A people search finds facts about a person from a name. You type a name, maybe a city. The tool returns ages, past homes, phone numbers, relatives and more. BeenVerified is one of the best-known US people search services. This guide uses it as the example.
You will learn how to find a person online with BeenVerified, step by step. You will see what a report holds and how matches work. We also cover no-cost options and the legal limits. Facts about BeenVerified come from its own site, checked in October 2026.
We are not affiliated with BeenVerified. BillionVerify is an email verification service. Often, the next step is to email the person you found. At the end, we show how to check that email first.
Key facts (checked October 2026):
- A people search on BeenVerified begins with a person's full name, and adding a city or state narrows the matches.
- BeenVerified charged $36.89 for one month of access, per its pricing page.
- A BeenVerified trial lasted 7 days for $1, then renewed at the monthly price unless cancelled.
- BeenVerified warns that its records can be incomplete or outdated, per the disclaimer in its site footer.
- BeenVerified falls outside the FCRA rules for screening agencies, so its reports cannot be used to decide hiring or renting.
- BillionVerify includes 20 free daily credits for email checks, capped at 600 per month.
What Is a People Search?
A people search starts with a person, not a number. You enter a name. The service checks it against public records and other sources. Then it builds a profile of each likely match.
A people search engine is the tool that runs this lookup. BeenVerified is a paid people search engine. Others charge too. Some offer a few basic facts for free.
The goal is simple. You want to find people you lost touch with. Or you want to check that someone is who they claim to be.
People search vs a regular search engine
A regular search engine indexes web pages. It finds what people publish about themselves. A people search engine works from records instead. It links court files, property data, phone listings and more to one name.
So a regular search engine is great for public profiles. A people search engine is better when a person keeps a low profile.
What a people search can't do
A people search does not read private messages. It does not track phones in real time. It cannot show bank balances or medical files. It shows what records and data sources already hold.
It also can't guarantee accuracy. Records age. People move. Two people can share one name in one town. Treat every result as a lead to confirm.
How to Do a People Search With BeenVerified
BeenVerified puts people search first on its homepage. The People tab is the default.
Screenshot: the People tab on the BeenVerified homepage.
Here is how a BeenVerified people search works.
Step 1: Open the People tab
Go to beenverified.com. The search box opens on People. The headline reads "Who are you looking for?"
Step 2: Enter a full name
Type a first and last name. Both fields are required. Use the spelling the person most likely uses on paper.
Screenshot: a sample name typed into the BeenVerified people search box.
Step 3: Add a city and state
The search bar at the top of most BeenVerified pages also asks for a city and a state. Add them if you know them. A common name can return hundreds of matches without them.
Step 4: Choose the closest match
BeenVerified lists possible matches. Each one shows clues like age and location. Compare them with what you know. Choose the match that fits best.
Step 5: Open the report
Opening a report requires a membership or a trial. In October 2026, BeenVerified listed $36.89 per month, or $23.98 per month on a 3 month plan. A 7-day trial cost $1. Check BeenVerified pricing before you sign up. Plans renew until you cancel.
BeenVerified also saves past reports. You can reopen them in your account or the app. You can turn on alerts when a report changes, too.
What People Search Results Show
BeenVerified describes its people search in plain terms. Users "can search for individuals by entering their name, location, and/or other identifying details."
Screenshot: the People Search feature on BeenVerified's "Is BeenVerified legit?" page.
Here is what a BeenVerified people search results page may include. Not every report has every field.
Names and aliases
The report shows the full name. It may list nicknames, maiden names and other names the person used.
Age
Most reports show an age or a birth year. Age is the fastest way to tell two matches apart.
Address history
BeenVerified people search results often list current and previous addresses. Older entries help you trace a move.
Phone numbers and emails
Phone numbers, emails and social profiles "are also often available," per BeenVerified. Its app notes that "data accuracy scores suggest someone's best personal and professional emails, phone numbers, and addresses."
Relatives and associates
Reports may name relatives and associates. These names help confirm a match. They also help you reach someone through family.
Records, jobs and education
BeenVerified says reports "may contain public records, photos, ages, relatives, associates, assets, jobs and educational history." Court and criminal records appear when sources have them.
How sure is each detail?
BeenVerified is open about limits. It says accuracy "can vary based on the quality and completeness of the underlying sources." Its footer adds that reports are "not necessarily 100% accurate, complete or up to date." Read every detail as likely, not certain.
What You Need to Start a People Search
The more you know, the better the match. Gather these details before you search.
- The name. Include a middle name or initial if you know it.
- Name history. Note maiden names and nicknames.
- Location. A current or past city and state.
- Age range. Even a rough decade helps.
- Known contacts. A relative, a school or an old employer.
- A phone number. If you have one, a reverse phone lookup may be faster than a name search. Check the digits first with our free phone number validator. It shows whether the number is valid for its country, the line type and the E.164 format. No signup is needed, and you get 20 free checks per IP each day.
