What Is Skip Tracing and When Do Process Servers Use It?
Finding someone who does not want to be found can be one of the biggest challenges in the legal industry. Whether it involves serving court papers, locating a witness, or tracking down someone who moved without leaving a forwarding address, this is where skip tracing becomes important.
For a professional process server, skip tracing is often the key to completing successful legal document delivery. But what exactly does skip tracing involve, and when is it used?
Skip tracing is the process of locating a person whose whereabouts are unknown. The word “skip” refers to someone who has “skipped town” or intentionally become difficult to locate, while “tracing” refers to the investigative work used to find them.
A process server may skip tracing when a defendant, witness, tenant, or other individual cannot be reached at their last known address. This method combines public records research, database searches, and investigative techniques to uncover updated contact information.
Skip tracing is commonly used in:
Child support enforcement
Witness location services
According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), debt collectors and investigators often use skip tracing tools to locate individuals who have relocated or changed contact information. This highlights how widely used the practice is across legal and financial industries.
Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
How Does Skip Tracing Work?
Skip tracing involves gathering and analyzing information from multiple sources. A skilled process server will often verify data carefully to improve the chances of successful service.
Some common skip tracing methods include:
1. Public Records Searches
Process servers may review:
Property ownership records
Marriage and divorce records
These records can provide clues about a person’s current address or recent activity.
Professional skip tracers often use specialized databases that compile information such as:
3. Social Media and Online Activity
Many people unintentionally reveal their location online. Platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram may provide useful details about workplaces, cities, or daily routines.
4. Contacting Known Associates
In some cases, a process server may legally contact neighbors, employers, or relatives to confirm whether someone still resides at a certain location.
However, ethical and legal guidelines must always be followed during these investigations.
When Does a Process Server Use Skip Tracing?
Skip tracing is usually used when traditional service attempts fail. Here are some of the most common situations where a process server relies on it.
People frequently relocate without updating their address. If legal documents are sent to an outdated location, skip tracing helps uncover the new address.
The Person Is Avoiding Service
Some individuals intentionally avoid answering the door or providing accurate contact information once they learn about legal action. Skip tracing helps locate alternate addresses, workplaces, or schedules.
Incomplete or Incorrect Information Was Provided
Sometimes clients only have limited details, such as an old phone number or partial address. A process server can use skip tracing to fill in the missing pieces.
Businesses or Witnesses Need to Be Located
Skip tracing is not limited to individuals. It can also help locate dissolved businesses, hard-to-find witnesses, or former tenants involved in legal disputes.
Why Skip Tracing Matters in Legal Cases
Proper service of process is critical because courts generally require proof that all parties were notified about legal proceedings. If service is not completed correctly, a case may face delays or dismissal.
The American Bar Association notes that due process requires individuals to receive proper notice before legal action proceeds. That makes accurate location services extremely important in civil litigation.
Source: American Bar Association (ABA)
Effective skip tracing helps:
Improve successful service rates
Save time and legal expenses
Support compliance with court requirements
For attorneys, landlords, and businesses, working with an experienced process server can make a significant difference when locating difficult individuals.
Yes, skip tracing is legal when performed within federal and state laws. Professional process servers must comply with privacy regulations and avoid harassment, intimidation, or illegal surveillance methods.
Legitimate skip tracing relies on lawful access to records and ethical investigative practices.
Choosing the Right Process Server for Skip Tracing
Not all process servers offer the same level of investigative support. If skip tracing may be necessary, it is important to choose a company with:
Experience handling evasive individuals
Access to reliable databases
Strong communication and documentation practices
An experienced process server understands how to balance persistence with professionalism while ensuring legal compliance.
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Need a Reliable Process Server Las Vegas?
When legal documents need to reach the right person quickly and professionally, working with a trusted team matters. Reno Carson Messenger Service, Inc. provides dependable support for attorneys, businesses, landlords, and individuals who need experienced process serving and skip tracing assistance.
Whether someone has moved, is avoiding service, or simply cannot be located, the company’s knowledgeable team can help streamline the process. If you are searching for a reliable process server Las Vegas, Reno Carson Messenger Service, Inc. offers professional service backed by experience and attention to detail.
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