Past Address Lookup: How to Perform an Address History Search

Cindy Ellis - April 18, 2023

Whether it’s curiosity or out of necessity, finding your exact past addresses might be a priority for you. However, this process might be overwhelming, especially if you’ve moved around a lot, and if you don’t have information regarding the exact addresses of your previous homes or apartments.

Our article is here to help you with this problem – below, we give you important information and search methods to find your past addresses without too much stress. Read on to find out everything you need to know!

Why Look Up Your Past Addresses?

There are many reasons why someone might want to look up their past addresses, and this process tends to be very personal. You can review some of the following examples of common reasons to look up your past address:

• You need to find the exact addresses you used to live at for an application to a job or other opportunity.
• You need to list your previous addresses on official documents, such as tax forms.
• You want to know the exact addresses that you used to live at so you can visit them or research the history of the property.
• You are simply curious and want to know more about what happened to the places where you used to live.

Of course, this list isn’t comprehensive and it’s not a problem if you don’t see your reason listed. As long as you aren’t researching your past addresses with the intent to complete illegal activities, whatever reasons you have for finding your past addresses are valid.

Search Methods for Finding Your Past Addresses

The following search methods are great ways to locate your past addresses and discover all the information you might need about previous places of residence. Make sure to try them all, as you never know which one will give you all the information you need.

Check Your Tax Records

Tax records are one of the best places to find specific and accurate location information about your past addresses. You need to file your taxes annually, and you will need to include your accurate residence address on these filings with the IRS for them to be accepted. Search through old tax records that you may be keeping or access your tax record online with the IRS to find a completed transcript of your tax history. This will list the addresses of previous places of residence you’ve filed from throughout the years.

Check Your Personal Records

Your personal records are important documents, paperwork, and other records that you may have kept throughout the years. Some people choose to keep paper copies of all of their records, while others will utilize online record-keeping and filing systems.

No matter which method you choose, your personal records are a great way to find information about your past addresses. You may have previous copies of lease agreements, purchase histories, cards and personal correspondences, or other documents with your addresses listed on them, so be sure to search your personal records carefully for the information you need.

Check Your Credit History

Your credit history is an accurate record of your financial history, and your complete credit record often includes information on your addresses or your tenant history. Utilize a free, reputable credit score look-up website to discover information about your past addresses. You may need to request a tenant-specific credit history report to gain a full look at all of your past addresses.

Utilize Social Media

If you aren’t sure that your past addresses will be listed in any of the above options, you can always turn to social media to help jog your memory about where you used to live. A lot of the time, people will list their general living locations online as part of their profile information on a social media account. If you’ve moved a lot or you aren’t too sure of the many cities that you’ve lived in, you may be able to discover this information by reviewing your online account.

Check your profile information, private account information that others viewing your social media aren’t able to access, and any sign-up emails you’ve received from certain social media websites. All of these methods might help you figure out your past addresses. You could also look at pictures you’ve uploaded to these websites to see if they help you remember your previous places of residence.

Use a People Lookup Tool

A people search tool is a great way to find out accurate information about your previous addresses that may be publicly available. To use one of these convenient online tools, type your name into the search bar and then run the search. The tool will quickly look through public records and other online sources using the given name and will compile a report about the history of that person, including previous addresses.

You can review the report you receive to find out your past address history and other information that is publicly available about you.

Search Your Online Accounts

In addition to social media, you may have online accounts such as work accounts, school or university accounts, or online shopping accounts, such as an Amazon account, that hold address information. Review your personal details saved on these websites, especially for online shopping websites, as they often hold information about your previous addresses where you might have gotten items delivered.

What if I Can’t Find My Past Addresses?

It’s uncommon, but sometimes you might not be able to find information about your past addresses using any of these methods. If you find yourself in this situation, you may want to take your research a step further.

Speak to friends or family that might know more information about your address history or visit the county records and tax offices for the jurisdictions that you used to live in. The staff at these facilities might be able to provide you with property purchase or deed information, property tax payment records, and other important documents that help you track down the past address information you need.

Discovering the Address Information You Need

When it comes to looking up your past addresses, you might think that finding this information is a dead end. However, with careful research and some time dedicated to looking through your personal, tax, and credit records, you may easily be able to find detailed and accurate address information.

Make sure to back your search up with quick checks of your social media, people search tools, and other online accounts, especially shopping accounts, to ensure that you have found all of the past address information that you might need.