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Government Assistance in Locating People

IRS and Social Security Can Help

By , About.com Guide

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Social Security Administration offer assistance in locating private individuals in the United States. The State Department's American Citizens Service Abroad can assist you in locating U.S. citizens living or visiting abroad.

Internal Revenue Service

When humane reasons are involved, the IRS may locate and forward letters to individuals. A few examples of cases in which the IRS might assist include:

  • To notify someone of a serious illness, imminent death, or death of a close relative,

  • To seek an individual for a medical study to detect and treat medical defects, or

  • To notify an individual who cannot otherwise be located that he or she is entitled to certain assets. The IRS will forward a letter from an attorney, estate administrator, or other person who directly controls the assets.

    For more information and clarification as to what may constitute "humane" reasons, you may refer to the IRS Handbook 1.3, Chapter 11, or see: IRS Policy Statement P-1-187. If you would like the IRS to help you locate an individual, place a personal letter addressed to the individual in a blank envelope. Include first class U.S. postage, and do not seal the letter. Place the unsealed letter in another envelope and address it as follows:

    Internal Revenue Service
      Office of Disclosure Operations
      1111 Constitution Avenue NW
      Washington, DC 20224

    Social Security Administration

    The Social Security Administration will attempt to forward a letter to a missing person for reasons similar to those mentioned in the IRS section above. There is a $3.00 charge for forwarding letters to inform persons about money or property they may be owed. Humanitarian letters are forwarded free of charge.

    Follow the above IRS guidelines for sending a letter, and address it to:

    Social Security Administration
      Office of Public Inquiries
      6401 Security Blvd.
      Baltimore, Maryland 21235

    Department of State

    The US Department of State, Overseas Citizens Services will help locate relatives or friends who are overseas when there is concern about their welfare or a need to notify them of emergencies at home.

    The Privacy Act requires that U.S. citizens over the age of 18 provide a Privacy Act waiver before information about them is released to a third party.

    Persons in the United States may inquire about the welfare or whereabouts of U.S. citizens abroad by calling the Overseas Citizens Services at 202/647-5225. You may also contact the American Citizens Service Section of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate directly.

    You will need to have the following information available when you call or contact the Department of State:

  • Your full name, address, telephone number, and relationship

  • The name of the person abroad

  • Their date and place of birth

  • Their passport number (if known)

  • Their last known address and phone number; itinerary

  • Reason for their travel/residence abroad (business, tourism, etc.)

  • The date you last contacted them

  • Other points of contact abroad (friends, relatives, business associates, etc.)

  • For emergency messages, also include:

  • Nature of the emergency

  • What message should be provided to the person

  • Name, address and telephone number and relationship of person you wish to be contacted after the emergency family message is delivered by the U.S. embassy or consulate

    If you would like more information about locating persons of unknown whereabouts, you may call the General Services Administration's toll-free at 1-800-FED-INFO, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. eastern time.

    To locate active duty or retired members of the U.S. Military, see: Locating US Military Personnel

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