SEARCH BY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
A Social Security Number, if you have one, should be the first search you try as it yields the best match results. Note that when you enter the subject's SSN in the SSN field, it is not necessary to include the hyphens.
Even though SSNs are the most reliable identifier for an individual, they may not necessarily return all available information since some database records may not include a subject's SSN. Therefore, conducting a second search using Name and State as your search criteria provides additional coverage.
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SEARCH BY LAST NAME
Enter the subject's last name in the Name field, then CLICK on the Submit button. If more records are returned than are practical to review, refine your search as described below.
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SEARCH BY DATE OF BIRTH AND FIRST NAME
Enter the subject's full DOB and first name, then CLICK on the Submit button. If more records are returned than are practical to review, refine your search by adding to your search criteria a state, city and state in combination, or a zip code.
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SEARCH BY ADDRESS
For an address search, the city and state fields are required; however, entry of an individual's name is not required. If you are unsure of the exact address, you can also perform an address search using a street name only as your search criteria.
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SEARCH BY TELEPHONE NUMBER
You may search by a telephone number with or without the area code. If you do not know the area code, you can search using only the seven digit telephone number with or without the state.
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REFINE A NAME SEARCH
Adding criteria not already used, such as first name, middle name or initial, DOB, city, state or ZIP code, refines a search. The more criteria you provide, the more precise (narrow) your results will be.
Keep in mind that some records may not contain a middle name or initial, so entering one in your search criteria could eliminate records you may want included.
If you are unsure of the subject's proper first name, try using a variation of the name. Our intuitive automatic nickname feature will return results matching the subject's proper first name.
A DOB may be entered in several formats: mm/yyyy, mm/dd/yyyy, or just yyyy. For Example:
1) Month and Year: (04/1963)
2) Month, Day and Year: (04/23/1963)
3) Year Only: (1963)
If a subject's complete DOB is unknown, searching by mm/yyyy or yyyy format may prove helpful.
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TOO MANY RECORDS FOUND
If your search returns the following message: Search has found more than 5000 matches. Please narrow search., try reducing the list of match results by adding search criteria.
If a list of results is displayed but more records were returned than are practical to review, likewise add search criteria to narrow the list of results.
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NARROW LIST OF RESULTS
If your search returns a long list of results, we recommend adding the following criteria, if known, in this order:
1. First Name or First Initial - If you are not sure of the entire first name, type an initial or the first few letters in the Name field. If you are not sure of the subject's proper name, try using a variation of the name.
2. State - Entering a state narrows the results to subjects living in that state.
3. City - Entering a city, in addition to the state, further narrows the results to subjects living in the specified city and state.
4. Middle Name or Initial - If your results return multiple listings with the same first and last name, add the subject's middle name or initial. Remember that some records do not contain middle names or initials and will be excluded.
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EXPAND LIST OF RESULTS
If too few or no results are returned, expand your search by removing the most precise or uncertain criteria (i.e. middle name or initial, date of birth, city).
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FINDING A SUBJECT IN THE MATCH LIST
Identify the number of unique persons by examining the SSNs in the Match List returned to you. For each individual, examine their records to determine if the displayed age, physical location, middle name or initial, or first name fit what is known about the subject. CLICK on 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.
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DECEASED INDICATOR
If your results are returned with a red "D" next to the subject's name, that means the subject has been reported deceased.
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NON-SSN SEARCHES
Non-SSN searches do not always return all records associated with the subject. To achieve maximum match results, identify at least one record in the initial match list that has a high probability of relating to the subject. Now conduct a second search using the SSN from that record to retrieve the optimal results; that is, all records associated with the subject, including the current address and telephone number.
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NO BLUE CHECK MARK FOUND
If a subject is found as a result of a search, but has no blue check mark to indicate the most likely current address, try finding a subject through associates, relatives, or neighbors. Order a report on the subject by clicking on the Get Report icon on the Match List page and following the prompts to select the report option you find most useful. When a report is generated, scroll down to find the relevant individuals.
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FIND OTHERS WHO MAY BE LIVING WITH A SUBJECT
Enter a known address in the search fields, or search on an address identified in the Match List returned to you as a result of a search. Order a Comprehensive Report to display names of people who live at an address.
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Helpful Search Tips - Bankruptcy, Liens, Judgments Searches
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SEARCH BY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
When submitting a Bankruptcy, Lien or Judgment Search, enter the subject's Social Security Number without dashes or spaces between the digits (i.e. 123445678).
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SEARCH BY PERSON’S NAME AND STATE
Start your search by using a common name only, then narrow results by selecting a state. At times, it is also helpful to search for both the Plaintiff and Defendant. Do not enter middle initials or use punctuation of any type in your entry. Do not search by partial names (i.e. searching by first name "J" for John); however, you may try searching different combinations of commonly abbreviated first names (i.e. Joe for Joseph).
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Helpful Search Tips - Marriage/Divorce Filing Search
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SEARCH BY PERSON’S NAME AND STATE
To maximize returns from your query, it is best to enter very broad search criteria. Start your search by using a last name and state selection, particularly if the name is a less common one. If the number of matches returned is excessive, then narrow results by entering an additional search parameter, such as city. It is also helpful to search on both parties (i.e. bride/groom, husband/wife) to ensure full coverage of filings.
Do not enter middle initials or use punctuation of any type in your entry. Do not search by partial names (i.e. searching by first name "J" for John); however, you may try searching different combinations of commonly abbreviated first names (i.e. Joe for Joseph).
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