What Is a People Search by Address?
Web-based services let interested persons find publicly available information on a house and the known occupants of a specific home. Often referred to as a reverse address lookup, sites that allow users to carry out a people search by address provide essential information like the owner's details or information about present or past residents.
Reverse address lookups are performed for several reasons. Parties may be seeking information regarding a new neighbor or a new prospective home. No matter the reason, an individual who carries out a people search by address can expect to see various types of information, depending on the search engine used. Likewise, persons whose information appears on these sites can request to remove it per state legislation and the site's privacy policy.
People search engines are typically accessed through third-party sources. Third-party people search websites are straightforward to use, and results are not geographically limited. However, third-party people search sites are not government-sponsored. Therefore, agencies cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided.
What Can You Find With a People Search by Address?
The information available to a person performing a people search by address varies based on the source. Individuals who perform a people search by address on a dedicated website can expect to find the property owners' or residents' names. More detailed information is also available, including the phone numbers associated with that address. Generally, a reverse address search provides the following details:
- The owner or current resident's full name
- Contact details
- Date of birth
- Past home addresses
- Social media profiles
Public records may be of particular interest to searchers who perform reverse address lookups. Finding public records through a reverse address search is possible, but may require additional fees. The Federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) dictates that all documents, forms, and records generated or maintained by government agencies be made accessible to the public. Searchers for public records based on information from a reverse address search can expect to see arrest and criminal records, court records, marriage records, and other vital records related to that person.
How To Do a People Search by Address
Parties looking to perform a people search using just an address can find resources online. Upon googling key phrases, such as "reverse address search" or "reverse address lookup," parties are typically presented with many options. Searchers can select the option they want, enter in the known address, and initiate the search. The database will match the address to all available information.
How To Do a Free People Search by Address
Yes, anyone can perform a free reverse address lookup online and obtain some of the details attached to a particular address. However, such searches may yield little detail, and researchers may have to trawl multiple sources to get comprehensive information on an address.
For example, a researcher may find the property owner's full name on one website but may need to search elsewhere to find the property owner's contact details. So, by combing multiple sites individually, the researcher can find all the information associated with a particular address at zero cost. However, performing searches like these take time, and there is no guarantee that the information sought will be readily available. Accessing comprehensive information about an address will typically require the user to pay a service fee.
Is a People Search by Address Legal?
Yes, interested individuals can perform people searches by address, as there is no law preventing it. Performing a reverse address search can bring results such as public records. However, per the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) using the information provided for official purposes such as employment or tenant screening is against the law. Further, researchers cannot use the details they get from a person's search by address to stalk, threaten, or harass anyone living at a particular address. Anyone who breaks the law and attempts to stalk or harass a person they find by address may face criminal charges from federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
How Do People Search Sites by Address Get Your Information?
Typically, reverse address lookup engines collate details by gathering public records like property records, court records, and utility company records. They also get information from websites that collect self-reports. For instance, people may have to supply their name, email, and other details to enter a particular site. These websites may choose to resell that information to people search sites.
How To Remove Your Address From the Internet
An individual who wants their address removed from a people search site by address must either use an opt-out option or personally reach out to the website owners. Most search websites provide an opt-out page where address owners can identify themselves and request their information be removed.
