What Databases Do Skip Tracers Use?

Professional skip tracers access specialized databases not available to the general public, including credit bureau headers, utility records, DMV databases, employment records, and many other sources. These data sources provide current addresses, phone numbers, employment information, and other details that make locating people possible when public sources fail. Understanding what databases are used helps you appreciate why professional skip tracing produces significantly better results than DIY searching and what comprehensive information to expect from professional searches.

The databases described in this guide represent the core data sources used by professional skip tracers. Not every search uses every database—search strategy is tailored to each case based on available identifying information, subject characteristics, and the specific information needed. Understanding these sources helps you appreciate the value of professional skip tracing and set realistic expectations for what searches can reveal.

🗄️ Database Overview

Professional skip tracing relies on aggregating information from multiple specialized databases. No single database contains all the information needed to locate someone—comprehensive skip tracing requires searching across many sources and cross-referencing results to build a complete picture of where someone currently lives, works, and can be contacted.

These databases aren’t available to the general public. Access requires specific credentials, compliance agreements, and often professional licensing. The restrictions exist to protect consumer privacy while allowing legitimate uses like debt collection, legal services, and licensed investigation. This is why professional skip tracers consistently produce better results than DIY searching using publicly available tools.

Different databases have different strengths and different lag times in updating. Credit data is typically the most current for active consumers because it reflects recent credit applications. Utility records show recent moves quickly because people connect utilities immediately when moving. Employment databases reveal workplace information. Property records document ownership. DMV records provide vehicle information. Combining these sources provides comprehensive coverage that no single database can match.

The art of professional skip tracing lies in knowing which databases to search for different types of subjects, how to interpret results from multiple sources, and how to assess data quality and recency. A subject who recently applied for a car loan will show up in credit data. A subject who moved to a new rental will show in utility data. A subject who bought property will appear in property records. Understanding these patterns helps skip tracers focus on the most productive data sources for each case.

Data quality varies across sources and subjects. Some people have extensive, well-documented histories across multiple databases. Others have thin data trails that are hard to follow. Some subjects deliberately minimize their data footprint to avoid being found. Professional skip tracers understand these variations and adapt their search strategies accordingly, knowing when to dig deeper and when additional searching is unlikely to produce results.

💳 Credit Bureau Data

Credit bureau header data is often the most valuable source for skip tracing because it reflects recent activity. When someone applies for credit—a loan, credit card, or even some apartment applications—they provide current address and phone information. This data flows to credit bureaus and becomes available to authorized users with permissible purpose.

The three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—each maintain extensive consumer records. Header data (as opposed to full credit reports) includes identifying and contact information without detailed credit history. Skip tracers typically access header data rather than full credit reports because header information is what’s needed for location purposes.

What Credit Headers Contain

• Current address: Address provided on recent credit applications, often the freshest available data showing where someone lives now
• Previous addresses: Address history from past credit activity showing everywhere the subject has lived while using credit
• Phone numbers: Contact numbers provided to creditors including cell, home, and work phones
• Employment: Employer information from credit applications including company name and sometimes address
• SSN verification: Confirmation of Social Security Number matching to verify identity
• Date of birth: Birth date information for identity verification purposes
• Name variations: Different names associated with the credit file including maiden names and aliases

Why Credit Data Is Valuable

Credit header data is valuable because it reflects what people reported about themselves when they wanted something (credit approval). People generally provide accurate information on credit applications because inaccurate information reduces approval chances and may constitute fraud. This makes credit data more reliable than many other sources where accuracy incentives don’t exist.

Credit data is also typically current. Someone who applied for a credit card last month provided their current address at that time. This recency makes credit headers invaluable for finding people who have recently moved—the new address may appear in credit data before it shows up anywhere else.

The comprehensive nature of credit data is also valuable. Most adults in the US have credit files, and those files accumulate years of address history. Even if someone’s current address isn’t in the file, their address history may reveal patterns, relatives (through shared addresses), and geographic connections useful for investigation.

Credit Data Limitations

Credit data has limitations that skip tracers must account for. People who don’t use credit (cash-only lifestyle, recent immigrants, very young adults, some elderly populations) may not appear in credit databases or may have minimal records. People deliberately avoiding credit to hide from creditors may not generate new credit activity that would update their address.

