Address Lookup

What is Address Lookup in United States

The 1974 privacy act of the U.S. (5U.S.C. §552a) outlines the U.S. provision on the use, maintenance, and distribution of personal information, including addresses. According to this law, addresses are considered public information and can be obtained by interested and eligible members of the public. However, there are some restrictions on the commercial or malicious use of address-related information.

An address lookup (sometimes referred to as address validation or address verification) is a search-based application that retrieves information about an address in the United States or its territories. This includes a residential or corporate address, a street or postal/mailing address, and an I.P. (internet protocol) address.

Typically, address lookup software can be found online upon a standard search and may be available to the user at a fee or for free.

Remarkably, many reverse address lookup tools with which interested persons can process a people search query, each providing varied but significant information to the user. These utilities serve several purposes, including helping individuals or businesses authenticate an address, complete address fields, deliver mail, in figuring out how to find someone’s address, and learn more about an address or neighborhood. Essentially, an address lookup ensures that a person is left with accurate and pertinent address records at the end of a search.

What is a Reverse Address Lookup?

Generally speaking, there is no significant difference between a "reverse address lookup," an "address lookup," and a "reverse address search". These three terms are used interchangeably by address lookup service providers to refer to a web-based application program that provides user-friendly, speedy, and anonymous searches to individuals who wish to determine who lives at this address, as well as property-related information.

What Information is Included in a Reverse Address Lookup?

A reverse address lookup is a great way to view publicly available details about an address. Search results from an address lookup ideally comprise the following information:

Ownership data: An address search can reveal who lives at this address or owns a piece of property. For example, the entity's first and last name, phone number, date of birth, age, email address, etc. It can also provide information about past owners or former inhabitants.

In addition, a search can uncover the owner's or resident's previous addresses, relationships (family members/relatives and associates), social media accounts, criminal records, and financial records.

Address or property-related information: This includes:

• The complete address if the search was conducted with other personally identifiable information like a legal name
• Local area code
• The property's year of construction
• A legal description of any property or building situated at the address.
• Property square footage and estimated market value
• Building layout and number of rooms
• Property sale history
• Tax and mortgage information

Some reverse address search tools also disseminate data about a neighborhood, including:

• A neighbor's name, address, age, and criminal background
• Nearby registered sex offenders
• A neighborhood map
• The market value of houses in the neighborhood
• The average income of nearby residents
• Popular places in a neighborhood

How Do I Find Someone's Address in the U.S.?

Interested members of the public may find someone’s address using any of the following options:

By Searching Public Records

Various government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels maintain the personal information of persons within their judicial district - including addresses, where applicable. However, these agencies typically provide address-related information to eligible persons, depending on the public record statutes of the jurisdiction concerned. To find someone's address using public records, interested and eligible persons can query or search the databases of the U.S. Social Security Administration, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the US Postal Service. State and local agencies may also offer online public records searches.

By searching third-party aggregate sites

Several commercial websites offer searchable databases of U.S. addresses. Persons trying to figure out how to find someone's address using one of these databases, interested persons can enter the name of the person they are looking for into the search engine on the website. Some of these websites require a subscription to access their content, while others allow users to access limited information for free. If the process seems tedious, the requesting party may opt to retrieve some contact info via a reverse phone lookup before proceeding with the inquiry.

How to Lookup a Person's Address History

Interested members of the public may look up a person's address history by using the tool available on the website of the U.S. Census Bureau.

• Select "Address Canvassing".
• Choose the relevant state from the resulting list.
• Click on the county where the record owner is resident

They may type in the name of the person or business for whom they want to find an address and click "search". The resulting page will list that person or business's address if it is available through the Census Bureau's website. If no results are found, requestors may attempt a people search using the online directories of any of the neighbouring counties.

Alternatively, requestors may retrieve the desired information by doing a reverse phone number look up through third-party sites. To do a reverse phone number look up, enter the person's phone number into the search bar on one of these websites and click "search".

Requestors may also opt to conduct an email look-up through email-based people search sites. To do a reverse email look-up, the requesting party may enter the person's email into the search bar on one of the site of choice. The resulting page will list that person's residence if it is available.

How to Lookup an Address By Name in the U.S.

When researching a United States address with an online lookup tool, a person will typically have to enter an address (or part of it) into a search bar to pull up related public records. However, when an address is unknown, the individual can search using other details, such as the address owner's name and location (city or state).

Name searches are the more common means to look up a street or physical mailing address in the United States. Armed with a search subject's name, an individual can access the internet through a web browser and navigate to their preferred lookup site. (If the searcher has no particular site in mind, a general search for the best address lookup platforms can be a starting point.) After accessing the lookup software, the next step is to input the information (e.g., a first and last name) where specified and click the search button.

Can I Look-up an Address by Postal Code?

Yes, interested members of the public can use a postal code to lookup an address. However, remember that not all postal codes are associated with a specific address. In some cases, a postal code may only be associated with a general area or neighborhood. If they need a more specific address, they may need to contact the shipping company or the local post office for assistance.

