Trace a person in The UK

At UKPI, we trace a person by using as much information about them as you’re able to give us – this will be shared during or following our initial consultation, when we’ve got the thumbs up to begin the search. We employ some classic investigative techniques alongside our access to online databases that can return further details on a person using just a basic identifier.

Our experience means you won’t be waiting long for the information you need, but while you are, we’ll keep in regular contact to update you on our progress, before providing you with a full report that’s guaranteed for 30 days.

Who can we help you trace?

Tracing isn’t just for debt recovery or legal matters—we assist with a wide array of situations that require finding people from your past or present. Whether you’re hoping to reconnect, need someone located for legal reasons, or are searching for family history, our services are tailored to handle a diverse range of tracing needs.

Some of the people we can help you find include:

• Biological parents – For those searching for birth parents or family connections.
• Distant relatives and beneficiaries – Common in genealogy research or when settling wills and probate.
• Old colleagues and friends – Perfect for reconnecting after years apart, or tracing contacts for business references.
• Lost siblings or family members – When you want to rebuild family ties or fill in gaps in your genealogy.
• Missing persons – From those who have voluntarily lost contact to people you are concerned about.
• Debtors – Individuals who owe you money, whether as private individuals or on behalf of a business.
• Tenants – Useful for landlords seeking tenants who have moved out without notice.
• Witnesses or persons for legal matters – Serving documents or securing statements for court involvement.
• Old flames – Whether curiosity or a second chance is your motivation, we can help you find important people from your past.
• International contacts – We’re also equipped to handle tracing requests that cross international borders.

No matter your reason—personal or professional—our team is ready to assist in finding the person you’re searching for, with discretion and accuracy at the heart of our approach.

What are the fees for different tracing services?

Our tracing fees are designed to be straightforward, with costs varying based on the complexity and type of enquiry:

• Tracing from a recent address (within the last 10 years): Typically priced at £120.00, this is our standard tracing service when your information is reasonably up to date.

• Tracing from an older or unknown address: If the address on record is more than 10 years old, or you have very limited information, pricing may differ. Contact us for a bespoke quote based on your specific circumstances.

• Doorstep trace: For situations requiring in-person verification—where one of our investigators visits the address—a doorstep trace is available from £120.00.

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No Trace Report:
In cases such as divorce or probate, courts occasionally require a comprehensive report documenting all steps taken if a trace proves unsuccessful. This document can be provided for £55 + VAT, covering the preparation and research time needed to meet legal requirements.

If you have any questions about which service is right for you, or would like a detailed quote, please get in touch and we’ll happily guide you through the options.

What happens if the person cannot be found (no trace report)?

If, after a thorough search using every resource and investigative method available, we’re unable to locate the person in question, we’ll provide you with a detailed ‘No Trace’ report. This report outlines all the steps taken during the investigation, which is often required for legal matters such as divorce or probate cases. Although we typically operate on a success-only fee basis, a modest charge may apply to cover the preparation of these comprehensive reports, especially where courts require formal documentation. Rest assured, you’ll know exactly what actions were undertaken in your case, providing useful evidence should you need to demonstrate your efforts to a court or official body.

What to Consider Before Choosing a Tracing Service

Before you hire a professional tracing service, it’s important to do a bit of detective work yourself. Here are a few key things to look out for:

• Credentials and Experience: Make sure the agency or investigator is reputable and experienced in tracing work. Look for membership in respected industry organisations, such as the Association of British Investigators (ABI), and check client reviews or testimonials to get a sense of their track record.

• Legal and Ethical Practices: Reputable professionals will only use legal methods—public records, open-source intelligence, and ethical investigative techniques. Avoid any service that promises results through dubious means.

• Transparency About Methods and Pricing: Ask up front about their approach to tracing, as well as the costs involved. Reliable services are transparent about what you’ll pay and will advise you of likely outcomes before you commit.

• Data Protection and Confidentiality: Trustworthy agencies will have robust policies around data security and privacy, ensuring that your information—and that of the person being traced—is handled with care and in line with GDPR and other regulations.

A good tracing service will answer your questions clearly, explain their process, and put your mind at ease before you take the plunge.

What is included in a tracing report?

When you request a tracing report from us, you’ll receive a comprehensive summary of our findings. This typically includes:

• The latest verified address of the person you’re looking for

• Any available contact information, such as phone numbers and email addresses

• Additional relevant details we uncover during our search

Our tracing reports are designed to be clear and actionable, giving you everything you need to take the next step—whether that’s reaching out, pursuing legal action, or simply gaining peace of mind. Each report is backed by our thirty-day guarantee, so you know the information is fresh and reliable.

What is a doorstep trace and what does it involve?

A doorstep trace is a more hands-on approach to locating someone when standard searches haven’t yielded results or when confirmation of their current address is crucial. In this service, a professional investigator conducts manual research using all available in-house resources and then personally visits the last known address or potential locations to verify the subject’s residency.

Here’s what’s typically involved:

• A trained investigator follows up on leads and information you’ve provided, as well as any fresh intelligence gathered during the search.

• The core aim is to confirm, in person, whether the individual resides at a particular address.

• The process usually takes between 10 to 20 working days from instruction to completion.

• If you need photographic or video evidence of the visit, this can usually be arranged for an additional fee.

• All inclusive pricing is standard—the quoted fee generally covers the entire service, so you won’t encounter hidden costs such as mileage or refreshments.

• Once the investigation is complete and payment is received, a detailed report of findings is sent directly to you via email.

A doorstep trace is often the final step when precise, in-person confirmation is necessary, offering reassurance and evidence you can rely on.

Can tracing services track down someone who has died?

Yes, tracing services can help determine if a person has passed away. In these cases, we conduct checks across various records such as the General Register Office (GRO) death records, obituaries, and electoral roll data to establish what has happened. If we do find evidence of a death, we can typically provide you with official documentation or additional information, such as date of passing and, where possible, registered next of kin. This approach is often used in probate, genealogy research, or when reconnecting with long-lost relatives.