Professional Skip Tracing Services

Locate anyone, anywhere in the United States. Our expert investigators use premium databases, proven techniques, and 20+ years of experience to find the people you’re looking for—even when others have failed.

🔍 What Is Skip Tracing?

Skip tracing is the specialized process of locating individuals who have “skipped”—meaning they’ve moved, changed contact information, or deliberately made themselves difficult to find. The term originated in the debt collection industry when debtors would “skip town” to avoid paying their obligations, but today skip tracing serves dozens of legitimate purposes across legal, financial, and personal contexts.

Professional skip tracing goes far beyond simple internet searches or basic people-finder websites. Our investigators access premium databases that aggregate information from credit bureaus, utility companies, DMV records, court filings, and dozens of other sources that aren’t available to the general public. We cross-reference multiple data points to verify accuracy and provide you with actionable intelligence you can rely on.

Unlike automated “instant” searches that simply pull whatever data exists in a single database, professional skip tracing involves human analysis and investigative judgment. We evaluate the quality of leads, identify potential red herrings, and pursue additional investigation when standard sources come up short. This combination of powerful databases and experienced human investigators is what allows us to find people that automated searches miss.

For a comprehensive overview of the process, see our complete guide to how skip tracing works.

Skip Tracing vs. People Search Websites

Many people try free or cheap people search websites before contacting professional skip tracers. While these services have their place, there are fundamental differences between consumer-grade searches and professional skip tracing that explain the significant gap in results quality.

For more details on the differences, see our guide on skip tracing vs. people search services and our comparison of professional vs. DIY skip tracing.

👥 Who Needs Skip Tracing Services?

Skip tracing serves a wide range of professionals and individuals who need to locate people for legitimate purposes. Our clients come from diverse industries, each with specific needs and requirements that our services are designed to address.

For industry-specific information, see our specialized guides for law firms, collection agencies, private investigators, bail bondsmen, and insurance companies.

📋 Our Skip Tracing Services

We offer multiple levels of skip tracing services to match different needs and budgets. Whether you need a quick address verification or a comprehensive investigation into someone who has deliberately hidden, we have a service level that fits your requirements.

Service Level Comparison

Specialized Search Services

Beyond general skip tracing, we offer targeted services for specific needs:

• Defendant Location: Find defendants for service of process, including documentation for due diligence declarations
• Judgment Debtor Location: Find debtors who have disappeared for judgment collection
• Heir & Beneficiary Search: Locate missing heirs through our heir search services
• Witness Location: Find witnesses for depositions and trial through our witness location services
• Missing Person Search: Reconnect with lost family through our missing person investigation

⚙️ How Our Skip Tracing Process Works

Our skip tracing process combines cutting-edge database technology with experienced human investigators to deliver accurate, reliable results. Here’s how we work to locate the people you’re searching for.

For detailed information on our methodology, see our article on how skip tracing works.

📊 What Our Skip Traces Reveal

A professional skip trace delivers substantially more information than basic people search websites. Depending on your service level and what exists in the records, our reports may include the following elements.

Standard Report Elements

• Current Address: The subject’s most recent verified residential address, including apartment numbers and move-in date indicators
• Address History: Previous addresses with approximate dates of residence, useful for establishing patterns and locating alternative service addresses
• Phone Numbers: Current and historical phone numbers including cell phones, landlines, and VoIP numbers
• Employment Information: Current and recent employers, including company names, addresses, and position information where available
• Relatives & Associates: Names and addresses of people connected to the subject through shared addresses, family relationships, or business associations
• Date of Birth: Verified or reported date of birth to confirm subject identity

Advanced Report Elements

• Social Media Profiles: Identified accounts on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and other platforms
• Property Ownership: Real estate owned by the subject including address, purchase date, and estimated value
• Vehicle Information: Cars, trucks, boats, and other vehicles registered to the subject
• Business Associations: Companies where the subject is an officer, director, or registered agent
• Court Records: Civil and criminal cases involving the subject
• Professional Licenses: State-issued licenses for regulated professions

For cases involving judgment collection, we can extend the search to include asset investigation to identify property, vehicles, and other assets available for collection. See our asset search services page for more information.

🗄️ Our Databases & Data Sources

The quality of skip tracing results depends directly on the quality and breadth of data sources used. We maintain access to premium databases that aren’t available through consumer-grade people search websites, giving us significant advantages in locating difficult subjects.

*Percentage indicates likelihood of returning accurate current address

Premium Data Sources We Access

• Credit Bureau Header Data: Non-financial identifying information from credit files showing where people have applied for credit—often the most current address data available
• Utility Connection Records: Electric, gas, water, cable, and internet service connections—shows where people are actually living
• Phone Carrier Records: Current cell phone subscriber information including carrier and account status
• USPS Change of Address: National Change of Address (NCOA) database showing forwarding requests
• DMV Records: Driver’s license and vehicle registration addresses where legally accessible
• Court Records: Civil and criminal case filings across state and federal courts
• Property Records: Real estate ownership, deed transfers, and tax assessor records
• Professional Licenses: State licensing board records for regulated professions
• Business Filings: Corporate registrations, officer/director listings, and UCC filings

For more detail on what professional skip tracers access, see our article on what databases skip tracers use.

📈 Our Success Rates

We maintain detailed statistics on our skip tracing success rates across different case types. These numbers reflect real-world results from thousands of cases and help set appropriate expectations for your search.

💵 Pricing & Packages

We believe in transparent pricing with no hidden fees or surprise charges. All prices are quoted upfront, and you’ll know exactly what you’re paying before we begin work on your case.

