Skip Tracing for Private Investigators

Professional skip tracing services and database access designed for licensed private investigators. Whether you need to locate subjects, verify information, or support complex investigations, we provide the comprehensive data access and investigative support that PIs rely on to get results for their clients across a wide variety of case types. With over 20 years of experience serving the investigation community, we understand your work and deliver the quality and speed you need.

🔍 Why Private Investigators Need Skip Tracing

Private investigators handle diverse cases that frequently require locating people—from process service and surveillance to background investigations and litigation support. Quality skip tracing is fundamental to successful PI work, providing the foundation of accurate information that every investigation requires to proceed effectively.

The reality of modern investigation is that people are mobile. They change addresses, phone numbers, employers, and even names. Public records lag behind actual circumstances, sometimes by months or years. Social media provides clues but rarely complete pictures. Without access to comprehensive, current data sources, investigators waste time on outdated information and struggle to locate subjects who don’t want to be found.

Professional skip tracing provides the current, verified information that successful investigations require. We access databases that aren’t available to the general public—credit bureau headers, utility connection records, employment databases, and more. This data reveals where people actually live, work, and can be contacted, not just where they lived years ago when they last updated their driver’s license.

For PIs, quality skip tracing isn’t just about finding people—it’s about efficiency and profitability. Time spent chasing bad leads is time not spent on billable investigation work. Accurate skip trace data gets you to the right location faster, improving case outcomes and client satisfaction while maximizing your productive investigation time.

The investigative landscape has become increasingly competitive, and clients expect results quickly. Whether you’re serving process, conducting surveillance, or supporting attorneys with litigation, having reliable skip trace data is a competitive advantage that separates successful investigators from those who struggle with outdated information.

Consider the economics: a single wasted surveillance day due to a bad address can cost your client hundreds or thousands of dollars and damage your reputation. A skip trace costing $50-150 that provides verified current address information is one of the best investments in any investigation. The ROI is immediate and substantial.

The Challenge of Self-Service Databases

Many PIs subscribe to skip trace databases directly, but this approach has limitations. Database subscriptions are expensive, often running hundreds or thousands of dollars monthly. No single database contains all records—comprehensive searches require access to multiple platforms. And raw database results require interpretation and verification that comes with experience.

By using our professional skip tracing services, you get the benefit of multi-database searches, experienced analysis, and verified results without the overhead of maintaining multiple expensive subscriptions. We aggregate results from numerous sources and apply investigative judgment to deliver actionable intelligence rather than raw data dumps.

When to Use Professional Skip Tracing

Professional skip tracing is valuable in numerous investigation scenarios:

• Before surveillance: Verify current address and identify vehicles before committing to surveillance operations
• Process service: Get current address when client-provided information is outdated or incorrect
• Missing persons: Comprehensive searches when someone has disappeared or lost contact
• Background investigations: Verify addresses and develop subject profile for thorough background work
• Asset investigations: Identify property, vehicles, and employment as part of asset discovery
• Witness location: Find witnesses for attorneys preparing for depositions or trial
• Skip resistance: Enhanced searches when basic methods fail to locate a subject

Consider the economics of investigation work. If you spend four hours searching for a subject using free online tools and outdated information, that’s four hours of unbillable time. A professional skip trace costing $50-100 that provides accurate current information in minutes represents enormous value—it converts unproductive search time into productive investigation time that generates revenue for your practice.

Beyond basic location services, comprehensive skip tracing supports the full range of investigative work. Asset searches reveal property and vehicles for surveillance planning. Employment information helps establish subject schedules and routines. Relative and associate information provides leads when subjects prove elusive. Phone numbers enable pretext calls and contact verification. This comprehensive intelligence supports sophisticated investigation strategies.

📋 Our Services for Private Investigators

We offer a complete range of skip tracing and investigation support services designed specifically for the needs of licensed private investigators. Our services scale from quick lookups to comprehensive investigations, with pricing and turnaround appropriate to each service level.