Credit data quality also varies by individual. Some people have extensive credit histories with frequent activity that keeps data current. Others have thin files with minimal activity and potentially outdated information. Assessing data recency requires understanding when the information was last updated.

⚡ Utility Records

Utility connection records show where people have established electric, gas, water, cable, or telecommunications services. When someone moves to a new residence, they typically connect utilities in their name, creating a record of their new address that may appear before credit data updates.

Utility data is particularly valuable for recent moves because it reflects immediate practical needs. Someone might wait months to apply for credit at a new address, but they need electricity from day one. This makes utility records a leading indicator of address changes.

What Utility Records Show

• Service addresses: Where utilities are connected in the subject’s name, indicating residence
• Connection dates: When service was established, indicating when the subject moved to that location
• Service types: Electric, gas, water, cable, phone, and internet connections
• Disconnection information: When and where service ended, indicating when subject moved away
• Previous service history: Past addresses where the subject had utility service

Why Utility Data Is Valuable

Utility records are valuable because almost everyone connects utilities when they move. Even people trying to hide from creditors need electricity and water at their new residence. Unlike credit data, utility connections are practical necessities rather than optional financial products—people can avoid credit, but they can’t easily avoid utilities.

Utility records can reveal moves that don’t yet appear in credit data. Someone who moved last week won’t have credit data at their new address yet, but they may have already connected electric service. This makes utility data valuable for finding very recent moves that other sources miss.

Utility data also provides independent verification of addresses. When utility records match credit data for the same address, confidence in that address is high. When utility records show a different address than credit data, it may indicate a recent move that credit data hasn’t reflected yet.

Utility Data Limitations

Utility data may miss people who live with others and have utilities in a roommate’s or family member’s name. It won’t show people who live in furnished rentals with utilities included in rent. Some people use alternative names for utility accounts, especially those trying to hide or with poor utility payment history.

Coverage of utility data varies by geography. Some areas have better utility data aggregation than others. Rural areas with co-op utilities or private wells/septic may have limited utility data available. Very new developments may not yet have comprehensive utility data.

🚗 DMV Databases

Department of Motor Vehicle databases contain driver’s license and vehicle registration information. These records connect people to addresses through their license address and to vehicles through registration records. DMV data is particularly valuable for investigations requiring vehicle identification.

Access to DMV data is governed by the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), which restricts who can access motor vehicle records and for what purposes. Legitimate skip tracing purposes generally qualify for access, but providers must maintain compliance with DPPA requirements.

What DMV Records Contain

• License information: Address on driver’s license, license status, issue and expiration dates
• Physical description: Height, weight, eye color, and sometimes photo availability
• Vehicle registrations: Vehicles registered to the individual including make, model, year, and color
• Registration addresses: Where vehicles are registered, which may differ from license address
• License history: Previous addresses from past license renewals and updates
• Vehicle details: VIN, license plate numbers, registration dates and expiration
• Driving record indicators: License suspensions, restrictions, or special endorsements

Why DMV Data Is Valuable

DMV data is valuable because licenses and registrations are legally required for driving. People who drive must maintain current licenses and register their vehicles. This creates mandatory interaction with government databases that captures their information.

Vehicle information is particularly useful for surveillance and investigation purposes. Knowing what car someone drives—make, model, color, and plate number—helps investigators locate and follow subjects. This information may not be available from any other source, making DMV data uniquely valuable for mobile surveillance.

DMV records also provide physical description (height, weight, eye color) that can help confirm identity and provide identifying characteristics for field investigation. In some cases, license photos may be available to help verify identity visually.

DMV Data Limitations

DMV records may be significantly outdated because people don’t always update their address when they move. Many states only require address updates when licenses are renewed, which happens every 4-8 years depending on the state. Someone’s license address may reflect where they lived years ago rather than their current residence.

People without driver’s licenses don’t appear in these databases. This includes non-drivers, those whose licenses were revoked, and people in areas where driving is unnecessary. Some states also have more restricted access to DMV data than others, affecting what information is available.

