How to Find Someone’s Age Using Public Records and Online Tools

Due to the increasing incidents of false identities worldwide, the question “how to find someone's age” has gained significant popularity among internet users. Whether you are verifying a person's identity, doing genealogy research, or trying to reconnect with a lost contact, an age lookup is a step you do not want to miss. This step has been made a lot easier due to the availability of various public records and online search tools.

Looking up an individual's age before entering a business agreement or relationship can protect you from various legal suits and criminal charges. This article explains why you must find a person's age and the methods for conducting age searches.

Why Would You Need to Find Someone's Age?

There are several reasons why you might need to look up a person's age; notable among them are:

• Legal Verification: Finding someone's age is one way to guarantee that a person's identity matches the data they claim to possess. This helps you know if a person has attained the legal age.
• Dating Safety: With most dating websites lacking strict measures in determining the real age of individuals that sign up with them, looking up a potential date's age is essential to determine if they are minors or parading a false identity.
• Genealogy Research: People's age is an essential part of genealogy research. It reveals the positions of each person in a family tree.

Methods for Finding Someone's Age 

Finding someone's age is now easier, thanks to public records and search tools. Here are a few simple ways to determine a person's age:

Searching Public Records

In the United States, most jurisdictions have an open record policy that allows members of the public to search, inspect, and copy public records. Public records include but are not limited to vital records, court records, arrest records, property records, election results, professional licenses, and public employee information.

Public records concerning a particular individual, such as professional licenses, public employee information, court and arrest records, and vital records, often contain the individual's age. Therefore, by searching one or more of these public records, you can determine an individual's age. You can search public records remotely via online databases and in person at appropriate public agencies.

Checking Official Documents

A simple way to find someone's age is to check their official documents. You can contact local offices like the county office, health department, sheriff's office, schools, courts, churches, or professional associations to see if they have records about the person. You will likely need to explain why you want access to these documents. Official records will only be shared if it is clear that sharing them will not harm the individual.

Using Online People Search Tools 

Many online tools let you find detailed information about a person. You can learn their age, location, and job history. To find someone's age, simply enter their name. These services usually require payment, and you will get the information right away.

Reviewing Social Media Profiles

Almost everyone has a social media profile. You can often find someone’s age by looking at their profile. However, this method is unreliable because some people do not share their age. To determine a person’s age, check all of their social media profiles to see if they have more than one. This will help you know if they use the exact date of birth on each platform.

Checking Property Records and Voter Registration

Like most public records, property records and voter registration typically contain each individual’s personal information, including their date of birth. You can access these records by visiting your local county office. Alternatively, you may see online databases provided by government agencies in charge of these records.

Searching Genealogy and Family History Databases

Most states maintain databases containing family history and genealogy; all you have to do is access the database, provide the accurate name of the individual on the search field, and view the results. You may have to visit the agency that maintains genealogy and family history in person if the requested information is not online.

Using News Archives and Obituaries

Local news and obituary announcements generally provide information about the individual involved, such as the person's full name, age, and gender.

Asking Mutual Contacts or Relatives

A simple way to find out someone's age is to ask their relatives or mutual friends. This method usually provides reliable information. However, if the person is much older than their relatives, you might not get accurate details.

Common Challenges in Finding Someone's Age

There are various reliable methods to determine someone's age, yet this task can be daunting due to several challenges:

• Missing Records: The chances of attaining success when researching a person's age depend on the availability of records concerning them. As such, when there are no available records of the individual, it is almost impossible to confirm their age.
• Privacy Settings: Many social media users have privacy settings that restrict their personal information, including date of birth, from public view. This generally reduces one's chances of finding their age on social media profiles.
• Change of Name and Records: Many state laws allow individuals to change their legal name and other personal records, such as age, provided they have justifiable reasons for doing so. A change of name and other personal records typically invalidate all old information about an individual, making it difficult to determine their age. 
• State Confidentiality Statutes: In some states, confidentiality laws prohibit agencies from granting access to official records involving another person. These laws limit one's search options to other methods that may not yield accurate information.

FAQ About Finding Someone's Age

How Can I Find Someone's Age For Free?

You can conduct a free age lookup using several online search tools or public records databases. Alternatively, you can find someone for free by contacting relatives and mutual contacts.

What If Someone's Birth Records Are Not Public?

If birth records are not public, find out which official documents about the individual are not confidential and how to access them. Then, contact the government agency that holds the specific non-confidential record. You can also find an individual's age using free or paid online search tools or by asking their relatives.

Can I Find a Person's Age Using Only Their Name?

Many search tools, both governmental and private, permit inquiries using an individual’s full name. If the name exists in their database, a report will be generated that includes relevant details about the individual, such as their age.

How Accurate Are Online Age Search Tools?

Some reputable online age search tools provide comprehensive information about an individual for a nominal fee. Information on these platforms is usually reliable.

Can You Find Someone's Age by Their Phone Number or Email?

No, there is currently no way to determine someone's age by reviewing their phone number or email. Although phone companies usually keep personal records of customers, including their age, such information is not open to the public.