
The Searchbug API helps businesses determine if a SSN is valid and who it belongs to. Results include full name, associated aliases, date of birth, last reported address history, and phone numbers. Also alerts you if multiple names found for the SSN. You can search by name, address or phone number too.
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- Verify SSN Owner Info In Real Time
- Ease the pain of Online Fraud and
Identity Theft - Validate People in Seconds
- Avoid making Irresponsible Hiring decisions
XML or JSON Format
Fast & Reliable
No Contracts
Minimum $5
Secure and Private
Data Handling

API - People Search (api_ppl)
The People Search API helps you verify SSN owner and find contact information and background details for people in US.
Results typically include: names, aliases, current and previous addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, date of birth, date of death if deceased, relative names and DOB, SSN, SSN issue date and state, as well as personal bankruptcies, liens and judgements. Driver license info is also available is some states.
Person ID obtained from People Search can be used to access Background Report with even more details (employment info, business associations, evictions, criminal records, personal lien, judgment and bankruptcy filings, licenses, etc.).
Supported search input options:
- SSN
- Last 4 of SSN + First and Last Name (all 3 are required)
- First and Last Name (middle name is optional) + DOB
- First and Last Name (middle name and DOB are optional) + Address, City, State (zip is optional)
- First and Last Name (middle name and DOB are optional) + City, State (zip is optional)
- First and Last Name (middle name and DOB are optional) + State (zip is optional)
- Address, City, State (zip is optional)
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Driver's License Number
SSN and Driver's License Number information, and search by SSN are available only to verified businesses. Review Restricted Access application process below.
Cost is $0.77 to $0.30 per hit, depending on volume. No charge, if info not found.
The rate automatically goes down as your monthly volume increases. The price resets on the 1st of each month.
Estimate your cost

API - PEOPLE TRACE (api_trace)
This API is a professional Skip Trace tool typically used by collection agencies to locate debtors and is now available to ALL our Verified Business Clients with Restricted Access. Results from this API typically include Names, Aliases (aka), Death Records Search, Current Address, Previous Addresses, and phone numbers associated with the SSN when available.
What makes this Skip Trace API the Skip Trace?
Online Skip Tracing from other vendors often turns up data from digital databases, but are you getting the right data? Results often depend on the data quality and the search technology. Searchbug has been online since 1998. We know data. Our Skip Trace services are used by government offices, law enforcement, private investigators, and many other analysts that require a technology that sorts, filters, matches, and looks for the high probability when delivering results.
This API is restricted and available only to verified businesses. Review Restricted Access application process below.
Cost is $1.97 per query.
Output example: XML

API - Match Name and SSN (api_ssnn)
This API is specifically designed to verify if an SSN provided by your customers, employees, or contractors matches their name. This tool is ideally suited for identity verification, issuing 1099s during tax season, and KYC compliance.
There are two options for verifying the Social Security Number (SSN): 1) submitting the last name and full 9-digit SSN or 2) submitting the first and last name and partial SSN (last 4 digits only).
If a match is found, the API returns the name associated with the SSN, recorded dates of birth, cities lived, state and year of issuance, and SSN status (active or deceased).
This API is available only to users approved for SSN Verification Access
Cost is $0.77 to $0.30 per query (match or no match), depending on volume.
The rate automatically goes down as your monthly volume increases. The price resets on the 1st of each month.
Estimate your cost
Do not see what you need? We can create a custom API to suite your needs
or solve data
problems you might be facing. Just ask.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the People Search API used for?
The People Search API helps businesses, investigators, and legal professionals verify identities, find contact details, and enrich their databases with accurate information. It’s often used for lead generation, background verification, KYC processes, and customer record enhancement.
What are the "Find" APIs used for?
The Find Name and Address, Find Phone Number, and Find Email APIs are used for many of the same purposes as the People Search API. The main difference is the quality and source of the data. As such, these APIs are generally used more for general marketing purposes.
How to find a name from a phone number?
Our People Search API and Find Name and Address API allow users to search by phone number to identify the owner’s name and address. It’s ideal for businesses needing to validate customer data or track down missing information.
Is this API suitable for KYC compliance?
Yes! The People Search API is often used in KYC processes to confirm customer details before onboarding. Financial institutions, insurance companies, and compliance teams rely on this API to meet regulatory requirements.
How do I pay for API services?
All of our APIs work off of a prepaid balance. First, you load your account with a predetermined amount of funds between $10 and $5000. With each API call, the system will slowly chip away at your prepaid balance. When the prepaid balance gets low, the system automatically replenishes your balance with the predetermined amount.
To add a prepaid balance, log into your account and click your name at the top > select 'Your Account' from the dropdown menu > under the 'Billing Details' section click 'SWITCH PLAN'.
How does the API pricing work?
When a query is successful (called a "hit"), charges apply. There is no charge if there is no information found on a query. The cost per hit decreases as your monthly volume increases, making it cost-effective for businesses handling high search volumes.
Can I test the API before purchasing?
Yes! We offer free API testing for qualified users. Register for a no-obligation Sandbox API Test Account, and you’ll receive a limited number of live queries to evaluate the quality of our data before fully integrating.
How often is the data updated?
Searchbug utilizes sophisticated algorithms to search a multitude of data sources to ensure the contact data quality is always fresh, accurate, up-to-date, and never stale.