How to Perform a Post Office Forwarding Address Lookup
Cindy Ellis - February 16, 2024
Moving is a massive adjustment that takes up an extraordinary amount of time. We have all been in the position of settling into a new house, or even our first apartment, and taking entirely too long to get the paperwork out of the way. If you are unaware of where an acquaintance has moved to and need to get a package to them, it may feel like you are stranded with unwanted luggage.
We can alleviate that nagging anxiety right away; there are a few definitive ways to get a forwarding address that will not take substantial time or money.
This quick guide will give you the need-to-know facts on looking up a forwarding address through the post office or online. Whether you live in a bustling metropolis or a part of the country that can’t be found on most maps, you can still get reliable help. Read on to learn more below.
What Is a Forwarding Address?
Forwarding addresses aren’t very complicated but it’s a good idea to know what they are and how they work. A simple definition for these addresses is that they’re used for people to send you mail once you move to a new location.
While this makes them sound like any old address, that’s not exactly the case. For example, these addresses are used when someone sends mail with your name on it to your old address.
Instead of them having to resend the package, the post office will have updated records and forward the package for them.
Forwarding addresses are useful once someone moves to a new home or apartment. It’s always a good idea to use a forwarding address when you move to help individuals and businesses continue to send them mail without any interruptions. It can also help post offices operate efficiently and it only takes a few minutes to get this done. You can get started by visiting your local post office.
How to Lookup a Forwarding Address
Some unusual and invasive methods exist to search for a new address, including bothering relatives and hiring a private investigator. This guide will take a more hands-off approach that will get the same results without spending a fortune or freaking out family members. The truth is that nowadays, very little is kept from the internet, and most things are easily discovered.
That said, do not use any of the information you find to stalk, harass, or bother someone in a way that could get you in legal trouble.
Request an Address Correction
One of the most time-tested ways to get a forwarding address is to send a package or letter to the old address. When you send the parcel, mark “Address Correction Requested” somewhere visible on the envelope or box. The local post office will then choose whether or not to give you the new address.
If they do, it will be on a part of the mail you sent when it is returned to your address. The process is practical, though not always guaranteed. Additionally, it can take several days, which may not help those in a time-sensitive situation. That said, it’s a great place to start if you’re not super close with the individual.
Check Social Media
Privacy used to be a privilege that people took great measures to protect. Nowadays, it has been replaced with social media and a digital presence. If you are unsure of a contact’s new address, search for their profile on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. Many people update their location on their social media pages.
If you don’t know where they live, you can always check social media to see if they have it listed in their bio.
People Search Engine
Public records have gone from stuffy backrooms in local town halls to efficient people search engines on the World Wide Web. You no longer have to sit in slow-moving queues to get the details you need. Now you can rely on a trusted platform like Information.com instead. People search engines allow you to look up someone by their name, address, or even their phone number.
Unlike social media, which will give you a general run-down of a person’s public persona, a people search engine will provide you with an informal background check. Things like previous addresses, places of employment, criminal records, and former aliases can all be listed.
Some additional information you can find with a people search engine includes:
- Social media accounts
- Dating profiles
- Relatives
- Marriage certificates (if available)
- Death records (if available)
- Criminal records
- Court records
- Sex offender status
Depending on the person, some or all of this information will show up in their comprehensive full report. It will run folks a few bucks (no people search engine is entirely free), but nothing comes close to being as comprehensive, and the cost is by no means expensive. Plus, it’s a good idea to know who you’re sending mail to.
Last Word on Finding a Forwarding Address
There are many ways to find a forwarding address, though some will cost a couple hundred dollars. Others are ethically dubious and may get you in trouble with the individual or the law. The best bet is to use methods like the ones discussed that are above board, reliable, and relatively inexpensive. You don’t have to contact every known associate to find a guy’s address.
Checking with the post office and social media is always a fantastic first step, though one is time-consuming, and the other may not yield the desired information. The best method for learning about someone (address or otherwise) is to use a trusted people search engine that regularly updates its system.
Several people search engines hide malware as well as pop-ups and should not be trusted with a person’s financial information. Use a vetted engine that is reliable, quick, and complies with the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) to ensure that your identity is safe and you are not violating any laws.
