How to Find Anyone's Address by Name: 12 Proven Methods That Actually Work in 2025

Hey there! I'm guessing you landed on this article because you're trying to track down someone's address. Maybe it's an old friend you've lost touch with, or perhaps you need to send an important document to a relative whose address you don't have. Whatever your reason, I've been there too.

READ ALSO: EASIEST WAY TO FIND SOMEONE'S INFORMATION ONLINE

A few years back, I was desperately trying to find my college roomate's address to invite him to my wedding. We'd lost touch after graduation, and all I had was his name. It took me days of searching through various websites and tools before I finally found him. That's when I realized how helpful it would be to have all this information in one place.

In this guide, I'll share everything I've learned about finding people's addresses using just their names. I'll cover both free and paid methods, online and offline approaches, and I'll let you know which ones actually work based on my personal experience.

So let's dive in and find that address you're looking for!

Why Would You Need to Find Someone's Address?

Before we get into the how-to, let's talk about why you might need to find someone's address in the first place. There are plenty of legitimate reasons:

• Reconnecting with old friends or classmates
• Sending wedding invitations or holiday cards
• Delivering important documents
• Finding long-lost relatives
• Verifying someone's identity for business purposes
• Sending a surprise gift
• Doing geneological research

Whatever your reason, it's important to remember that with this kind of information comes responsibility. Always respect people's privacy and only use these methods for legitimate purposes.

Free Methods to Find Someone's Address

1. Google Search: The Most Obvious First Step

Let's start with the most basic approach: a good old Google search. This might seem too obvious, but you'd be surprised how often this works!

Try searching for the person's full name in quotation marks (like "John Smith") along with any other information you know about them - their city, profession, or workplace.

For example: "John Smith" "Seattle" "accountant"

If the person has any kind of online presence - a LinkedIn profile, a business website, or social media accounts - there's a chance Google will turn up something useful.

Pro tip: Use Google's search operators to narrow down results. Try searching for the person's name plus "address" or "contact information" in quotes.

I recently needed to find my old high school teacher's address to send her a thank you note. A simple Google search with her name and the school she taught at led me to the school's directory page, which listed her contact information. Sometimes it really is that easy!

2. Social Media: A Goldmine of Information

Social media platforms can be incredbly useful for finding people's addresses or at least narrowing down their location.

Facebook:

• Check if you have mutual friends who might know their address
• Look at their profile for location information
• Check any public posts for location tags
• Look at event check-ins or photos they're tagged in

Instagram:

• People often tag their location in posts
• Check their bio for location information
• Look through comments for any mentions of where they live

LinkedIn:

• Many professionals list their general location on their profile
• Check their current employer's location

While most people don't post their exact address publicly (and for good reason!), these platforms can at least help you narrow down their location to a city or neighborhood.

3. White Pages and Online Directories

Remember phone books? They're mostly online now, but they still exist and can be really helpful! Here are some popular online directories:

• Whitepages.com
• TruePeopleSearch.com
• ZabaSearch.com
• 411.com
• AnyWho.com

These websites function as digital phone books where you can search for people by name and location. The basic search is usually free, though you might have to pay for complete information.

How to use them:

1. Enter the person's first and last name
2. Add their city or state if you know it
3. Review the results, which often include age, possible relatives, and last known addresses

My experience: I've had mixed results with these. They're most accurate for people who have lived at the same address for a long time. For younger people who move frequently, the information can be outdated.

4. Property Records and Public Records

One of the most reliable ways to find someone's address is through public property records. If the person owns a home, this information is usually publicly available.

Here's how to access property records:

1. Visit your county's assessor, recorder, or property appraiser website
2. Look for a property search or real estate records section
3. Search by the person's name
4. Review any properties listed under their name

Other public records that might contain address information include:

• Voter registration records
• Court records
• Marriage and divorce records
• Business registrations
• Professional licenses

These records are all maintained by government agencies and are considered public information in most cases. The exact process for accessing them varies by location, but most counties now have online databases.

5. Reverse Email or Phone Lookup

If you have the person's email address or phone number, you can try a reverse lookup. Several websites offer this service:

• Spokeo
• BeenVerified
• Intelius
• PeopleFinder

How it works:

1. Enter the email address or phone number you have
2. The service searches its databases for matching records
3. If found, it may show the person's name, address, and other contact information

Many of these services offer a limited free search but charge for complete information.

Paid Methods to Find Someone's Address

If the free methods aren't working, or if you need more reliable information, you might want to consider paid options.

1. People Search Services

There are several companies that specialize in people searches and background checks. These services aggregate data from multiple sources and can often provide comprehensive information.

