Locating People Using Advanced Person Search

Sometimes it is necessary to search on a deeper level to find your subjects. We have made that search easier with Advanced Person Search. Our proprietary database combines data from hundreds of sources to create the most comprehensive collection of information about people in the United States. Advanced Person Search's searching capabilities allow you to combine information you have to make searching for your subject faster and easier, saving you time and money.

Topics in this help are listed below:

---

Quick Start on Advanced Person Search

First, try to locate the subject using one or more of the following search techniques:

1.     If you know the subject's Social Security Number (SSN) use it alone in your first search. Even though SSNs are the most reliable identifier for an individual, they are not 100 percent dependable because some records may not contain a subject's SSN. Therefore, a record for an individual may not appear when searching using SSN only. Conducting a second search using Name and State provides additional coverage.

2.     Search using Last Name, First Name, and State. If too many records are returned, try adding a City or State. You can also use a partial first name. Adding criteria not already used, such as first name, middle name or initial, DOB, city, state, ZIP code, or age range, refines a search. The more criteria you provide the more precise (narrow) the results will be.

Keep in mind that some records may not contain a middle name or initial, so providing one could eliminate records you may want included.

Select the Include similar sounding names box to search for a person whose last name sounds like the last name entered. This is a more inclusive search and will return more results.

Select the Strict Search box to limit your search results to only include matches on the full name criteria, and/or specific input street addresses. The Strict Search option is a narrower search and will not allow for searching on similar sounding names, Radius searching, or nicknames (where available).

     3.    Search using a Telephone Number. You may use seven digits, with or without a State.

4.    Search using a Last Name, First Name, State, and full or partial Date of Birth (DOB). A DOB may be entered in several formats: mm/yyyy, mm/dd, mm/dd/yyyy, or yyyy alone.

For Example:

1). Month and Year: (04/1963)
2). Month and Day: (04/23)
3). Month, Day and Year: (04/23/1963)
4). Year Only: (1963)

In the event that a Subject's complete DOB is unknown, searching by mm/yyyy, mm/dd or yyyy format may prove helpful.

     5.    Search using a DOB and First Name. If more records are returned than are practical to review, refine your search by adding a City and State or Zip Code.

Search Deeper

Advanced Person Search allows you to include additional information about your subject, such as a relative name or previous state of residence, or even use partial information you may have, to more accurately pinpoint where they may be currently located.

1.     Search using your subject's name and the first name of a relative. For example, if you are looking for John Doe and you know he has a relative with the first name of Jane.

2.     Search using your subject's name and include a name they may have previously used or may be currently using. For example, Jane Doe may have previously been known as Jane Smith.

3.     Search using your subject's name and state of residence as well as any previous state or states (maximum of two) in which they may have resided. For example, Jane Doe in Florida and previously resided in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

4.     Search using your subject's name, city and state and include the name of another city and state in which they may have lived. For example, Jane Doe in Sunrise, Florida, and Tallahassee, Florida.

5.     Search using your subject's name and the last four digits of their Social Security Number. For example, Jane Doe and 1234. You may even use a partial first name.

6.     Search using your subject's last name and first and middle initials. For example, J.D. Doe.

7.     Search using your subject's name and partial street address. For example, Jane Doe on Main Street, Anywhere, FL.

 

Back to top

---

Helpful Search Tips

Too Many Records Found

If your search returns the following message: Search completed. Too many records found. There was No Charge for this search, it means the search resulted in more than 1,000 records. Try narrowing the list of results by adding search criteria.

If a list of results is displayed but more records were returned than are practical to review, try narrowing the list of results by adding search criteria.

EXPAND LIST OF RESULTS

If too few or no results are returned, loosen the criteria by removing the most precise or uncertain criteria (e.g., middle name or initial, date of birth, city).

Non-SSN Searches

Non-SSN searches do not always return all records associated with the Subject. In order to ensure all records for the Subject are returned, you must identify at least one record that has a high level of confidence to be the Subject's record (see "Find a Subject in the Displayed List"). Select that record's SSN to return the optimal results; that is, all records associated with the Subject including the current address and telephone number.

Find a Subject in the Displayed List

Identify the number of unique persons by examining the SSNs. For each individual, examine their records to determine if the displayed age, geographic regions, middle name or initial, or first name fit what is known about the Subject. Select the SSN of an individual you believe to be the Subject to get the optimal set of results including their current most probable address and phone number. Initiate a Report for the Subject by selecting the Run a Report icon on the left-hand side and following the prompts.

Indicators

If your search returns icons to the right of the subject's address, that is an indication that we have found additional information about your subject using our advanced linking capabilities. The icons that may be present are: indicating property assessment records, indicating motor vehicle records or a indicating People at Work records. Selecting the icon will launch the search automatically.

Active Telephone Number

When the word "Active" appears to the right of a telephone number that indicates the telephone number is currently active at that address. This is particularly helpful if multiple telephone numbers are returned for one address.

Blue Check Mark Found

The blue check mark to the left of a subject's address indicates a probable current address. On records with a blue check mark you will also see the word "Current" under the "Locate Index" column found to the right of any telephone information or additional search indicators. Records without a blue check mark will have either the word "Probable" or "Historic." If a subject is found but has no blue check mark to indicate the most likely current address, you can try to find a subject through associates, landlords, relatives, or neighbors. Initiate a Report for the Subject by selecting the Run a Report icon on the left-hand side and following the prompts. When a report is generated, scroll down to find the relevant individuals.

Deceased Subjects

If your results are returned with a red "D" to the left of the subject's name, that subject has been reported deceased.  Move your mouse over the "D" to view the date of death.  For deaths reported since 2001, there may also be a "P" which would mean that proof, such as a death certificate, has been filed with the Social Security Administration or a "V" which would mean the death has been verified, usually by a family member.

 

Back to top

---

Source Documents information for individuals is obtainable after a Person Search or Advanced Person Search. There is a *View Source link under the Full Name on the search results page. A number, which indicates the approximate number of unique data sources used for this record, is placed by the right side of the link.

Selecting the *View Source link leads to a pop-up box with source documents summary.

Only one pop-up box is displayed at one time. The box closes automatically when you select the *View Source link for another subject.

Managing the Source Documents

You can do one or all of the followings from the source documents summary box.

• Select on top right to print the source information summary.
  
  
• Select to close the pop-up source information summary box.
  
  
• Select the plus sign by Expand All to reveal details of every data component; or select the plus sign by a specific component (for example, Address) to reveal that particular source details.

• Select the minus sign by Collapse All or by a specific component to close the details sections.
  
  
• Select after selecting the plus sign(s) to print the full or partial source details.
  
  
• Select to close the pop-up source details box.