Skip Tracing Explained: How Private Investigators Locate People in Ontario

People disappear for many reasons.

Sometimes they’ve moved without leaving a forwarding address. Other times they’re intentionally avoiding contact, changing jobs, switching phone numbers, or relocating to another city or province. In many cases, finding them is much more complicated than searching Google or checking social media.

This is where skip tracing comes in.

Skip tracing is one of the most valuable services provided by licensed private investigators. Whether you’re a landlord trying to locate a former tenant, a lawyer searching for a witness, a business collecting an unpaid debt, or someone looking for a long-lost family member, professional skip tracing uses lawful investigative techniques to locate people who are difficult to find.

In this guide, we’ll explain what skip tracing is, how it works, what information private investigators use, and when hiring a professional investigator can significantly improve your chances of locating someone.

Table of Contents

• What Is Skip Tracing?
• Why People Hire a Private Investigator to Locate Someone
• How Skip Tracing Works
• Information That Helps a Skip Trace
• Is Skip Tracing Legal?
• How Long Does Skip Tracing Take?
• Common Myths About Skip Tracing
• Why Choose Smith Investigation Agency?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Final Thoughts

What Is Skip Tracing?

Skip tracing is the process of locating a person’s current whereabouts after they have become difficult to find.

The term “skip” refers to someone who has “skipped out” by moving, changing contact information, or otherwise becoming difficult to locate.

Contrary to what many people believe, skip tracing is not about hacking computers or accessing secret government databases. Instead, licensed private investigators combine research, investigative experience, public records, lawful databases, and, when appropriate, surveillance to build a clear picture of where someone may currently be.

The goal is simple: gather legally obtainable information that leads to the person’s current location.

Why Do People Hire a Private Investigator for Skip Tracing?

There are many legitimate reasons why someone may need professional assistance locating another individual.

Some of the most common include:

• Locating former tenants who owe rent or property damages
• Finding debtors for civil collections
• Locating witnesses for legal proceedings
• Serving court documents
• Finding missing family members or relatives
• Locating beneficiaries during estate matters
• Finding former employees
• Locating business partners
• Confirming a person’s current address or place of employment

In many situations, time is critical. The sooner an investigation begins, the greater the likelihood of locating accurate and up-to-date information.

How Private Investigators Locate People

Successful skip tracing rarely relies on a single source of information.

Instead, investigators gather small pieces of information from multiple lawful sources until they create a complete picture.

Depending on the circumstances of the investigation, a skip trace may involve several different research methods.

Public Records

Public records often provide valuable information about an individual’s history.

Investigators may review records relating to:

• Property ownership
• Court proceedings
• Business registrations
• Corporate records
• Professional licences
• Bankruptcy filings
• Other publicly available information

These records can help establish connections, identify previous addresses, and uncover valuable investigative leads.

Investigative Databases

Licensed private investigators have access to specialized investigative resources that are not typically available to the general public.

These databases may help identify:

• Historical addresses
• Associated individuals
• Previous contact information
• Property records
• Corporate affiliations
• Other investigative leads that support the locate process

Investigators use these resources alongside traditional investigative techniques rather than relying on a single database.

Social Media and Open-Source Intelligence

Many people unintentionally leave digital clues about their lives.

Even when someone changes their phone number or moves to a new city, information shared publicly online may provide useful leads.

Investigators may examine publicly available information from:

• Social media platforms
• Business websites
• Professional networking sites
• Public online directories
• News articles
• Public photographs
• Community organizations

This process, often referred to as Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), involves gathering information that individuals have made publicly available.

Address and Employment Research

One of the primary goals of many skip tracing investigations is confirming where someone currently lives or works.

Investigators may analyze:

• Previous addresses
• Employment history
• Property ownership
• Business affiliations
• Known associates
• Family connections
• Vehicle information when lawfully available

Small details often lead to significant breakthroughs.

Interviews and Neighbourhood Inquiries

In some investigations, speaking with individuals who may have relevant information can help move the investigation forward.

Depending on the circumstances, investigators may conduct discreet inquiries with:

• Former neighbours
• Property managers
• Business contacts
• Other individuals connected to the investigation

These conversations are conducted professionally and within legal and ethical boundaries.

Surveillance When Necessary

Not every skip tracing investigation requires surveillance.

In many cases, documentary research alone successfully locates the individual.

However, when records suggest a likely location but additional confirmation is required, surveillance may be an appropriate investigative tool.

