How To Find Information On A Person’s Assets

Quick answer

• Public records are the primary source for asset information.
• Financial institutions generally protect customer data due to privacy laws.
• Legal proceedings like divorce or estate settlement often require asset disclosure.
• Online search tools can aggregate publicly available data, but accuracy varies.
• Be aware of legal and ethical boundaries when seeking personal financial information.
• Direct inquiries to the individual or their legal representative are often the most straightforward path.

Who this is for

• Individuals involved in legal disputes like divorce or inheritance claims.
• Creditors seeking to understand a debtor’s financial standing.
• Those performing due diligence on business partners or potential investors.

What to check first (before you act)

Your legal standing and purpose

Before you begin searching, understand why you need this information and if you have a legal right to it. Laws like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and various privacy regulations restrict how you can access and use someone’s financial data. For example, you generally cannot pull someone’s credit report without their explicit consent or a legally permissible purpose.

The specific assets you’re looking for

Are you trying to find real estate, bank accounts, investments, vehicles, or business ownership? The type of asset will dictate the most effective search methods. For instance, real estate is typically public record, while bank account details are highly private.

The jurisdiction and applicable laws

Laws regarding financial privacy and asset disclosure vary significantly by state and country. What is publicly accessible in one jurisdiction might be private in another. Always consider the location of the individual and the assets you are seeking.

Step-by-step (how to find a person’s assets)

Step 1: Identify the individual and known information

What to do: Gather all known details about the person, including their full legal name, date of birth, last known address, and any known aliases. The more information you have, the more targeted your search can be.
What “good” looks like: A comprehensive list of identifying details that can be used to search various databases and public records.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Relying on incomplete or incorrect information. Always cross-reference details from multiple sources if possible.

Step 2: Search public property records

What to do: Visit your local county recorder’s or assessor’s office website. These offices maintain records of real estate ownership, including deeds, mortgages, and property tax assessments.
What “good” looks like: Finding property ownership records linked to the individual’s name in the relevant county.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Assuming all property is listed under the individual’s direct name. Assets might be held in trusts, LLCs, or by a spouse.

Step 3: Check for business ownership and licenses

What to do: Search state Secretary of State websites for business registrations. Look for any companies the individual is listed as an owner, officer, or registered agent for. Professional licensing boards may also list individuals involved in certain industries.
What “good” looks like: Identifying any business entities the person has a stake in.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Missing businesses registered under different variations of a name or in states where the individual may have lived previously.

Step 4: Review court records

What to do: Search online court dockets for civil lawsuits, divorce proceedings, probate cases, or bankruptcy filings. These legal actions often require parties to disclose their assets.
What “good” looks like: Finding court documents that list or describe the individual’s assets as part of a legal case.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Not understanding that court records are often specific to a jurisdiction and may require specialized search terms.

Step 5: Examine UCC filings (Uniform Commercial Code)

What to do: Check the Secretary of State’s website for UCC filings. These are financial statements that lenders file when they have a security interest in a debtor’s personal property (like equipment, inventory, or accounts receivable).
What “good” looks like: Discovering liens or security interests that might indicate specific business assets.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Confusing UCC filings with property ownership. A UCC filing indicates a claim on an asset, not necessarily ownership.

Step 6: Investigate vehicle registrations

What to do: In many states, vehicle registration information is not publicly accessible for privacy reasons. However, some states may allow limited searches or provide information through specific legal processes. Check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
What “good” looks like: Confirming ownership of vehicles, if legally permissible to obtain.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Expecting easy access to vehicle registration data, which is often protected.

Step 7: Utilize online search engines and data aggregators

What to do: Use general search engines (like Google) and specialized people-search or data aggregator websites. These can sometimes compile publicly available information from various sources.
What “good” looks like: Finding leads or confirming information obtained from other sources.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Relying solely on these services without verifying their accuracy. Information can be outdated or incorrect.

