How Skip Tracing Works: A Plain-English Guide
Sometimes you need to find someone who has moved, gone quiet, or doesn't want to be found. The process professionals use is called skip tracing. This guide explains what it is, how it works, what you'll need to provide, and what it costs — in plain language.
Note: this is a general explainer. Chaney Group focuses on corporate due diligence and open-source research and does not offer person-location services.
What is skip tracing?
Skip tracing is the process of locating a person's current whereabouts using public records and open-source information. The name comes from the idea of tracing someone who has "skipped" — left an address without a forwarding trail. It's used by collections teams, attorneys, process servers, landlords, and estate professionals who need a confirmed, current way to reach a specific individual.
Importantly, legitimate skip tracing relies on lawfully available data — public records, court filings, property and business records, and open-source signals. It does not involve hacking accounts, pretexting for private phone or bank records, or any deception. Those methods are illegal, and a professional will decline them.
How the process works, step by step
1. Establish identity
The first job is making sure we're looking for the right person. Common names produce dozens of matches, so an investigator anchors the search with identifiers you provide — full name, approximate age, a past address, a known relative — to isolate the correct individual before going further.
2. Gather and cross-reference records
Next, the investigator pulls from multiple independent sources — public records databases, property and voter records, court and business filings, and open-source footprints — then cross-references them. A single hit means little; a current address that shows up across several unrelated sources is what builds confidence.
3. Verify before reporting
Data decays fast. People move, numbers get reassigned, records lag. The value of a professional trace is the verification step: confirming that an address or number is actually current rather than a stale record, and flagging the confidence level of each result.
4. Deliver a sourced result
The output is a clean report listing the confirmed contact details, associated relatives or known aliases, and a confidence rating on each finding — with the sourcing behind it.
What skip tracing costs
For a straightforward single-subject locate, flat fees in the range of roughly $75–$150 are typical, with results in a day or two. Costs rise when the subject is deliberately evading, when there are multiple people to find, or when the goal extends beyond contact details into employment or asset identification. Reputable providers quote a fixed fee upfront rather than billing open-ended hourly time.
Is skip tracing legal?
Yes, when it uses lawful data for a legitimate purpose. But there are limits. Information gathered this way usually can't be used for eligibility decisions about credit, employment, insurance, or housing. Those decisions require a separate, compliant process under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Some jurisdictions also require a private investigator license to do location work for hire. A professional confirms both before taking the job.
Frequently asked questions
What is skip tracing?
Locating a person's current whereabouts using public records and open-source information. The name comes from tracing someone who has "skipped" — left an address with no forwarding trail.
Is skip tracing legal?
Yes, when it uses lawful data for a legitimate purpose. It relies on public records and open sources, not hacking or deception. Some jurisdictions require a PI license, and results can't be used for FCRA-covered eligibility decisions without a compliant process.
What information do I need to provide?
The subject's full name and any prior names, an approximate age or date of birth, the last known city, and any old phone, email, or employer details. Even partial information narrows the search.
How much does it cost?
A straightforward single-subject locate typically runs about $75–$150, with results in a day or two. Costs rise when the subject is actively evading or the goal extends into employment or asset identification.
Related reading: what's in a due diligence report, and all Chaney Group insights.
Have a corporate research question?
Chaney Group specializes in corporate due diligence and open-source research on companies and counterparties. Person-location services are not currently offered.
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