There are various reasons people want to find someone. Some may be trying to find an old friend they grew up with and went to school with. They want to find their contact information and all the information they have is a name and the school they went to.1 If you’re also looking for methods to find an individual with just a name, you’ve come to the right place. This article is your comprehensive guide to conducting a public records search to unearth valuable information about individuals.
How to find person by name
Method 1: Conduct a Google Search
To initiate your search for an individual, Google is your initial destination. Even with just a name, you can uncover a plethora of information. Here’s how to make the most of this search engine:
- Enter the person’s name in quotation marks and add relevant details such as their birthplace to narrow down your search. However, if the name is common, be prepared to sift through multiple pages to locate the person you’re seeking.
If a Google search doesn’t yield much results, don’t fret! Below are some other methods you can try.
Method 2: Search on Facebook
As one of the largest social networking sites, Facebook is a likely platform for locating the person you’re looking for. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Visit facebook.com and log in to your account.
- Input the person’s name into the search field located in the top-left corner and hit Enter.
- Utilize the People filter to refine your search results.
- Click on the person’s profile once you find it. If you’re on their profile page, select About to potentially access contact information and relationship status. However, please note that some users may have made this information private.
It’s worth mentioning that not everyone uses their real names on Facebook, so you might need to explore potential usernames as well.
Method 3: Search on LinkedIn
LinkedIn, a leading professional network, often includes contact information on user profiles. Here’s how to use LinkedIn for your search:
- Go to linkedin.com and log in.
- Enter the person’s name in the search field in the top-left corner and press Enter.
- Select the People filter to narrow down results.
- Click on the person’s profile and then select Contact info.
Method 4: Use a Dedicated People Finder
For the most effective and confidential search, consider using dedicated people finder services. They allow users to search for an individual’s information using a name, phone number, email address, and even by a social media username. In one example, a user wrote a post on the forum, trying to help his/her friend find her deceased uncle’s son, whom she has never met. And the information they have is the full name, date of birth, as well as a previous address.2 They could run a people search with some online services, which may help them find contact information, as well as other details.
Below are three reputable options:
a. BeenVerified People Search
BeenVerified offers a subscription-based service with a range of features for comprehensive searches. You can search for someone by name, and perform a reverse phone lookup, email lookup, or address lookup, all while maintaining confidentiality.
To find a person by name on BeenVerified, follow these steps:
- Visit BeenVerified’s people search page.
- Enter the person’s name into the box and click SEARCH. Utilize available details such as birthplace to refine your search.
- Once you find the person, click to view their report. Here, you’ll find various details, including physical addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and possible relatives.
If you encounter any challenges while using BeenVerified, their support team is available:
- Tel: 1-866-855-6480
- Email: support@beenverified.com
b. TruthFinder People Search
Rated A+ by the BBB, TruthFinder is a legitimate people search tool that offers comprehensive reports on individuals in the United States by name, phone number, or email address.
It crawls through millions of public records and compiles this information in one easy-to-understand report. This can include, when available:
- Contact information
- Criminal and traffic records
- Assets
- Bankruptcy information and liens
- Professional licenses & permits
- Social media profiles
- Location information and history
- Other public records
Below is how you can search for someone’s whereabouts on TruthFinder:
- Go to TruthFinder’s Public Records Search page.
- Enter the person’s name into the search box and click SEARCH NOW.
- Patiently wait for TruthFinder to compile information about your search subject.
- Once a report is ready, you’ll need to select a membership plan to view it. Your report may contain various information categories.
For assistance with your TruthFinder searches, contact their customer support:
- Tel: (855) 921-3711
- TruthFinder Contact Us: https://www.truthfinder.com/contact/
c. Spokeo Search by Name
Another legitimate people finder you can use to track down someone is Spokeo. It allows you to get accurate and precise information about an individual with a few clicks. Additionally, it’s known for unlocking hidden social media profiles. Therefore, if you expect to have a better understanding of an individual’s social media life, definitely use Spokeo to help you out:
- Visit Spokeo’s people search page.
- Input the person’s name into the box and click SEARCH NOW.
- Spokeo will swiftly generate a user-friendly report containing comprehensive information.
For inquiries or assistance while using Spokeo, reach out to their support team:
- Tel: 1-888-271-9562
- Email: customercare@spokeo.com
So these are the sites you may want to try. A Reddit user was wondering if he/she can get in touch with an old friend via phone when they only have the search subject’s full name and address.3 After reading this guide, you may find that it’s possible, either through manual searches or with the help of a people search site.
- [wendyjones]. (2023, November 30). [Online forum post]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/wendyjones.ej/posts/3657056944538055?ref=embed_post ↩︎
- [r03ix9A]. (2019, May 25). Searching for Wayne Guy Foss in Wisconsin? (location, phone, neighborhood). [Online forum post]. City-Data.com. https://www.city-data.com/forum/people-search/3050185-searching-wayne-guy-foss-wisconsin.html ↩︎
- r/questions [LeagueTasty]. (2023, May 03). Is there a way to find someone’s phone number with only there full name and address? [Online forum post]. Reddit.
https://www.reddit.com/r/questions/comments/1364lo2/is_there_a_way_to_find_someones_phone_number_with/ ↩︎
*featured image: Pexels EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA
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