You do not need all of these. A name plus a state often works. Each extra clue removes wrong matches.
How People Search Results Are Matched
A people search engine has to decide which records belong together. That is harder than it sounds.
Records rarely share an ID number. A court file may list a name and a birth date. A property deed may list a name and an address. A phone listing may list a name and a city. The engine links records that share enough details.
This works well for rare names. It struggles with common ones. "John Smith" in a big state can mean thousands of people. Mistakes happen when two people share a name, an age and a city.
That is why your clues matter. Age, middle name and past cities let you check the link the engine made.
Free People Search Options
BeenVerified is not free. You can still use a free people search for many jobs. Try these before you pay.
Use a regular search engine
Put the name in quotes, plus a city or employer. Personal sites, news stories and business listings often show up. Add a school or job title to narrow it down.
Check social networks
Many profiles list a hometown, a college or an employer. Professional networks are good for work history. Search by name and filter by place.
Use government sources
Some public records are free at the source.
- Sex offender registries. The National Sex Offender Public Website from the US Justice Department searches state registries for free.
- Court records. Many county and state courts run free case search portals.
- Property records. County assessor and recorder offices often post owner names online.
- Census records. The National Archives offers older census records for family research.
Try white pages
White pages list numbers and homes by name. BeenVerified's own white pages lookup guide explains how they work. Some people pay to stay unlisted, so coverage is patchy.
When a free people search is enough
A free people search works when you need one fact. A city. A work history. A court case. Pay for a report when you need many facts in one place. A free people search engine saves money. A paid one saves time.
Tips for Better People Search Results
Small habits make people search results far more useful.
- Try spelling variants. "Jon" and "John" are different searches. So are "McDonald" and "MacDonald."
- Search maiden names. Many records still use a name from before marriage.
- Widen the area. Start with a city. Then try the whole state.
- Use age as a filter. It removes more wrong matches than any other clue.
- Check the dates. An address seen ten years ago may be stale.
- Cross-check relatives. If the relatives fit, the match is likely right.
- Compare two sources. If a BeenVerified people search and a free source agree, trust it more.
Common names need patience. Rare names often work on the first try.
Find People From Your Past
Reconnecting is one of the happiest uses of a people search. BeenVerified says it "loves hearing stories about how people use public records to reconnect with people." It lists "friends from an old neighborhood, distant relatives or a long lost love."
Here is a simple path to reconnect:
- Start with the name you knew them by.
- Add the last city where you knew them.
- Use their age to pick the right match.
- Check the relatives list for names you recognize.
- Note the newest address, phone and email.
For reunions, BeenVerified suggests cleaning up your address book. That way "invitations and greeting cards get to the right person."
Check Someone Before You Meet
A people search can also confirm that a stranger is real. Use it on people you are about to trust. BeenVerified lists a few allowed uses.
Online dating
"Met a new crush online? Check 'em out!" BeenVerified suggests using social profile data before a first date. A real name, a city and an age that match the profile are good signs.
Online marketplaces
Before you bid, BeenVerified says, "make sure that person on the online auction site is who he says he is." The same goes for private sellers of cars and phones.
New neighbors
BeenVerified suggests a people search after a move. You can "find out more about your new community."
Yourself
BeenVerified also recommends looking up your own name. It is the easiest way to find people data that others see about you. "It is not silly, it is important. You should know what is in your public record." It shows what others can see about you.
Find a Person Online Safely and Legally
A people search is legal for personal use. It is not legal for every use. BeenVerified sets clear rules on its Do's and Don'ts page.
Screenshot: BeenVerified's Do's and Don'ts.
What the FCRA bans
BeenVerified is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The legal definition sits in 15 U.S.C. § 1681a. So you may not use a BeenVerified report for these decisions:
- Hiring, promoting or keeping an employee.
- Hiring a nanny or a domestic worker.
- Renting a home or a commercial space.
- School admission or a scholarship.
- Credit or insurance.
BeenVerified warns that misuse "can lead to possible criminal penalties." For these decisions, use a screening firm that follows the FCRA.
Other banned uses
BeenVerified's rules go beyond the FCRA. You may not use it to vet a pet or child adoption. You may not use it to judge someone for a charity program. You may not use it to stalk or spy. "If they don't want to be contacted, you should respect their wishes."
Does the person know you searched?
No. BeenVerified states that "we don't notify anybody that you have looked them up."
Find People by Name With the BeenVerified App
BeenVerified runs apps for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Android. Per its apps page, you can search "people, phone numbers, email addresses and property records" from your phone. The app saves past reports.
So you can find people by name on the go. The steps match the website. Type the name, choose a match and open the report.
From a People Search to a Working Email
Most searches end with a message to the person. A report may list several emails. Some are current. Some were abandoned years ago.
