Skip Tracing and Address Research in Washington

A person may have moved across Washington since the last court date or service attempt. We research address history, lawful work-location clues, and other records to identify possible current locations, then explain which leads are supported and which need checking.

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From an Old Address to a Current Lead

Skip Trace Services

We compare prior Washington addresses and dates with public records and lawful commercial-database leads. Identity checks help distinguish the right person from someone with a similar name, while residence verification helps separate a current home from an old or mailing address.

Common examples: address-history research, public-record and commercial-database lead development, work-location clues, and residence-pattern verification.
Use cases: unauthorized child removal, relocation disputes, support enforcement, service planning, and cases where actual residence matters.
What you receive: possible addresses with supporting sources and dates, known inconsistencies, and a chronology that can inform counsel or a process server.

Why Families Request a Skip Trace

A missing or disputed address may affect service, a relocation dispute, or a support matter. Tell us the purpose and deadline so we can assess which leads are relevant and whether further verification is needed.

Parent and Child Location Leads

If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. If a child is missing, contact local law enforcement immediately and do not wait for skip-trace work. After those urgent steps, lawful locate research may help develop address and movement leads for counsel or law-enforcement coordination.

Verify Actual Residence

Compare a stated address with available records and lawful residence observations when parenting, relocation, or support questions depend on where someone lives.

Prepare for Service or Enforcement

Give a process server or attorney current address leads, their sources, and the results of any verification. The required service method and enforcement decisions remain separate from the search.

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Washington Investigator and Court Resources

RCW 18.165 addresses Washington private investigators. Washington Courts’ forms and instructions can help identify court requirements, but address research alone does not complete service or decide an enforcement question. Consult counsel about the legal process.

What to Provide and What You Receive

Provide the last confirmed address, the date it was reliable, known Washington counties, and any previous attempts to locate or serve the person. We discuss whether more research or an in-person check is warranted before scheduling fieldwork.

Search and travel: Records may connect a person with several counties without proving where they live now. We explain the strongest leads, the limits of each source, and the additional travel or observation needed to test them.
Costs: Lite is $150 per investigator-hour; Heavy is $300 per investigator-hour. Preparation and report writing each cost $150/hour. Round-trip travel from our Tacoma office is $2.50/minute. Other time is billed in whole hours, with partial hours rounded up. Each purchased service hour carries $15 in expense credit for Lite or $30 for Heavy. Credits on hours used for your task cover only that task's expenses; any remainder expires at report delivery. Expenses are charged at cost. Applicable surcharges are separate dollar charges, not deductions from service hours. We confirm the work, schedule and prepaid costs by text and email. See Pricing for unused-time, credit, specialist and other fee terms.
Intake response: Most non-emergency inquiries receive same-day or next-business-day response once the geography and urgency are clear.
Your address findings: The report identifies possible locations, dates, source records, and verification results for attorney or service planning. Our report is due by 9 p.m. Pacific on the next business day after the task finishes, including return travel. Completion after midnight uses that new calendar date. Business days exclude weekends and the listed 11 federal holidays and each holiday’s day-before/day-after period. Faster delivery costs $300 per report only when requested and accepted, plus report time. We notify you of revised timing for additional approved report work or priority delays.

Frequently Asked Questions About Skip Trace in Washington

What does skip trace mean in a family-law case?

Skip tracing means researching leads to find a person whose current location is uncertain. In family matters, it often involves checking old addresses, possible residences, and lawful work links for service, support, or relocation questions.

Can skip trace help if someone is avoiding service or hiding their address?

It may. We can research likely addresses and compare available records or approved observations before a service attempt. We cannot guarantee a current address or completed service, and we respect any order restricting contact.

Is skip trace only for debt collection?

No. Families use skip tracing for address verification, relocation and support disputes, and service planning. If a child is missing or in immediate danger, contact law enforcement immediately rather than waiting for a search.

Have an Address That No Longer Works?

Tell us which address has failed, what happened during earlier attempts, and any coming deadline. We can assess the next lawful search step and its cost, including travel if a Washington field check is needed.

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