Popular people search services include:

• Intelius
• BeenVerified
• Spokeo
• TruthFinder
• Instant Checkmate

These services typically charge either a one-time fee or a subscription. Prices usually range from $10 to $50 depending on how much information you want.

What you might get:

• Current and past addresses
• Phone numbers
• Email addresses
• Social media profiles
• Relatives and associates
• Criminal records
• Property records

My experience: I've used BeenVerified a couple times, and while it wasn't perfect, it did provide accurate address information for about 75% of the people I searched for. It was worth the money when I really needed to find someone important.

2. Hire a Private Investigator

If you've tried everything else and still can't find the person, hiring a private investigator might be your best option. This is especially true if:

• The person is deliberately hiding their address
• You need the information for legal purposes
• You need absolute certainty that the address is correct and current

Private investigators have access to databases and resources that aren't available to the general public. They also know how to use public information more effectively.

Cost: Private investigators typically charge between $50 and $200 per hour, with the average address search taking 1-5 hours depending on the difficulty.

3. Skip Tracing Services

Skip tracing is the process of locating a person who has "skipped town" or otherwise made themselves hard to find. While this term is often associated with debt collection, skip tracing services are available to anyone.

Skip tracers use a combination of:

• Database searches
• Public records
• Credit reports
• Social media analysis
• Reference checks
• Field investigations

This is typically more expensive than a simple people search but less expensive than hiring a full private investigator.

READ ALSO: EASY WAYS TO FIND SOMEONE'S INFORMATION ONLINE

Offline Methods to Find Someone's Address

Not everything has to be done online! Here are some traditional methods that still work:

1. Ask Mutual Contacts

Sometimes the simplest approach is the best. If you and the person you're looking for have friends, relatives, or colleagues in common, try asking them for the address.

Approach this carefully:

• Explain why you need the address (be honest!)
• Offer to have the mutual friend pass along your contact information instead
• Respect their decision if they don't want to share the information

2. Alumni Associations

If you and the person attended the same school or university, the alumni association might be able to help. Many schools maintain address databases of former students and can forward mail or messages without revealing the person's address directly.

Contact your alumni office and ask about their policy for connecting former students.

3. Professional Organizations

If the person belongs to a professional organization or trade association, they might be listed in a member directory. Some examples include:

• Bar associations for lawyers
• Medical associations for doctors
• Engineering societies
• Real estate boards
• Chambers of commerce

These organizations often publish member directories that include contact information.

4. USPS Mail Forwarding

If you have an old address for the person, you can try sending mail with "Address Service Requested" written under the return address on the envelope.

How it works:

• If the person has filed a change of address form, the USPS will forward your mail to their new address
• The USPS will also send you a notification with the person's new address

This method costs just the price of a stamp, but it only works if the person has filed a change of address form with the USPS within the last 18 months.

Tips for Successful Address Searches

Over the years, I've learned a few tricks that make finding addresses much easier:

Gather as Much Information as Possible First

Before you start searching, collect any information you already have about the person:

• Full legal name (including middle name if known)
• Any previous names (maiden names, former married names)
• Approximate age or date of birth
• Names of relatives
• Previous cities or states where they've lived
• Current or former employers
• Schools they attended
• Military service information

The more information you have, the easier your search will be.

Use Multiple Methods

Don't rely on just one approach. Try several of the methods I've described above and cross-reference the results. This will help you confirm that you've found the right person and the correct address.

Watch Out for Common Names

If the person you're looking for has a common name like "John Smith" or "Maria Rodriguez," your search will be more challenging. In these cases, you'll need to use additional identifiers like age, location, or names of relatives to narrow down the results.

Verify the Information

Once you think you've found the right address, try to verify it before using it. Some ways to verify an address:

• Cross-check it with information from another source
• Look up the address on Google Maps to confirm it exists
• Check property records to see who owns the property
• Send a postcard asking the recipient to confirm their identity

Be Aware of Privacy Concerns

It's important to respect people's privacy and use this information responsibly. Here are some guidelines:

• Only search for addresses for legitimate purposes
• Don't share the person's address with others without permission
• Be transparent about why you're looking for their address
• Accept that some people prefer to keep their address private

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Finding someone's address isn't just about knowing the right techniques—it's also about doing it legally and ethically.

Is it Legal to Look Up Someone's Address?

Generally speaking, yes, it's legal to search for publicly available information about another person, including their address. Public records are, by definition, available for anyone to access.