Volume Discounts

For clients with regular skip tracing needs, we offer volume pricing that significantly reduces per-search costs. Collection agencies, law firms, and process servers with ongoing needs often find volume arrangements make professional skip tracing cost-effective for every case.

• 10-24 searches per month: 10% discount
• 25-49 searches per month: 15% discount
• 50-99 searches per month: 20% discount
• 100+ searches per month: Custom pricing—contact us

For more details on pricing factors, see our guide on how much skip tracing costs.

⏱️ Turnaround Times

We understand that skip tracing is often time-sensitive. Court deadlines, service requirements, and collection efforts all depend on locating people quickly. Here’s what to expect for turnaround times.

For urgent matters, our rush service prioritizes your search and assigns dedicated investigator attention. Rush turnaround applies a 50% surcharge to standard pricing but can be essential when facing court deadlines or time-sensitive collection opportunities.

For more information on timing expectations, see our guide on how long skip tracing takes.

🏆 Why Choose People Locator Skip Tracing

With numerous skip tracing options available, why should you choose our services? Here’s what sets us apart from competitors and automated search services.

20+ Years of Experience

We’ve been locating people since 2004, long before internet search became ubiquitous. This experience means we’ve developed techniques and approaches that don’t exist in textbooks or training programs. We’ve handled tens of thousands of cases across every conceivable scenario, and that experience translates directly to better results for your searches.

Human Investigators, Not Just Databases

Many skip tracing services simply run your subject through automated database queries and send you whatever comes back. We take a different approach. Our investigators review results, verify accuracy, and apply analytical judgment to every case. When automated searches fail, we know where to look next and how to pursue leads that algorithms miss.

Court-Tested Methods

Our background in judgment enforcement means we understand what attorneys and courts require. When you need to demonstrate due diligence for service by publication or support a due diligence declaration, our reports are designed to meet those standards.

Premium Database Access

We maintain subscriptions to the most accurate, current databases in the industry. Credit headers, utility records, and proprietary skip tracing sources cost thousands of dollars monthly—costs that make sense for a professional service but would be prohibitive for occasional users. You get access to this data through our affordable per-search pricing.

Persistence on Difficult Cases

When standard searches don’t locate someone, we don’t simply report “not found” and close the case. We apply advanced techniques, pursue creative leads, and persist until we’ve exhausted every reasonable avenue. For truly difficult cases, this persistence often makes the difference between success and failure.

⚖️ Legal Compliance & Permissible Purpose

Skip tracing is legal, but accessing certain databases requires a “permissible purpose” under federal law. We ensure full compliance with all applicable regulations and require our clients to certify their permissible purpose before conducting searches.

Key Regulations

• Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Governs access to credit header information and requires permissible purpose for certain data
• Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA): Restricts access to financial information and requires data security measures
• Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA): Limits access to DMV records to specific permitted uses
• State Privacy Laws: Various states have additional restrictions on data access and use

Permissible Purposes

Common permissible purposes for skip tracing include:

• Service of legal process
• Debt collection on existing obligations
• Litigation and legal proceedings
• Insurance underwriting and claims
• Employment verification (with consent)
• Tenant screening (with consent)
• Locating missing heirs and beneficiaries
• Licensed investigation purposes

For a comprehensive overview of the legal framework, see our guide: Is Skip Tracing Legal?

Transparent Communication

You’ll never be left wondering about the status of your search. We provide regular updates on complex cases, are available to answer questions, and clearly communicate both results and limitations. If we can’t find someone, we’ll explain what we tried and why we believe further searching is unlikely to succeed.

Satisfaction Guarantee

We stand behind our work. If we cannot locate your subject after conducting a thorough search, you won’t pay full price. Depending on your service level and the specifics of the case, you may receive a partial refund or credit toward future searches. We only succeed when you succeed.

Confidential & Secure

Every search we conduct is treated with complete confidentiality. Your inquiry, your reasons, and the results are protected. We maintain strict data security protocols and will never share information about our clients or their searches. Professional discretion is foundational to our service.

📝 What Information Helps Us Find People

The quality and quantity of starting information directly impacts the speed and success of your skip trace. While we can often locate people with minimal data, providing more details allows us to work faster and with greater accuracy. Here’s what helps most.

Don’t worry if you don’t have all this information—we successfully locate people with minimal starting data every day. What you consider insignificant might be exactly what we need to break a case open. When in doubt, include it.

For detailed guidance, see our article on what information is needed for a skip trace.

🗺️ Nationwide Coverage

Our skip tracing services cover all 50 states, U.S. territories, and we have resources for international searches involving U.S. citizens abroad. We maintain state-specific knowledge that helps us navigate local records systems and regulations. Whether your subject has moved from California to Maine, from Texas to Alaska, or anywhere in between, our databases and investigative methods can track their movements and identify their current location.

Each state presents unique challenges and opportunities for skip tracing. Some states have robust public records that are easily accessible, while others have restrictive privacy laws that require creative approaches. Our experience across all jurisdictions means we know where to look, what’s available, and how to navigate state-specific obstacles efficiently.

State-specific services are available for high-volume markets including:

• California Skip Tracing Services
• Texas Skip Tracing Services
• Florida Skip Tracing Services
• New York Skip Tracing Services
• Illinois Skip Tracing Services
• Ohio Skip Tracing Services
• Georgia Skip Tracing Services
• Pennsylvania Skip Tracing Services
• North Carolina Skip Tracing Services
• Michigan Skip Tracing Services

❓ Frequently Asked Questions