For example, surveillance may help confirm:

• A person’s current residence
• Their workplace
• Daily routines
• Vehicle usage
• Occupancy at a specific address

Surveillance is conducted only when lawful and appropriate under the circumstances.

What Information Helps a Skip Trace?

While professional investigators can often work with very limited information, providing additional details can significantly improve the chances of success.

Helpful information may include:

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Previous addresses
• Phone numbers
• Email addresses
• Previous employer
• Vehicle information
• Known relatives
• Social media accounts
• Recent photographs

Even information that seems outdated or insignificant can provide valuable investigative leads.

Is Skip Tracing Legal?

Yes.

Skip tracing is legal when conducted by licensed private investigators using lawful investigative methods.

Professional investigators follow all applicable laws governing privacy and investigations.

This means investigators do not:

• Hack computers or phones
• Access private accounts without authorization
• Impersonate government officials
• Obtain information through illegal means
• Trespass onto private property without lawful authority

Instead, investigators rely on professional investigative techniques, lawful databases, public records, interviews, surveillance where appropriate, and years of investigative experience.

Choosing a licensed private investigator ensures the investigation is conducted ethically and professionally.

How Long Does Skip Tracing Take?

Every investigation is different.

Some individuals are located within a matter of hours.

Others may require several days or even weeks of investigative work.

The timeline depends on several factors, including:

• How much information is available
• How recently the person moved
• Whether they are intentionally avoiding contact
• Whether they have relocated outside Ontario
• Whether surveillance becomes necessary

An experienced investigator will continually evaluate new information and adjust the investigative strategy as needed.

Common Myths About Skip Tracing

“I can probably find them with Google.”

Occasionally that may be true.

However, individuals who intentionally avoid contact rarely leave obvious information online.

Professional investigators use far more than internet searches.

“Private investigators can hack into phones or email accounts.”

No.

Licensed investigators operate within the law.

Illegal access to private accounts is neither lawful nor necessary to conduct professional skip tracing.

“If someone moved out of province, they can’t be found.”

Not necessarily.

Many skip tracing investigations involve individuals who have relocated elsewhere in Canada.

Investigators can often continue developing leads beyond provincial borders.

“Deleting social media makes someone impossible to locate.”

Social media is only one investigative tool.

Professional skip tracing combines many different investigative resources, and successful locates rarely depend on a single source of information.

Why Choose The Smith Investigation Agency?

At The Smith Investigation Agency, skip tracing is one of our core investigative services.

Our licensed investigators combine professional experience, advanced investigative resources, lawful databases, and proven investigative techniques to locate individuals throughout Ontario and across Canada.

We regularly assist:

• Landlords
• Property management companies
• Law firms
• Insurance companies
• Businesses
• Financial professionals
• Private individuals

Whether you’re trying to locate a former tenant, a debtor, a witness, or someone who has simply become difficult to find, our team can develop a strategy tailored to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is skip tracing?

Skip tracing is the investigative process of locating a person whose current whereabouts are unknown.

Is skip tracing legal in Ontario?

Yes. Licensed private investigators conduct skip tracing using lawful investigative techniques and in accordance with applicable legislation.

Can a private investigator find someone’s current address?

In many cases, yes. Every investigation is different, but investigators use multiple lawful research methods to determine a person’s current residence whenever possible.

Can a private investigator locate someone’s workplace?

Depending on the circumstances and available information, investigators may be able to identify or confirm a person’s place of employment.

How successful is skip tracing?

Success depends on many factors, including the amount of available information, how recently the individual moved, and whether they are intentionally avoiding contact.

Providing accurate background information generally improves the likelihood of a successful locate.

How much information do I need to start a skip trace?

Even limited information can be enough to begin an investigation.

However, names, previous addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and other identifying information often improve the investigation.

Final Thoughts

Locating someone who doesn’t want to be found—or who has simply disappeared over time—can be challenging without the right experience and resources.

Professional skip tracing combines investigative expertise, lawful research, public records, specialized databases, and, when appropriate, surveillance to develop accurate, reliable results.

Whether you’re searching for a former tenant, a debtor, a witness, or a missing family member, working with a licensed private investigator can save time, reduce frustration, and significantly improve the chances of success.

Need Help Locating Someone?

If you’re trying to locate a person in Ontario or anywhere in Canada, The Smith Investigation Agency is here to help.

Contact our team today for a confidential consultation and learn how our professional skip tracing services can help you move your investigation forward.