Vehicle information may be incomplete if people own vehicles in business names, trust names, or through leasing arrangements that don’t show individual names. Leased vehicles typically register to the leasing company rather than the driver.

💼 Employment Records

Employment databases track where people work, providing valuable information for skip tracing and collection. This information comes from multiple sources including payroll reporting, new hire databases, and employment verification services. Knowing where someone works is valuable for wage garnishment, workplace service of process, and surveillance planning.

Employment Data Sources

• New hire databases: Employers report new employees to state agencies within days of hire, primarily for child support enforcement purposes
• Payroll records: Information from payroll service providers and tax reporting shows current employment
• Employment verification services: Commercial databases aggregate employment data from multiple sources
• Professional licensing: Licensed professionals (nurses, attorneys, real estate agents, contractors) have employer information on file with licensing boards
• Unemployment records: Previous employer information appears in unemployment claim records
• Workers’ compensation: Employment information from workplace injury claims

Why Employment Data Is Valuable

Employment data reveals where subjects spend approximately half their waking hours, providing a reliable location for contact or surveillance. Process servers can serve defendants at work when home service fails. Investigators can observe subjects during work hours or commutes.

Employment information is essential for wage garnishment. Judgment creditors need current employer information to garnish wages. Collection agencies use employment data to assess collectability and contact debtors at work (subject to legal restrictions).

Employment data also provides context about the subject’s situation—their income level, work schedule, professional standing, and stability. This context informs investigation strategy and collection decisions.

Employment Data Limitations

Employment data may be outdated if someone recently changed jobs. There’s inherent lag between job changes and database updates—someone who started a new job last week won’t appear at that employer yet in databases.

Self-employed individuals, gig workers, and those paid under the table may not appear in employment databases. Independent contractors often don’t show employer relationships because there’s no employer-employee relationship to report. The growing gig economy creates gaps in traditional employment data.

Some employers are slow to report new hires or don’t participate in commercial employment databases. Small businesses may have less complete employment data than large employers with sophisticated HR systems.

🏠 Property Records

Property records document real estate ownership, including homes, land, and commercial property. These public records show who owns what property and provide addresses associated with ownership. Property records are valuable for both location and asset investigation purposes.

Property records are maintained at the county level by assessors, recorders, and tax collectors. These records are public information, though accessing them efficiently requires aggregated databases that compile records from thousands of county offices nationwide.

What Property Records Show

• Property ownership: Current and historical owners of specific properties
• Owner addresses: Mailing addresses where tax bills and correspondence are sent
• Property details: Physical location, size, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, year built
• Assessed value: Tax-assessed value of the property, updated periodically
• Sale history: Previous sales including dates and prices
• Mortgage information: Lender, loan amounts, recording dates (in most jurisdictions)
• Tax assessments: Property tax amounts and payment status
• Liens and encumbrances: Tax liens, mechanic’s liens, judgments attached to property

Why Property Data Is Valuable

Property records reveal asset ownership for collection purposes. Real estate is typically the most valuable asset most people own, and it can’t be hidden—ownership is public record. For judgment collection, knowing what real estate a debtor owns is essential for placing liens and potentially forcing sale.

Property records also provide addresses that may not appear in other databases. Property owner mailing addresses update when owners want to receive tax bills, creating address information independent of credit or utility data.

Tax payment status may indicate financial situation. Current tax payments suggest financial stability; delinquent taxes suggest financial distress. Foreclosure filings indicate serious financial problems. This context helps assess collectability and investigation strategy.

Property Data Limitations

Property records only show ownership, not current residence. Someone may own property at one address while living elsewhere—perhaps renting out the property or owning a vacation home. Properties held in trusts, LLCs, or other entities may not obviously connect to individual names without additional research.

Renters don’t appear in property records as owners. Since more than a third of Americans rent, property records miss a significant portion of the population’s current residences. Property records show landlord ownership, not tenant occupancy.

Property data also has lag time. Sales and transfers take weeks or months to record. Very recent property transactions may not yet appear in databases.

