How to find people and search public records by name
Courts, county offices and state agencies keep records that are open to the public, and many of them can be searched by name. This guide explains how name searches work, what a people search report can include and how to use one responsibly. To start a search, enter a first name, last name and state below.
How it works
Enter a name and state
Type the first and last name of the person you want to look up and choose the state where you think they live or lived.
Continue to the search service
You are taken to a third-party people search service that compiles publicly available records and shows possible matches.
Review and decide
If you find the right person, you can choose to purchase a report on that service's site. Always confirm important details with the original source.
What a people search can include
People search reports bring together public records and other publicly available data. What appears depends on the person, the state and the records available, so every item below is shown only where available.
Contact information
Possible phone numbers and email addresses associated with the person, where available.
Address history
Current and past addresses drawn from public and commercial records, where available.
Relatives and associates
Possible family members, household members and other associated people, where available.
Social profiles
Social media and online profiles that may be linked to the person, where available.
Court and criminal records
Court cases and criminal records from jurisdictions that make them public, where available.
Other public records
Records such as property ownership or business filings, where available.
Legitimate reasons to search for someone
People search is meant for personal research. Common reasons include:
- Reconnecting with old friends or family: find a classmate, former neighbor or relative you have lost touch with.
- Verifying someone before meeting: confirm that a person from an online marketplace or dating app is who they say they are.
- Researching an unknown contact: learn more about who is behind an unfamiliar name, number or message.
- Getting to know a new neighbor or business contact: confirm basic details about someone you are starting to deal with.
Using search results to harass, stalk or intimidate anyone is illegal and is prohibited by the search service's terms.
FCRA notice
Important: The search service is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). You may not use it to make decisions about employment, tenant screening, credit, insurance, or any other eligibility purpose.
Learn more in our guide: What is the FCRA and why people search sites can't be used for screening.
Tips for better results
- Use the legal first name. Records are usually filed under a legal name, so try "Robert" as well as "Bob."
- Try former names. Search maiden or previous married names, and alternate spellings.
- Pick the most likely state. Choose where the person lives now or lived most recently, then try other states they are connected to.
- Confirm with two or more details. Match age, middle name, past cities or relatives before deciding you have the right person.
- Check the original source. For anything important, look up the record with the court or county office that keeps it. Our guide on how to search public records by name shows where to look.
Frequently asked questions
Is Find People Guide a government website?
No. Find People Guide is an independent educational website operated by Costa Launch LLC. We are not a government agency, and neither is the third-party search service our form links to. Official records are kept by courts and government offices, which you can also search directly.
What can a people search report include?
Depending on the person and the state, a report may include contact information, address history, possible relatives and associates, social profiles and court or criminal records, where available. Coverage varies, some details may be outdated and no report is guaranteed to contain any particular record.
Do I have to pay for a report?
Yes. Reports are paid products sold by the third-party search service. Pricing and any membership terms are shown on that service's website before you buy, so please review them carefully. Find People Guide does not process payments.
Can I use a report to screen a tenant, job applicant or borrower?
No. The search service is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Its reports may not be used for decisions about employment, tenant screening, credit, insurance or any other eligibility purpose.
Do you store the names I search?
No. When you submit the form, the first name, last name and state you entered are added to the link that takes you to the third-party service, so it can start your search. That information passes through the affiliate network that tracks referrals. We do not keep a copy of your searches on our servers.
How can I limit what others can find about me?
Most people search sites and data brokers offer an opt-out process, and there are other steps you can take, such as tightening social media settings and freezing your credit. Our guide on protecting your information online walks through them.
Search public records by name
Enter a first name, last name and state to continue to a third-party people search service. Results vary by person and state.
Start a name searchHelpful guides
Practical reads on public records, online safety and privacy.
About this site
Find People Guide (findpeopleguide.com) is an educational resource operated by Costa Launch LLC. We publish practical guidance on public records, people search and online privacy for people in the United States. Our search form links to a third-party people search service, and we may earn a commission when you purchase a report through that link. We are not a government agency and we do not provide reports ourselves.
Questions? See Contact, Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.