Turning towards the internet for answers on almost any topic that comes to mind has been more of a norm since its inception. The internet has become the world’s source of information and reliable search tool. This is also true when it comes to finding information on people. People have relied on it for all types of people searches. However, it is important to know how and where to look as you seek information. This article will be a guide on how to find previous addresses for free.
There are countless reasons that may push you to find an old address. You might be looking to complete certain documents or a particular application that needs you to provide your previous addresses. A lot of people do move around for a number of reasons too. This may lead you to not recall all the addresses you have been to previously.
The need then arises that you find a place that would have all these addresses listed for you. It is not easy to go through all the old letters and emails you received trying to find all the addresses you previously lived in.
It’s also possible that you might be looking to find previous addresses of someone else. Employers and landlords are some of the people who normally need previous addresses for background check purposes. This is in order to verify the details with them to enable them to make informed decisions about the person in question.
There are also people who search for previous addresses as means to find out more about new people in their lives such as new neighbors, and new partners for example.
You can find previous addresses for free online from a number of sources. A few of them are discussed below.
Credit Report
A credit report can be a source for previous address information. Every individual is allowed by law to perform one credit report search every year for free using the three leading credit report agencies. These agencies are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
It is also possible that your credit report won’t have all the previous addresses in it.
You can request your credit report by visiting annualcreditreport.com. Upon reaching the site, tap on the ‘Request Yours Now!’ function. Next, complete the form provided to you which will need you to fill in your Social Security Number and date of birth.
Then choose the number of reports you need. There will be questions that you will need to give answers to which are meant to verify your identity.
The types of addresses that come with a credit report are those that were used for mail and those that were given in a credit account against that particular name. It’s possible to have some details missing from credit reports as not all information is made available by creditors to the three major consumer credit bureaus.
It may prove impossible to locate previous addresses of people using credit reports if they are still a minor. This is because minors do not have a credit history unless they are authorized users on their parents’ credit accounts or are identity theft victims.
Tax Records
It is recommended by the IRS that the past tax returns for the last three years be kept safe. You can check them to find your previous addresses, that is if you kept them. You can make a request for a transcript or copy from the IRS if you lost or misplaced them.
Transcripts of your tax returns are free to obtain. This can be achieved by visiting the IRS website on the Get Transcript page. They will be made quickly available to you online with personal information plus the addresses. However, the transcripts will have information for the current year and the past three years.
Free transcripts are normally redacted by the IRS as a security measure. This might make them impossible to use at times. You will only be able to view the first six characters of the past address for example. It would be a plus if you are able to recognize it.
Another way to obtain your tax records would be to get in touch with the IRS and request copies of your tax returns. To obtain a copy of your past returns, you will need to complete the Form 4506 which is found on the IRS website. You will have to pay $50.00 for this service. It is possible to get copies of your tax returns for the current year and also the past six years from here.
People Search Sites
You can also use people search sites to find previous address information online. These are sites that are solely dedicated to gathering and providing information on people online.
You can perform a lookup on the site with a full name and location. Results from free searches are minimal whereas results from a paid lookup are more comprehensive. Be cautious of sites that will require you to provide your personal information before performing a search. Try to learn more about a site before embarking on a search on it.
Recommended sites to try out are; Been Verified, Spokeo, Truth Finder, and Public Records Review. These are reputable sites and they come highly recommended by users.
With these methods on how to find previous addresses for free, you stand a chance of locating them. If the free suggestions do not provide the desired outcome, you can opt for the paid services.