Additional Services

• Social Media Investigation: Identify and analyze public social media profiles for subject intelligence and activity patterns that inform surveillance planning
• Vehicle Information: Registration details, registered owner information, and vehicle history for mobile surveillance and asset identification
• Business Research: Corporate records, officer information, registered agents, and business affiliations for commercial investigations
• Phone Number Research: Identify subscribers, carriers, and connection status for numbers relevant to your investigation
• Address Verification: Confirm current occupancy and resident information at specific addresses before deploying for surveillance
• Identity Verification: Confirm subject identity using multiple data points to prevent wrong-party investigations
• Witness Location: Find witnesses for attorneys preparing for deposition or trial testimony
• Heir Search: Locate heirs for probate matters and estate administration

Service Levels Explained

Understanding which service level fits your case helps optimize your investigation budget. Basic person locates work well for straightforward cases where you simply need a current address—process service, initial surveillance setup, or skip work for collections. These searches focus on finding where someone is right now without extensive historical or associated information.

Comprehensive skip traces are appropriate when you need the full picture—complex surveillance requiring schedule information, cases where subjects may be evasive, or investigations where understanding the subject’s network matters. These searches provide depth that basic locates cannot, including relatives who might harbor subjects, associates who share activities, and historical patterns that predict behavior.

Asset investigations support financial dimensions of cases. Divorce attorneys need to know what assets exist for equitable division. Judgment creditors need to know what’s available before investing in legal action. Insurance investigators need to assess whether claimed financial hardship matches actual circumstances. These searches go beyond location to financial intelligence.

📁 Case Type Support

Our skip tracing services support the full range of private investigation case types. We understand that different cases have different requirements, and we tailor our services to provide the specific information each investigation needs.

Process Service

Process servers need accurate, current addresses to effect service efficiently. Our skip traces provide verified current addresses along with alternative locations (workplace, relatives) when primary residence service proves difficult. We can also support due diligence declarations for cases requiring service by publication when subjects cannot be located despite diligent efforts.

For process service work, timing matters significantly. Defendants who know litigation is coming may move or become evasive. Fresh skip trace data—not information from months ago—gives you the best chance of successful service on the first attempt. Our quick turnaround means you’re working with current intelligence, not stale data that leads to wasted trips and failed service attempts.

Surveillance

Effective surveillance requires knowing where subjects live, work, and spend their time. Our comprehensive skip traces provide home addresses, employer information, vehicle details, and associate information—everything you need to plan and execute successful surveillance operations.

Quality surveillance planning starts with quality intelligence. Knowing the subject drives a silver Honda Civic prevents wasting hours watching the wrong vehicle. Knowing they work at a specific location with predictable hours helps you position effectively. Knowing they frequently visit a particular associate provides additional coverage opportunities. This intelligence comes from comprehensive skip tracing.

Infidelity and Domestic Investigations

Domestic cases often involve locating subjects at addresses other than the marital home, identifying associates, and documenting movements. Skip traces reveal address history, known associates, phone numbers, and other information that supports these sensitive investigations.

These cases require particular discretion. The subject may become suspicious if they discover they’re being investigated, which can compromise both the case and the client’s safety. Our confidential handling protects your client’s interests while providing the intelligence you need to conduct effective investigation.

Insurance Fraud Investigation

Insurance fraud cases require detailed subject information to document activities inconsistent with claimed injuries or losses. Skip traces provide addresses, employment information, and asset details that support fraud investigation and documentation.

Fraud subjects often have multiple addresses, vehicles registered in different names, or employment they haven’t disclosed to their insurer. Comprehensive skip tracing reveals these discrepancies, providing leads for investigation and evidence of fraud. Asset searches are particularly valuable for documenting lifestyle inconsistent with claimed disability or financial hardship.

Missing Persons

Locating missing persons—whether for family reunification, inheritance matters, or other purposes—is a core PI service. Our skip traces search comprehensive databases to find people who may not want to be found or who have simply lost touch over the years.

Missing person cases vary widely in difficulty. Someone who simply moved and lost contact with family may be found quickly through address history. Someone deliberately hiding requires more sophisticated investigation using relative networks, associate information, and pattern analysis. We provide the data foundation for both scenarios.

Litigation Support

Attorneys frequently engage PIs to locate witnesses, investigate parties, and develop case intelligence. Our services support these needs with comprehensive subject information, background investigation, and asset discovery that informs litigation strategy.

Pre-litigation investigation helps attorneys assess cases before filing. Is the defendant collectible? What assets exist for recovery? Does the witness have credibility issues? These questions require investigation to answer, and skip tracing provides the starting data for deeper investigation work.