However, there are important exceptions:

• Using the information for harassment, stalking, or other illegal purposes is obviously illegal
• Some states have restrictions on how public information can be used
• Certain people (like victims of domestic violence) may have their addresses protected by law
• Accessing private databases without authorization is illegal

When Not to Search for Someone's Address

There are certain situations where you should reconsider searching for someone's address:

• If they've explicitly asked you not to contact them
• If you're looking for the address to settle a personal dispute
• If your interest is based purely on curiosity rather than a legitimate need
• If the person has taken steps to keep their address private

Respecting Opt-Out Requests

Many people-search websites allow individuals to opt out and have their information removed. If someone has gone to the trouble of opting out of these databases, they clearly value their privacy, and this should be respected.

Special Cases: Finding Addresses for Specific Groups

Some groups are harder to find than others. Here are some tips for special cases:

• Finding Military Personnel
• Active-duty military personnel can be difficult to locate because they move frequently and may be deployed overseas. However, you can:
• Contact the Red Cross Emergency Communications Center (for emergencies only)
• Write to the person via their unit's APO/FPO address
• Reach out to veterans' organizations if the person is a veteran

Finding College Students

College students often have both a permanent address (usually their parents' home) and a temporary address at school. To find a college student:

• Contact the university's registrar office (though they may not release information due to FERPA)
• Look for them in the student directory (if public)
• Connect through alumni associations

Finding Elderly Relatives

Elderly relatives who may have moved to retirement communities or nursing facilities can sometimes be difficult to locate. Try:

1. Checking with other family members
2. Contacting senior centers in the area where they last lived
3. Searching Medicare's Nursing Home Compare tool if you think they may be in a nursing facility

What to Do When All Else Fails

So you've tried everything and still can't find the person's address. Don't give up just yet! Here are some last-resort options:

Social Media Outreach

If you can't find the person directly, consider putting out a call on social media. Post something like: "Trying to reconnect with [Name] from [Place/Time]. If anyone is in touch with them, please let them know I'm looking for them."

This approach respects the person's privacy by letting them decide whether to contact you.

Newspaper Ads

It may seem old-fashioned, but placing an ad in the classifieds section of a newspaper in the area where you think the person lives can sometimes work. This is especially useful for reaching older individuals who may not use the internet regularly.

Radio Announcements

Some local radio stations will run announcements to help people reconnect. This works best in smaller communities.

Online Forums and Community Groups

Post in online forums or community groups related to the person's interests, profession, or hometown. Someone in these communities might know how to reach them.

Professional Networking Events

If you're looking for someone in your professional field, attend industry conferences or networking events where they might be present.

Conclusion

Finding someone's address with just their name can be challenging, but it's definitely possible with the right approach. From free methods like Google searches and social media to paid services like people search websites and private investigators, you have many options available.

Remember to always start with the simplest methods before moving on to more complex or expensive approaches. And most importantly, always use this information responsibly and respect people's privacy.

I hope this guide helps you find the person you're looking for! Good luck with your search, and feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions or tips of your own to share.

FAQs

Is it legal to search for someone's address online?

Yes, it's generally legal to search for publicly available information about a person, including their address. However, how you use that information matters. Using it for harassment, stalking, or other illegal purposes is against the law.

What's the most reliable way to find someone's address?

Property records are usually the most reliable source if the person owns a home. For renters, people-search services that aggregate data from multiple sources tend to be more reliable.

How much do address lookup services typically cost?

Prices vary, but most people-search services charge between $10 and $50 depending on how much information you want. Some offer subscriptions around $20-25 per month for unlimited searches.

Can I find someone's address completely for free?

Yes, it's possible to find someone's address for free using methods like Google searches, social media, free white pages sites, and public records. However, free methods might not be as comprehensive or up-to-date as paid services.

How recent is the address information I'll find online?

It depends on the source. Public records like property records are usually fairly current. People-search websites update their databases regularly, but there can still be a lag of several months. Free resources might have information that's several years old.

What information do I need besides a name to find someone's address?

Additional information like the person's age, previous cities they've lived in, names of relatives, or their profession can help narrow down your search, especially if they have a common name.

How long does it typically take to find someone's address?

Simple searches can take just minutes if the person has an uncommon name or significant online presence. More complicated searches might take several hours or even days of research across multiple platforms.

What should I do if I find multiple possible addresses for someone?

Try to verify which address is current by cross-referencing with other sources, checking when the information was last updated, or looking for other clues like property records or voter registration data.

Are there people whose addresses I won't be able to find?

Yes. People who are very privacy-conscious, individuals in witness protection programs, celebrities who use LLCs to own property, and those who have opted out of data brokers may have addresses that are very difficult or impossible to find.

Is it better to hire a private investigator instead of doing the search myself?

It depends on your situation. If you need the information for legal purposes, if time is of the essence, or if you've already tried searching without success, a private investigator might be worth the expense. For simple searches, starting with free or low-cost methods is usually best.