⚖️ Court Records

Court records document legal filings including civil lawsuits, criminal cases, bankruptcies, and family law matters. These records contain party information including addresses and reveal legal history relevant to many investigations.

Court records are public information in most cases, though some records are sealed or restricted (juvenile cases, some family law matters, sealed criminal records). Efficient access requires searching across federal, state, and local court systems—thousands of separate court systems with different record-keeping practices.

Types of Court Records

• Civil cases: Lawsuits between parties including contract disputes, personal injury, collections
• Judgments: Court orders resulting from lawsuits, showing amounts owed
• Liens: Judgment liens, tax liens, mechanic’s liens attached to property
• Criminal cases: Criminal charges, arraignments, convictions, sentencing
• Bankruptcy: Chapter 7, 11, 13 filings including schedules of assets and creditors
• Family law: Divorce, custody, child support, and domestic matters
• Probate: Estate administration, wills, guardianships
• Foreclosure: Mortgage default and foreclosure proceedings
• Eviction: Landlord-tenant disputes and unlawful detainer actions

Why Court Records Are Valuable

Court records provide addresses used in legal filings. Parties to lawsuits must provide addresses for service, creating verified address information. Court records also reveal legal history—prior lawsuits, judgments, bankruptcies, and criminal history relevant to investigation.

Bankruptcy records are particularly valuable because they require comprehensive disclosure. Bankruptcy schedules list all assets, all creditors, income sources, expenses, and recent financial transactions. This is the most complete financial picture available for anyone who has filed bankruptcy.

Litigation history reveals business interests (parties to business disputes), associates (co-defendants, co-plaintiffs), and patterns of behavior relevant to investigation. Someone frequently sued for debt may have collection problems. Someone frequently suing others may be litigious.

Court Record Limitations

Court record addresses may be outdated—they reflect where someone lived when they filed or were served, not necessarily where they live now. Court records also only include people who have been involved in court proceedings; those without legal involvement don’t appear.

Sealed, expunged, and restricted records aren’t accessible through standard searches. Juvenile records are typically sealed. Some criminal records are expunged after certain periods or under certain conditions. Records in ongoing sensitive cases may be restricted.

📞 Phone Databases

Phone databases identify subscribers for landline, cell phone, and VoIP numbers. These records help skip tracers find contact numbers and verify phone connections. Phone data links phone numbers to names and addresses.

Phone databases aggregate information from carriers, directory listings, and commercial data sources. Coverage and accuracy vary—cell phone data is generally less complete than landline data because cell numbers were historically unpublished.

Phone Database Information

• Subscriber identity: Who the phone number is registered to
• Subscriber address: Address associated with the phone account
• Phone type: Landline, cell phone, VoIP classification
• Carrier information: Which provider services the number
• Connection status: Whether the number is currently active or disconnected
• Phone history: Previous phones associated with the same person
• Line type indicators: Business vs. residential, toll-free, pager

Why Phone Data Is Valuable

Phone data provides contact numbers for reaching subjects directly. It can also reveal addresses through subscriber information—someone’s phone billing address may be current when other address data is old.

Cell phones are particularly useful because people often keep them when moving. The same cell number may lead to someone who moved across the country—they kept their phone number even though everything else changed. This makes cell phone data valuable for locating mobile subjects.

Phone data also helps verify whether numbers are still active before attempting contact. Knowing that a number is disconnected saves wasted contact attempts. Carrier information may help with subpoenas or other legal processes involving phone records.

Phone Data Limitations

Cell phone data is less complete than landline data historically because cell numbers weren’t published in directories. Coverage has improved significantly but remains imperfect. Prepaid phones may not show subscriber information at all. Business phones may list the business rather than individual employees using those lines.

Phone numbers are frequently reassigned to new users, so a number associated with a subject may now belong to someone else entirely. Number portability also means the carrier information may not reflect who currently services the number since people can move numbers between carriers.

📊 Other Data Sources

Beyond the primary databases above, skip tracers may access additional specialized sources depending on the investigation needs and what information is available. These supplementary sources can fill gaps when primary sources don’t provide needed information.

