What Do You Need for a Skip Trace?
What do you need for a skip trace? You usually need enough accurate information to identify the right person and separate them from similar records. A full legal name, last known address, phone number, date of birth, employer details, or business connections can help. The more reliable identifiers you provide, the easier the search can be.
Why this matters
Knowing what do you need for a skip trace helps you prepare a stronger request.
A skip trace is a locate search used to find or verify information about a person. It may support process serving, collection work, litigation administration, or another lawful purpose.
The starting information affects the search.
If you provide only a common name, the search may produce several possible matches. Additional identifiers can help narrow those results.
Privacy also matters.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada says organizations should identify why personal information is being collected and limit collection to what is needed for that purpose. Review the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada’s guidance on fair information principles before providing personal information for a search.
The goal is not to provide every detail available.
The goal is to provide useful information that supports a clear, lawful search.
The list in full
1. Provide the full legal name
- The full legal name is one of the most useful starting points.
- Provide the person’s first name, middle name, and last name where available. Include known spelling variations if they appear in your records.
- A common name can create many possible matches.
- Additional identifiers become more important in those cases.
2. Give the last known address
- The last known address gives the search a useful starting point.
- Provide the complete address if you have it. Include older addresses if they may help establish a person’s address history.
- Do not assume the old address is still current.
- It can help connect older records with newer information.
3. Share the date of birth
- A date of birth can help distinguish between people with similar names.
- Provide it when you have it and when it is relevant to the search.
- It should not be treated as a reason to collect unrelated information.
- Use information that supports the stated purpose of the assignment.
4. Provide known telephone numbers
- Previous phone numbers can provide another useful identifier.
- Include mobile or landline numbers from your records where relevant.
- Even an old number can sometimes help connect information across records.
- Do not assume that a disconnected number has no value.
- It can still be useful as part of the identity picture.
5. Share employment history
- Known employers can help distinguish one person from another.
- Provide the employer name and any relevant information you already have.
- Employment information may also help confirm whether a possible match relates to the correct person.
- The information for locating someone should remain focused on the search purpose.
6. Include business connections
- Business information can be useful if the person owns, operates, or is connected with a business.
- The Ontario Business Registry provides access to Ontario business information and search products.
- A business name, corporation connection, or registered information can help distinguish between people with similar names.
- Do not assume a business address is the person’s residential address.
- Each record provides different information.
7. Add previous contact details
- Old email addresses, phone numbers, or other contact details can provide useful identifiers.
- These details may help compare information found during the search.
- You should provide information that is relevant to the assignment.
- Avoid adding unrelated personal information simply because it is available.
8. Explain the purpose of the search
- The provider should know why you are starting a skip trace.
- For example, you may need to locate someone before serving court documents.
- You may need to verify an address connected with a collection matter.
- You may also need information for litigation administration.
- A clear purpose helps determine what information should be searched and reported.
9. Provide known family or business connections
- Relevant connections can sometimes help confirm identity.
- For example, a known business relationship or previous record may help separate two people with similar names.
- Use these details carefully.
- Only provide information that is relevant to the assignment and appropriate for the stated purpose.
10. Share information about previous searches
- Tell the provider what has already been tried.
- Include previous addresses that failed.
- Mention unsuccessful service attempts.
- Provide earlier search results where appropriate.
- This prevents unnecessary repetition and gives the searcher more context.
How to apply this to your matter
Start with the strongest identifiers
- Good skip trace requirements begin with reliable information.
- A full legal name combined with a previous address is stronger than a name alone.
- A name, date of birth, and known employer can provide additional context.
- Use the information already available in your file before requesting new searches.
Separate confirmed facts from guesses
- Do not present assumptions as facts.
- If you think someone may have moved to a particular address, label it as a possibility.
- If an address came from an old record, identify it as an old record.
- This helps the searcher assess the information properly.
Give the searcher useful context
- Explain why the search is needed.
- If the assignment relates to document service, say so.
- If the search concerns a judgment debtor, provide the relevant file information.
- The purpose can affect which information is relevant.
Avoid unnecessary personal information
- More information does not always produce a better search.
- The Office of the Privacy Commissioner explains that personal information should be collected for identified purposes and limited to what is necessary.
- A focused search can reduce unnecessary collection.
Expect verification, not just a possible match
- A useful skip trace should distinguish possible information from information supported by multiple identifiers.
- A matching name alone may not be enough.
- Compare addresses, business connections, dates, and other relevant information where available.
Consider professional support
Professional support can be useful when the person has moved, records conflict, or earlier service attempts failed.
Select Serve and File Process Server Inc. has served Ontario since 2005.
The company provides process serving, court filing, document retrieval, and related locate support.
[CONFIRM] From real operating experience, one common source of follow-up is receiving only a person’s name and expecting a precise result. Providing an old address, date of birth, employer, or other reliable identifier can make identity matching much clearer.
What happens if you have limited information?
You can still ask about a search if you have limited information.
Start with everything you know.
A name alone may be enough to begin preliminary research, but additional identifiers can improve accuracy.
Tell the provider exactly what information you have.
Do not fill gaps with guesses.
The provider can then determine what further information or search methods may be appropriate.
[VERIFY] Privacy requirements can vary depending on the organization, purpose, province, industry, and type of information involved. Confirm the applicable requirements before using personal information for a specific assignment.
What if the information is outdated?
- Outdated information can still be useful.
- An old address can help connect a person with other records.
- An old phone number can provide another identifier.
- A previous employer may also help confirm identity.
- The key is to treat older information as a starting point.
- Do not automatically treat it as current.
When professional support makes sense
Understanding what do you need for a skip trace can make your request easier to prepare.
- Provide the strongest identifiers you have.
- Explain the purpose.
- Identify previous unsuccessful attempts.
- Then allow the search to focus on relevant information.
If the search forms part of a larger process serving or litigation workflow, professional support can also help organize the next administrative step.
If you are asking what do you need for a skip trace, start with accurate identity information, a clear purpose, and any reliable records already in your file.
Need documents served in Ontario? Request a quote or call (647) 568-5700.
This article provides general information about process serving and court procedure in Ontario. It is not legal advice and does not create a solicitor client relationship. Court rules and procedures change. Confirm current requirements with the relevant court or consult a licensed Ontario lawyer or paralegal before acting.