Step 8: Consider professional investigative services

What to do: If you have a legitimate legal need and have exhausted public record searches, consider hiring a licensed private investigator. They have access to specialized databases and know how to navigate legal restrictions.
What “good” looks like: Obtaining verified asset information through a professional and legal channel.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Hiring an unlicensed or unethical investigator who may break the law to get information.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Searching without a legal right or permissible purpose	Legal penalties, fines, and civil lawsuits; inability to use the information found.	Consult with legal counsel to ensure your search is permissible and necessary.
Relying on outdated or inaccurate online information	Making decisions based on false premises; wasting time and resources.	Always cross-reference information from multiple, reliable sources, prioritizing official public records.
Violating privacy laws	Criminal charges, civil liability, and damage to reputation.	Adhere strictly to privacy regulations like the FCRA and state-specific laws.
Assuming assets are held in the individual’s name only	Missing crucial assets held in trusts, LLCs, or by related parties.	Investigate related entities and consider legal structures like trusts.
Misinterpreting public records	Drawing incorrect conclusions about ownership or financial status.	Understand the nature of each record (e.g., lien vs. ownership) and consult experts if unsure.
Using information obtained illegally in court	Evidence being inadmissible, potentially harming your case.	Ensure all information is obtained through legal and ethical means.
Not accounting for geographic variations in laws	Inadvertently breaking laws by assuming access rules are universal.	Research the specific laws of the relevant state or jurisdiction.
Overlooking digital assets or intellectual property	Incomplete picture of total net worth, especially for tech-savvy individuals.	Consider specialized searches for domain registrations, social media presence, or patent filings if relevant.
Ignoring the possibility of hidden assets	Inability to fully assess financial standing or recover debts.	Employ thorough investigative techniques and consider asset tracing specialists if necessary.
Failing to update searches	Working with stale data, leading to flawed conclusions.	If the search is ongoing or for a dynamic situation (like divorce), plan for periodic updates.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If you are involved in a divorce proceeding, then search court records for financial disclosures because these are often mandated by law.
• If you are a creditor seeking to collect a debt, then check public property records and UCC filings because these can reveal tangible assets or claims against them.
• If you suspect an individual is hiding assets, then consider hiring a licensed private investigator because they have access to specialized tools and expertise.
• If you need to verify property ownership, then go directly to the county recorder’s office website because this is the official source for real estate deeds.
• If you are looking for business ownership, then search the Secretary of State’s business registration database because this lists registered entities and their principals.
• If you are concerned about privacy laws, then consult with an attorney before conducting any in-depth search because they can advise on legal boundaries.
• If the individual has recently moved, then broaden your search to include property and business records in their previous state of residence because assets may not have been transferred.
• If you are trying to find bank accounts, then understand that these are generally private and not publicly discoverable, so focus on other asset types unless a legal order is in place.
• If you find a lien on a property, then understand this is a claim against the asset, not necessarily proof of ownership, and investigate further.
• If you are using online people-search sites, then treat the information as a starting point and always verify with official sources because these sites can contain errors.

FAQ

Can I look up anyone’s bank accounts?

Generally, no. Bank account information is highly private and protected by federal laws like the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. You typically need a court order or legal authority to access someone’s bank records.

How do I find out if someone owns property?

You can usually find property ownership records by searching the public property records of the county where the property is located. These are often available online through the county recorder’s or assessor’s office.

What if the person owns assets through a business?

You can often find information about business ownership by searching your state’s Secretary of State website for business registrations. Look for companies where the individual is listed as an owner, officer, or registered agent.

Are vehicle registrations public information?

In most U.S. states, vehicle registration information is considered private and is not readily available to the public due to privacy concerns. Some limited access might be available through specific legal channels or for law enforcement purposes.

Can I find out if someone has investments like stocks or bonds?

Directly finding out specific investment holdings is difficult and often private. However, if the individual is involved in a legal proceeding that requires asset disclosure, such as divorce or probate, investment information might become part of the court record.

What are public records?

Public records are documents or information that are not considered confidential and are accessible to the general public. Examples include property deeds, business registrations, court filings, and some vital records.

What is the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)?

The FCRA is a U.S. federal law that regulates the collection and use of consumer credit information. It restricts who can access credit reports and for what purposes, generally requiring your permission for most uses.

What should I do if I suspect someone is hiding assets?

If you have a legitimate legal reason to believe assets are being hidden, especially in cases like divorce or debt collection, consult with an attorney. They can advise on legal discovery methods and potentially hire forensic accountants or private investigators.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Detailed instructions for specific legal actions (e.g., filing a lawsuit, navigating probate). Consult an attorney.
• Access to highly private financial information like individual bank account balances or detailed investment portfolios without legal cause. Seek legal counsel for discovery.
• Information on accessing records in foreign countries. Research the laws of the specific country or consult an international legal expert.
• How to conduct surveillance or illegally obtain private information. This is illegal and unethical.
• The process of asset tracing for complex financial crimes. This often requires specialized forensic accounting and legal expertise.