Child Custody and Support

Custody and support cases may require locating absent parents, documenting living situations, or verifying employment for support calculations. Skip traces provide current addresses and employer information essential to these cases.

When parents relocate to avoid support obligations or custody orders, skip tracing finds them. Employment verification supports accurate support calculations. Address verification confirms where children are actually residing. This information protects children’s interests and supports enforcement of court orders.

Background Investigations

Pre-employment screening, tenant screening, and personal background checks all benefit from skip trace data. Verifying that subjects are who they claim to be, confirming addresses and employment history, and identifying potential red flags all start with accurate identifying information that skip traces provide.

Workers’ Compensation Investigation

Workers’ comp fraud investigation requires surveillance of claimants to document activities inconsistent with claimed injuries. Skip traces provide current addresses, vehicle information, and employer details that support effective surveillance planning and execution.

Due Diligence for Business Transactions

When businesses are considering partnerships, investments, or acquisitions, due diligence investigation examines the principals involved. Skip traces and background investigations reveal potential issues that could affect the transaction—criminal history, civil litigation, financial problems, or connections to problematic individuals.

Real Estate Fraud Investigation

Real estate fraud schemes often involve people using false identities or hiding assets from creditors. Skip traces help identify the true parties involved, reveal asset holdings, and trace the movement of property through fraudulent transfers. This information supports both criminal investigation and civil recovery efforts.

🗄️ Database Access

We provide access to comprehensive databases that most individual PIs cannot cost-effectively maintain subscriptions to themselves. Our database access includes multiple premium data sources that together provide the comprehensive coverage quality investigations require.

What We Search

• Credit Bureau Headers: Current address and phone information from recent credit applications—often the freshest data available showing where subjects currently live and what contact information they’re actively using
• Utility Records: Service connection records showing where subjects have recently established residence, including electric, gas, water, and telecommunications connections
• DMV Records: Driver’s license and vehicle registration information across multiple states, providing both identification data and vehicle information for surveillance
• Employment Databases: Current employer information from payroll reporting, new hire databases, and other employment records
• Property Records: Real estate ownership, purchase dates, mortgage information, and tax assessments nationwide
• Court Records: Civil and criminal case filings, judgments, liens, and bankruptcy records that reveal legal history and financial obligations
• Phone Databases: Landline, cell, and VoIP subscriber information including carrier data and connection status
• Social Security Traces: Address history and identity verification through SSN-linked records showing everywhere the subject has used that SSN

For detailed information about skip trace data sources, see what databases skip tracers use.

Why Database Access Matters

The databases we access aren’t available to the general public. They require specific credentials, compliance agreements, and in many cases, professional licensing to access legally. Individual PIs who want this access would need to pay subscription fees to multiple providers—often costing hundreds or thousands of dollars monthly regardless of usage.

By working with us, you get the benefit of comprehensive database access without the overhead of maintaining expensive subscriptions. You pay only for the searches you need, when you need them. This makes professional-grade data economically accessible for investigators of all sizes, from solo practitioners to larger agencies.

Data Quality Considerations

Not all data sources are equal, and understanding data quality helps you interpret results. Credit bureau headers are typically the most current—they reflect recent credit applications within the last 30-90 days. Utility records show recent moves. DMV records may lag by months depending on state reporting practices. Property records are accurate but may not reflect very recent transactions.

We cross-reference multiple sources to provide confidence in our findings. When an address appears in credit headers, utility records, and phone databases, you can be confident it’s current. When information appears in only one source, we indicate lower confidence so you can plan accordingly.

📊 What Our Skip Traces Reveal

Understanding what information skip traces can provide helps you select the right service level and interpret results effectively. Different service levels provide different depths of information to match case requirements and budgets.

Information Type	What We Find	Investigation Value
Current Address	Verified residential address with recency	Surveillance setup, process service, initial contact
Address History	Previous addresses with dates	Pattern analysis, associate identification, leads
Phone Numbers	Landline, cell, VoIP with status	Contact, pretext, activity verification
Current Employer	Company name, address, position	Surveillance, garnishment, schedule patterns
Relatives	Names, relationships, contact info	Locate leads, interview sources, pressure points
Associates	Known connections and co-residents	Activity patterns, secondary subjects
Vehicles	Make, model, plate, registration	Mobile surveillance, asset identification
Property	Real estate ownership details	Asset value, lifestyle, foreclosure/lien status

Interpreting Results

Experienced investigators know that skip trace results require careful interpretation and verification. An address listed as “current” may have been current when the data was recorded but could be weeks or months old depending on the source. Phone numbers may be disconnected or reassigned. Employment may have changed since the database was updated.