To look up an address by postal code, the interested person can use a Maps application. Requestor may enter the postal code of the location of choice into the map application. By doing so, a map of that area along with some specific residents will be displayed.

It is also possible to find an address by using other websites like USPS (United States Postal Service). The requester must visit their respective official site and follow the given instructions.

Can I Look-up an Address by Licence Plate?

Yes, in most cases, interested and eligible persons can look up the residence of a license plate owner. However, the means available are typically restricted to law enforcement agencies and persons authorized by a court order. Notwithstanding, there are a few ways to retrieve selected information, including online databases and public records.

To lookup an address by license plate online, the requesting party may use a reverse license plate search. This will allow the requestor to input the license plate number and return results with the registered owner's name, and in some cases contact info. The phone numbers retrieved may then be used to complete a phone number search.

Another way to look up an address by license plate is through public records. Interested persons may contact their local DMV or county clerk's office to request information on the registered owner of a vehicle. Keep in mind that there may be specific eligibility requirements to access this service, and requestors will likely be required to pay a nominal fee to have their requests processed.

How Do I Find a Mailing Address in the U.S.?

A mailing address, also called a postal address in the United States, is a location where a person prefers mail (letters, parcels, postcards, packages) to be delivered.

As opposed to a residential and commercial (business) addresses, a mailing address does not have to be where a person physically resides or works. It also does not have to be a geographic or physical location, as seen with a post office (P.O.) box, private mailbox service (PMB), centralized (or community) mailbox, and virtual mailbox.

Usually, the necessity of establishing a mailing address separate from one's home or workplace arises because a mail carrier may not have one's residential/commercial address logged into their address management system or may not be adequately staffed to deliver packages to one's doorstep.

One way to lookup a U.S. mailing address is to use a standard reverse address search tool available online. However, because the functionality of most tools are limited to street addresses, it is may only be applicable to mailing addresses that are also physical addresses.

When the mailing address is a non-physical address (like a mailbox), an individual can try searching with an appropriate tool - for example, a reverse P.O. Box lookup tool - to obtain a physical or forwarding address. Subsequently, one can run a search on that address to find the owner.

However, requestors must note that mail within the U.S. is privacy-protected (see also the United States Postal Service Handbook AS-353). For this reason, it may only be possible to discover the name or residence connected with a U.S. mailbox if the owner or a third party lists the information publicly (like with a business) or if the information is necessary to a legal proceeding. In the latter scenario, the requesting party can visit the post office bearing a court order to look up the mailing address.

How to Verify a Street Address in the U.S.

Individuals can use a free address verification software (otherwise called an address checker or address validation tool/validator) to verify a street address in the United States. Some of these tools are offered by mail carriers, and some are provided by third parties. For example, the United States Postal Services has a suite of tools with which interested persons can verify U.S. addresses. The requestor will need to provide a zip code or related information to use this service.

Address verification is relevant to physical mailing addresses, as it ensures that an address is accurate (i.e., conforms to the approved formatting standards) and that mail can be delivered to it. Other benefits include:

• Helps a person to spot an incorrect or fake address and correct address lists
• Minimizes the chances of a mail carrier delivering a parcel to the wrong address
• Reduces delivery delays
• Limits mail being resent, returned, or forwarded

U.S. Residential Address Lookup

Many U.S. residential address lookup tools are accessible through the internet. These tools can be searched with a house number, street name, city, state, or ZIP code to find public records associated with a homeowner or resident. They may also be useful for finding the current and past owners of a residence.

A residential address refers to the actual site of a person's home. It is the address - the house, flat, or suite number; street name; town or city name; the state - that would be given to a relative, friend, acquaintance, employer, or other entity as being where the individual currently lives, whether temporarily or permanently.

How to Find Free Address Lookup Services

Persons who are looking to conduct a free address lookup typically have limited options. The most obvious is, perhaps, using a Map application. They can go to the website and enter the name of the business or zip code of the residence being sought after. The application will then display a map of the United States with the corresponding locations relevant to the query.

Requestors can also use the U.S. Postal Service search tool. To use this method, simply go to the website and enter in the zipcode or business into the search fields available. The U.S. Postal Service will then display a list of all of the results match the inputted criteria. However, there are hardly any guarantees of finding the right person via these means as the USPS does not share the personal or current contact information of the its consumers.

There are also several third-party aggregate sites that may offer users selected limited details following a people search on their data base. However, the results will likely exclude the record owner's phone numbers. Notwithstanding, a cursory look at the official white pages of the county where the individual is resident may aid the process.

If the information is specifically regarding current or former addresses, the requestor can still glean some information from a free search. This includes:

• The full address
• The square footage of the property at the address
• The year the property was built
• The number of residents
• The number of bedrooms and bathrooms
• The type of house (e.g., single-family house, condo, mobile/manufactured home)
• Average neighborhood statistics (e.g., the average age, property value, household income, and ethnicity of a neighborhood)

How to Complete an I.P. Address Lookup

Much like a reverse address lookup search, an I.P. address lookup allows interested members of the public to obtain important information about a person. Although, in this case, it is the geolocation data linked to a person's I.P. address, which may include:

• A hostname
• Name and version of a web browser
• Internet service provider (ISP)
• Postal/zip code
• City, state, and country
• Latitude and longitude
• Timezone
• The screen resolution of the device

IP address search tools are available to use online. However, there are no government-run data bases that offer this service.

