Locating Defendants for Service

Serving legal documents requires knowing where the defendant actually lives or works. When the address on file is outdated, skip tracing becomes essential to locate the defendant and complete proper service under court rules.

Courts require due diligence in attempting to serve defendants. A professional skip trace demonstrates that reasonable efforts were made to locate the party, which is especially important when seeking alternative service methods.

Address Verification Before Service

Before sending a process server, verifying that the defendant actually resides at the target address saves time and money. Our address verification service confirms current occupancy and provides additional details like property type and resident history.

If the address is not current, our comprehensive skip trace can identify the defendant's actual location, including any new addresses, workplaces, or alternative contact points.

Documenting Due Diligence

When service proves difficult, courts may allow alternative methods such as service by publication or substituted service. To obtain court approval, you typically need to demonstrate due diligence through documented skip tracing efforts.

1SkipTrace provides detailed reports that document the search process and results, giving attorneys the evidence needed to satisfy due diligence requirements before the court.