The best approach treats skip trace data as high-quality leads rather than absolute truth. Verify critical information before major resource deployment. Use multiple data points to build confidence. Recognize that human intelligence—interviews, pretext calls, physical verification—complements database information and provides the ground truth that confirms or corrects database findings.

💵 Pricing for Private Investigators

Our pricing is designed to be competitive and accessible for working investigators. We understand the economics of PI work and price our services to deliver value while respecting your budget constraints.

Service	Price Range	Turnaround
Basic Person Locate	$35-65	Same day – 24 hours
Comprehensive Skip Trace	$75-150	24-48 hours
Asset Search (Single State)	$150-250	2-3 days
Asset Search (Nationwide)	$500-800	5-7 days
Background Investigation	$100-300	2-5 days
Phone Number Research	$25-50	Same day
Vehicle Information	$30-60	Same day – 24 hours

Volume Discounts

PIs with regular search needs receive volume pricing that reduces per-search costs significantly. Monthly account arrangements include discounted rates, consolidated billing, and priority service. Contact us to discuss volume arrangements for your investigation practice.

Billing Options

• Pay-As-You-Go: Pay for each search individually with no minimum commitment—ideal for investigators with variable caseloads
• Monthly Account: Consolidated monthly billing with volume discounts for regular users
• Prepaid Packages: Purchase search credits in advance at discounted rates
• Case-by-Case: Bill searches directly to specific case files for easy cost tracking and client billing

🚀 Getting Started

Working with us is straightforward. We’ve designed our processes for the working investigator who needs fast, reliable results without bureaucratic hassle.

Order Methods

• Online: Submit requests through our secure portal 24/7 for processing when our team is available
• Email: Send requests with subject information for processing—convenient for complex cases with multiple subjects
• Phone: Call for urgent requests or complex investigation support requiring consultation

What to Provide

The more identifying information you provide, the better our results. Essential information includes full name. Helpful additions include date of birth, SSN (if available), last known address, phone numbers, and any other identifying details. Even partial information can yield results with our comprehensive database access.

Results Delivery

Results are delivered via secure email or portal download in your preferred format. Standard turnaround is 24-48 hours for most searches, with same-day service available for urgent matters. You can choose how detailed you need the report—summary format for quick checks or comprehensive documentation for case files.

Ongoing Support

We’re available to discuss results, recommend additional searches, or help strategize difficult cases. Our team has decades of investigative experience and understands the challenges you face. We’re not just a data provider—we’re a resource for your investigative practice.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🤝 Working With Our Team

We’re not just a database access point—we’re experienced investigators who understand your work. Our team has decades of combined experience in skip tracing, asset investigation, and litigation support. We understand the pressures of investigation work and the importance of accurate, timely information to your success and your clients’ outcomes.

What Sets Us Apart

Many skip trace services offer database access, but few provide the investigative expertise that makes the difference between raw data and actionable intelligence. When you work with us, you get the benefit of experience that interprets results, identifies patterns, and recommends additional avenues when initial searches don’t produce the results you need. We think like investigators because we are investigators.

We understand that investigations are dynamic and evolving. What starts as a simple locate can evolve into a complex surveillance requiring multiple data points. A background investigation may reveal information suggesting asset search would be valuable. We’re flexible and responsive to these evolving needs, ready to expand scope or redirect efforts as your case develops and new information emerges.

Communication and Support

We’re accessible when you need us. Questions about results, recommendations for additional searches, or consultation on difficult cases—we’re here to help. Our goal is to be a resource that makes your investigations more effective, not just a vendor that processes orders without understanding your needs.

Quality Commitment

We stand behind our work with a commitment to quality that protects your reputation with your clients. If results aren’t what you expected, we’ll discuss what happened and what alternatives might help. We’re transparent about the limitations of database searches and honest about when enhanced investigation methods might be necessary. Our reputation depends on delivering quality, and we take that responsibility seriously.

Partnership Approach

We view our relationships with investigators as partnerships rather than transactions. Your success is our success. When you close cases efficiently and satisfy your clients, you come back for more services. This alignment of interests means we’re motivated to provide the best possible support for your investigations, not just process orders and move on.