However, individuals must note that there is no guarantee of retrieving 100% accurate information from an I.P. look up, as several factors can influence the results. For example, an internet user may encrypt, hide, or change their I.P. with a proxy or VPN, leaving any searcher to obtain inexact geolocation data.

US Address Lookup with the USPS

The United States Postal Service (USPS), sometimes called the postal service or post office, is a federal government agency and the leading provider of mail processing and delivery services to U.S. citizens.

In executing its duties, the USPS collates mailing addresses (or delivery points) into a database to facilitate prompt mail delivery, among other objectives. This database has over 160 million U.S. postal addresses (residential, business, P.O. Box), and it includes ZIP Code and city information.

Now the USPS does not release the address database to just anybody, nor do they maintain a database of residential/business customers or sell address lists. However, the agency offers APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) and web forms that allow mailers to check the correctness of their addresses against the database, standardize addresses according to USPS guidelines, and update their mailing lists.

An example is the ZIP Code Lookup tool, which helps members of the public lookup residential and corporate street addresses to view a specific ZIP Code. Individuals can also access the ZIP Code Lookup on the USPS website to view addresses in the standard USPS format.

USPS Address Lookup by Name

The United States Postal Service does not provide any tool or application that the public can use to look up a U.S. address by an owner's or resident's name, as the agency does not record customers' names in its database - only postal addresses. These postal addresses correspond to a residential property, commercial building, or other physical location, not a specific individual.

Utility Lookup by Address

In the U.S., a utility lookup assists residents in finding electric, natural gas, water, and other public utilities near them. Ordinarily, a state's Department of Public Utilities, Public Service Commission, or other applicable public body (for example, the Oregon Department of Energy) will offer a utility search feature on its website. Depending on the tool's functionality, an individual may be able to zoom in on a map or search with their address to find a utility provider.

How Does The Consumer Reporting Agency Get My Address?

Per the fair credit reporting act, consumer reporting agencies are authorized to get the addresses of persons from companies that provide them with their credit information. These companies, known as furnishers, are required by law to give their address to the consumer reporting agency if they have it. Additionally, consumer reporting agencies may get addresses from public records. For example, if a person has recently moved, a new address may be included in a change of address directory maintained by the U.S. Postal Service.

Consumer reporting agencies also get addresses from other sources, such as marketing firms. If they have provided their address to a company for marketing purposes, the company may sell or share that information with a consumer reporting agency.

It is important to note that consumer reporting agencies are only required to include their address in a person's credit report if they have it. If they have moved and have not provided a new address to the consumer reporting agency, only previous the records owner previous residence will be displayed in their consumer reports. Additionally, if a person has a P.O. Box or other type of mailing address, that is all that will be included in their credit report.

How to Search Criminal Records by Address

Interested members of the public may search for the criminal record information associated with an address by querying state repositories or using third-party options. To use a third-party search option, the requesting party may be required to provide the information relevant to the address.

After entering the address, users will be given a list of results. These results will include any criminal records that match the address. They can then click on each result to learn more about the case. They should also be able to see how long ago the case was filed, and what the current status is.

Alternatively, interested persons can find a criminal record associated with an address in the US using the US Department of Justice's online database. It is a database of criminal records that is searchable by address. They may also visit the local county courthouse to access public records. Many courthouses maintain databases of criminal records that are available to the public. Alternatively, requestors can also contact the local police department to inquire about any criminal activity associated with an address.

To use the DOJ's criminal records database, go to the website and enter in the address in the search fields. Users will then be able to see any records associated with that residence. If there are no records associated with the address, it will say "No Records Found". If there are, it will list the name of the offender, the offense committed, and the date of the offense.

Can Someone Steal My Identity with My Address?

While it is possible for someone to steal an identity using an address, it is not very likely. Address scams are not as common as other types of identity theft, such as credit card fraud or tax fraud. A scammer can steal an identity using an address by filling out a change of address form with the post office. The scammer will then start to receive mail at the new address.

They can also set up a utility account in the name of the victim and proceed to rack up bills in the victim's name.

How to Avoid Address Scams

To avoid address scams and ensure protection from address-related identity theft, U.S. residents are advised not to open any mail that is not addressed to them. Rather, they must return the mail to the sender. If they have concerns that their address or phone numbers is being used for identity theft, they can also contact the post office and have them put a hold on their mail. This will prevent anyone from using their address to receive mail.

In addition, residents can place a fraud alert on their credit report, which will notify creditors that they should take extra steps to verify their identity before extending credit. They can also review their credit report for any suspicious activity. If they find anything that looks incorrect, they can dispute the information with the credit bureau. Finally, they can file a police report if they believe they have been the victim of identity theft.