How Private Investigators Find People in the UK

January 19, 2022 - Reading time: 7 minutes
Updated on: August 1, 2025

As a leading detective agency based in the UK, we are often instructed by our clients to help find people, and for a wide variety of reasons.

Whether you are looking for someone that owes you money, or an old friend, tenant, business partner or family member, a private investigator or tracing agent may be able to help to locate that individual and provide you with details such as their current address or phone number.

The best path taken in a missing persons case is often dependant on the circumstances. When we are tasked with finding people, the first step is typically to review all of the information that our client has available before deciding the best path forwards in each respective case. 

If you are interested in our people tracing service, then reach out to us for a free consultation. Please include as much information as possible with your inquiry so that we can review the case and offer a free, no obligation quote if we are able to help.

Private investigators can use a range of tactics when searching for missing people. We will explore some of the more common methods which are used by tracing agents and investigators to find people in this article.

1. People tracing using record searches

As a leading detective agency in the UK, we have years of experience in tracing individuals through public record searches. Record searches are one of the most common solutions used by private investigators to trace people in the UK. It is not just having access to the necessary data, but being able to understand and navigate it, that allows investigators to successfully trace people using record searches.

We have invested in the most modern and up-to-date tracing systems available, which combined with our team’s experience in this area, means that we are often able to successfully locate and trace people for our clients.

Whether you need help to locate a debtor, your biological parent, or in any other case, then we can often assist to find the person you are looking for.

Tracing to find a person’s address

The goal for many clients that instruct us in tracing cases is to locate their subject’s current address. In some cases it may also be possible to find the subject’s phone number and other identifying details.

Tracing to find an address from a phone number

Private investigators and tracing agents are often asked to help find addresses using just a phone number. Whether or not this is possible will depend on the type of number provided, which country it belongs to, and what data is available to your investigator.

Specialist databases can sometimes allow investigators to identify a person’s name or address using a phone number alone. These methods are useful in many types of case.

Tracing someone that owes you money

If someone owes you money, then they may feel a sense of security by running away and disappearing. This might seem like an effective tactic – until they are traced by a professional.

Tracing debtors is a common service provided by most tracing agents and private investigators. If someone owes you money, it’s often wise to act sooner rather than later to recover your funds.

Tracing biological parents

Deciding to find your biological parents can be a difficult step. Most people who undertake this search want fast and accurate results, which is why many choose to hire a professional tracing agent with experience in sensitive searches.

Please read our article for more information on how to trace your biological parents in the UK.

Tracing a person’s hidden assets

If someone is hiding assets from you – during divorce proceedings or as part of legal action – an investigator may be able to help identify property or assets that are being concealed.

Asset tracing investigations can be complex. If you need help, include all known details when contacting us.

Tracing a person in the UK

If you need help tracing someone in the UK, please prepare any details relevant to your case. At a minimum, we would usually need their full name, date of birth, and any known previous addresses. The more detail you provide, the better.

Tracing someone internationally

In some cases, we can also assist in locating people who now live outside the UK. Fees vary depending on the country and complexity. Send us the full information and we will provide a free quote if we are able to assist.

2. On the ground investigations

‘On the ground’ techniques – sometimes referred to as fieldwork or social engineering – can be useful when desk-based methods have not delivered results.

For example, in one case we were unable to locate a subject via public records. An agent was deployed to their last known address and, through posing as an old friend and speaking to a neighbour, we successfully obtained the subject’s new address and phone number.

These methods can yield excellent results but are not always predictable – they involve risk, time, and the cost of the agent’s work regardless of the outcome. We’ll always discuss this with you in advance.

3. Internet or social media research

Most people today have multiple social media accounts and leave a clear digital trail. This digital footprint can be used by tracing agents to gather valuable intelligence.

Clues about location, workplace, friends, routines, relationships and even vehicles can often be found just by analysing someone’s online presence. If someone shares enough information about themselves publicly, it may be possible to trace them using surveillance or follow-up fieldwork.

More information

Please visit the PrivateInvestigators-UK homepage for more information about us. We offer free initial consultations for all work – reach out to one of our experienced team members to request a quote or ask any questions.