals
- Online directories like PInow.com and PiNow.com
Conduct thorough research and ask for references before hiring a PI. Also inquire about their specific experience locating hard-to-find individuals.
Conclusion + Expert Recommendation
With so many tools at your disposal, finding a current address for almost anyone is absolutely doable. Here‘s the approach we recommend for best results:
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Start with a people search engine like BeenVerified. These powerful databases pull together dozens of sources into a single, easy-to-read background report. It‘s the quickest way to cast a wide net.
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If needed, fill in any blanks with targeted searches of public records databases and Internet sources. Property records, voter registration rolls, and a simple Google search can work wonders.
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Try a reverse phone or email lookup (if you have that information on your subject).
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As a last resort, hire a PI to deploy advanced skip tracing techniques.
Throughout the process, respect the person‘s privacy as much as possible by only searching and sharing what you need. And avoid using any uncovered information for unauthorized or unethical purposes.
With a little persistence and creativity, you‘ll be sending off that hand-written card or smiling on your old friend‘s doorstop in no time. Happy searching!