BeenVerified people search results tell you which emails are linked to a person. They cannot tell you whether an inbox still accepts mail. Want public context on an email first? Our free reverse email lookup reads the domain and its organisation, the mail routing, role-account patterns and any public profile the owner published. It uses public signals only. Each IP gets 20 lookups a day at no cost. BeenVerified's white pages guide makes a related point. It suggests you "verify or confirm the contact information" before you reach out.
BillionVerify batch verification checks up to 50 emails at once.
BillionVerify checks whether an email exists and can receive mail. It looks at syntax, the domain's mail records and the mail server's reply. It flags catch-all domains, throwaway inboxes and shared role inboxes like info@. Catch-all gets its own label. We never count it as valid.
You get 20 free credits every day you use your account, up to 600 a month. They never expire. You need no credit card. A valid or invalid result costs one credit. An unknown result is free. A re-check within 24 hours is free too.
Need to find a work email first? Read how to find someone's email. Then verify it with BillionVerify before you hit send. For the full background on the service, see our guide to BeenVerified. Looking up a car instead of a person? Read our BeenVerified vehicle lookup guide.
Common People Search Mistakes
Most failed lookups come from a few habits. Avoid these and you will find people faster. You will also waste less money on reports you do not need.
- Trusting the first match. The top match is not always right. Check age and relatives before you act.
- Ignoring old addresses. A past city can confirm identity. Do not skip the address history.
- Checking only once. Records update. Try again a few weeks later.
- Forgetting name changes. Marriage, divorce and legal changes break a simple query. Try every name the person used.
- Skipping the free tools. Start with free tools. A quick web query can find a person in seconds. Save paid reports for hard cases.
- Reading too much into one record. A single court entry may belong to someone else with that name.
- Contacting before confirming. A wrong match can lead to an awkward or unsafe message. Confirm first.
How BeenVerified handles duplicates
A BeenVerified people search results page groups records under each likely person. Duplicates still slip through. If two profiles look alike, open both. Compare ages, cities and relatives. One of them is usually a better fit.
When to stop searching
Some people do not want to be found. BeenVerified's own rules say to respect that. If a person has moved on and cut contact, let it go. You can find people with these tools. That does not mean you should contact everyone you find.
Searching for a person with a common name
Common names need a plan. Start with the state. Add the age range next. Then add a middle initial. Each filter cuts the list. If you still see dozens of matches, use a known relative to find a person in the list. A unique relative name often settles it.
Quick Reference: Free People Search by Name
Use this table to pick the right method.
| You have | Best first step | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| A name and a home state | Free people search by name in a search engine | Free |
| A common name | BeenVerified people search by name, plus age | Paid |
| A phone number | Reverse phone lookup | Free or paid |
| A name and an old city | Free people search engine, then a paid report | Mixed |
| A court case in mind | County court portal | Usually free |
A free people search by name is a good first pass. A BeenVerified people search by name gives more detail in one place. Stick with free tools when one fact is enough.
FAQs
What is a people search?
A people search is a lookup that starts with a name. It checks the name against government files and data brokers. Then it shows ages, addresses, phones, relatives and more for each likely match.
How do I find a person by name?
Open a people search engine. Add a city, a state and an age range. Then compare the matches. If you can, find a person by name with a middle initial too. It cuts wrong matches fast.
Is there a free people search?
Yes, search engines, social networks, court portals and the national sex offender registry are free people search options. A free people search engine may show basic facts. Full reports usually cost money.
Is BeenVerified a free people search engine?
No, BeenVerified is not free for full reports. It lets you start a search for free, but the full report needs a membership or a $1 trial. The trial renews into a paid plan unless you cancel.
What is in a BeenVerified people search report?
Each BeenVerified report may show names and aliases, age, current and past addresses, phones, emails, social profiles, relatives and public records. Not every report includes every field.
How can I find a person online for free?
Search the quoted name with a town. Check social networks. Then try free government sources for court and property records. These steps often find a person online without a paid report.
Can I find people by name and city only?
Yes, a name plus a city is often enough to find people. Add an age if the name is common. That helps you find people by name with fewer wrong matches.
How accurate is a people search?
A people search is only as accurate as the records behind it. BeenVerified says accuracy varies with its sources. Confirm key details with a second source before you act.
Will the person know I searched for them?
No, the person is not told you searched, because BeenVerified says it does not notify anybody that you looked them up.
Can a people search be used for hiring or renting?
No, hiring or renting is off limits for these reports. Hiring, renting, credit and insurance checks fall under the FCRA. BeenVerified does not offer FCRA reports, so use a regulated screening firm.
Can I search for myself?
Yes, you can search for yourself, and BeenVerified encourages it. A self-search shows what others can find about you.
How do I check an email from a people search?
Run the email through BillionVerify before you send. It checks the domain, the mail server and the mailbox. Unknown results are free.