Thinking about locating someone, but not sure where to start? 

Whether you’re serving legal documents, locating a witness, or trying to reconnect with a missing contact, having the right starting information makes all the difference.

When starting a locate investigation, here are the most critical pieces of information to gather:

​1️⃣ Primary Identifiers: Full legal name (including maiden names or aliases), date of birth, and Social Security Number (if available).

2️⃣ Contact History: Last known street addresses, past phone numbers, and old email addresses or social handles.

3️⃣ Known Connections: Names of relatives, spouses, past employers, or close associates.

4️⃣ Permissible Purpose: A valid legal or legitimate reason for the search to ensure full legal compliance.

​The more verified details you start with, the faster and more efficient the search will be.

 Pro Tip for Professionals: Always ensure your locate requests comply with federal and state privacy regulations before kicking off a search.

​What’s the most helpful piece of info you’ve used when tracking down a lead? Let’s chat in the comments! 