⚖️ Legal Considerations for PIs

Private investigators operate under state licensing requirements that vary by jurisdiction. Understanding the legal framework for skip tracing and database access helps ensure your investigations remain compliant and your license remains protected. We take compliance seriously and structure our services to support legitimate investigative purposes.

Permissible Purpose

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and similar laws require “permissible purpose” for accessing certain consumer data. Licensed private investigators generally have permissible purpose when conducting investigations on behalf of clients for legitimate purposes. However, the specific rules vary by data type and use. Understanding these requirements helps ensure your data access remains compliant.

Client Engagement

Best practices include maintaining proper client engagement documentation, clearly defining investigation scope, and ensuring that requests are for legitimate investigative purposes. We require information about the purpose of searches and may decline requests that don’t appear to have legitimate investigative basis. This protects both of us from improper use issues.

State Laws

Some states have specific laws governing private investigator access to certain records. California, for example, has particular requirements for accessing DMV records. We stay current on state-specific requirements and can advise on what’s accessible in different jurisdictions. If you’re investigating across state lines, understanding these variations is important.

Data Security

Protecting the data we access and provide is essential for legal compliance and professional responsibility. We maintain secure systems, encrypted communications, and proper data handling procedures. We expect our PI clients to similarly protect investigation results and use data only for legitimate purposes. Data breaches or misuse can have serious professional and legal consequences.

Professional Standards

Beyond legal requirements, professional standards guide ethical investigation practice. Using skip trace data appropriately, protecting subject privacy within legal bounds, and maintaining client confidentiality are hallmarks of professional investigation work.

💻 Our Technology

We invest in technology that makes your investigations more efficient. Our systems are designed for speed, accuracy, and ease of use—because your time is valuable and shouldn’t be wasted on clunky interfaces or slow processing.

Secure Portal Access

Our online portal provides 24/7 access for submitting requests, checking status, and downloading results. The interface is designed for investigators—straightforward, efficient, and focused on getting you the information you need without unnecessary complexity. You can track pending requests, access historical searches, and manage your account all in one place.

Multiple Data Sources

We aggregate data from multiple premium sources, providing comprehensive coverage through a single search. This means you don’t need to run separate searches across multiple platforms—one request searches them all and returns consolidated results. Our data aggregation ensures you’re getting the most complete picture available from available sources.

Secure Delivery

Results are delivered through secure channels—encrypted email or portal download. We take data security seriously and protect both your identity and the information we provide from unauthorized access. Our systems comply with industry security standards to protect sensitive investigation data.

Flexible Output Formats

Results are available in multiple formats to suit your needs. Whether you prefer detailed reports for case files, summary formats for quick reference, or data formats for import into your case management system, we can accommodate your preferences. Custom reporting is available for agencies with specific requirements.

Mobile Access

Our portal is mobile-responsive, allowing you to submit requests and check results from the field. When you’re on surveillance and need additional information about a vehicle or associate, you can get it without returning to the office. This flexibility supports the mobile nature of investigation work.

🏆 Your Competitive Advantage

In the competitive investigation market, quality data access differentiates successful investigators from those who struggle. Clients expect results, and results require accurate, current information that skip tracing provides.

Speed to Results

Clients often need answers quickly and expect professional turnaround times. With professional skip tracing, you can provide faster service than competitors who rely on time-consuming manual research or limited data sources. Quick turnaround on skip traces means quick turnaround on cases, which means satisfied clients and repeat business that builds your practice.

Better Outcomes

Accurate data leads to successful investigations and satisfied clients. Process service succeeds when you have the right address. Surveillance produces results when you know where to be and what vehicle to watch. Asset searches support recovery when you know what exists. Better data means better outcomes, and better outcomes build your reputation in the market.

Cost Efficiency

Time is money in investigation work. Hours spent searching public records or driving to wrong addresses are hours that generate no revenue. Professional skip tracing converts that wasted time into productive, billable investigation work. The cost of skip traces is easily justified by the efficiency gains.

Professional Capability

Having access to comprehensive data resources positions you as a professional capable of handling complex cases. When attorneys or corporate clients need serious investigation work, they want investigators with serious capabilities. Skip trace access is part of the professional toolkit that attracts premium clients and premium fees.