Social Security Traces

SSN traces reveal everywhere a Social Security Number has been used, providing comprehensive address history linked to that unique identifier. This is among the most powerful search tools when SSN is available because it aggregates information from every source that has reported activity under that SSN.

SSN traces typically show credit activity, employment records, utility connections, and other records tied to the Social Security Number. The result is a comprehensive address history showing everywhere the subject has lived while using that SSN. For subjects with SSN available, this provides the most complete picture available.

Address Forwarding Records

USPS address forwarding and change-of-address records show when people officially redirect their mail to new addresses. This data can reveal recent moves when other sources haven’t updated. Someone who files a change of address creates a record that may be available before credit or utility data reflects the move.

Not everyone files change-of-address forms when moving, especially those trying to avoid creditors. But for those who do file, this data provides early indication of address changes.

Business Records

Corporate filings, business licenses, and commercial databases show business ownership and officer information. This helps locate business owners and identify business interests for asset purposes. Someone with business ownership has addresses and assets associated with those businesses.

Secretary of State records show registered agents, officers, and directors of corporations and LLCs. Business license records show ownership of licensed businesses. Commercial credit files track business credit activity. These records connect individuals to their business activities and associated addresses.

Professional License Databases

Licensing boards maintain records for professionals like attorneys, nurses, doctors, real estate agents, contractors, and many others. These records include addresses and often employment information for licensed individuals. License requirements vary by profession and state.

Professional licenses must be renewed periodically, so addresses may be relatively current. License status (active, suspended, revoked) provides context about the professional’s current situation.

Voter Registration

Voter registration records contain addresses and dates of birth for registered voters. These public records provide additional address verification and history. Voter registration updates when people re-register after moving, creating address change records.

Voter registration coverage is limited to registered voters—those who haven’t registered or whose registration has lapsed won’t appear. But for registered voters, this provides another independent address verification source.

Social Media and Public Internet

While not traditional databases, social media profiles and public internet information can supplement database searching. Public profiles may reveal locations, employment, family connections, and other information useful for skip tracing. This requires manual research rather than automated database searching.

Death Records

Social Security Death Index and state vital records indicate when people have died. This information prevents wasted effort searching for deceased individuals and may be necessary for estate matters. Death records also help distinguish between living subjects and deceased individuals with similar names.

🔐 Database Access Requirements

Access to skip tracing databases is restricted and requires specific credentials and compliance agreements. This protects consumer privacy while enabling legitimate investigative uses. Understanding access requirements helps explain why professional skip tracers have capabilities individuals don’t.

Permissible Purpose

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires “permissible purpose” for accessing consumer data. Legitimate purposes include debt collection, legal matters, licensed investigation, employment screening (with consent), tenant screening (with consent), and other specified uses. Simply wanting to find someone out of curiosity is not permissible purpose and doesn’t authorize data access.

Permissible purposes are specifically defined in the FCRA and related regulations. Users must certify their purpose when establishing database access and each time they conduct searches. False certification creates legal liability.

Professional Credentials

Most database providers require users to demonstrate professional credentials—collection agency licensing, private investigator licensing, attorney status, or similar professional standing. This ensures data access is limited to legitimate business users rather than general public.

Credential requirements vary by provider and data source. Some sources require specific licensing while others accept business registration and compliance agreements. Professional investigators, collection agencies, and law firms typically meet credential requirements.

Compliance Agreements

Database users must sign compliance agreements promising to use data only for permissible purposes, maintain data security, and follow applicable laws. Violations can result in loss of access, fines, and legal action. Agreements typically require:

• Use only for permitted purposes certified at time of search
• Secure storage and transmission of data
• Limited retention of search results
• No resale or unauthorized sharing of data
• Compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
• Cooperation with audits and compliance reviews

Why Access Is Restricted

Database access restrictions protect consumer privacy. Without these protections, anyone could look up anyone’s address, employment, and financial information—creating obvious potential for stalking, harassment, identity theft, and other harms. Restrictions balance legitimate business needs against privacy protection and public safety.

The restrictions also maintain data quality. If databases were freely accessible, subjects would stop providing accurate information to creditors and others, degrading data quality for everyone. Restricted access preserves the incentive to provide accurate information.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions