Miami Private InvestigationsWhat skip tracing is
Skip tracing is the process of locating a person's current whereabouts by gathering and connecting information from many sources. The term comes from a subject who has 'skipped' town. It is equal parts database work, records research, and old-fashioned field investigation.
Who needs it
Skip tracing is requested by:- Process servers and attorneys who must serve an evasive party
- Creditors and collectors pursuing a judgment
- Families searching for a missing relative or a birth parent
- Landlords and businesses chasing someone who left owing money
How investigators actually find people
A professional combines tools most people cannot access:- Proprietary databases that aggregate address and contact history
- Public records — property, court, business, and licensing filings
- Associates and relatives who lead back to the subject
- Field verification to confirm someone is actually there
The difference between a professional and a free 'people finder' site is verification — confirming the person is really at that address, not just guessing from stale data.
The legal and ethical line
A licensed investigator locates people through lawful sources and for legitimate purposes. Reputable firms will not support stalking, harassment, or violations of a protective order — and will decline work where the intent is unlawful.