Finding a witness, a debtor, or a party to a case often starts with a simple question: where is this person now? A name typed into a search engine rarely produces an answer you can rely on. Online results are often outdated, mixed with people who share the same name, or based on addresses the person left years ago.

What professional skip tracing uses

A professional locate investigation draws on multiple sources and compares them against each other, including:

• Public records and court filings
• Property and vehicle registrations
• Business and licensing records
• Licensed investigative databases, accessed for a permissible purpose

Each source has gaps. The value comes from comparing them, identifying the most current and consistent information, and recognizing when a result belongs to someone else.

Verification is the difference

A database result is a lead, not a confirmed address. Where the assignment calls for it, a locate is verified against current, on-the-ground sources before it is reported as confirmed. Horizon’s reports distinguish confirmed findings from possible addresses and unresolved leads, so you know exactly how much weight each result can carry.

Record access is changing

The information available to investigators is shifting. Clean Slate laws in states such as New York and Pennsylvania now automatically seal many older convictions and non-conviction records, and other states are moving in the same direction. New privacy laws are also limiting what commercial data sources can keep. As databases become less complete, experienced research and verification matter more.

Choosing the right scope

Not every locate needs the same level of work. Some assignments only need a current address confirmed. Others call for a fuller investigation with field verification. Horizon works with each client to define the right scope for the purpose, deadline, and budget. Learn more about our Locate and Records Research services.

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