How to Locate Someone with Only a PO Box

A reader asked, “I need help locating someone with only a PO box. I am looking for my birth father and ran a basic people search. But the only address listed is a P.O. box across the country from me. What can I do?”

This is more common than you might think. When searching for any individual, especially after years of limited contact or no contact at all, a PO Box can feel like a dead end—but it doesn’t have to be.

A PO Box often surfaces because people use them for privacy or business mail. It is less direct than a street address, yet it still links to a physical location. Knowing what to do next is the key, and that is where Searchbug helps.

Why a PO Box Still Points to a Street Address   

• Anyone who rents a USPS PO Box completes Form 1093 and shows government-issued ID plus a physical address.
• USPS keeps that information on file, and licensed investigators can review it when a legal purpose is presented.
• Most renters tie the PO Box to credit-card billing, business registrations, or mail forwarding from their home.
• These connections appear across financial, utility, and government databases, creating a trackable trail.
• Private mailbox providers—UPS Store, Postal Annex, Mail Boxes Etc.—follow the same ID rules and also store the renter’s physical address.
• Subscription deliveries, court filings, or utility connects push the same data into commercial databases that professionals query.

How to Use Searchbug for a Reverse PO Box Search  

Searchbug’s Find Residential Address from PO Box Number service, or also known as Reverse PO Box Search, lets professional researchers handle the heavy lifting for you.

1. Create a free account

Visit searchbug.com and sign up. Verification is instant, with no recurring fees or subscriptions. You only pay for the search you order.

2. Fill in the order form

Provide:

• The box holder’s full or business name

• The PO Box number and ZIP code

• Providing additional information such as city, nickname, age range, or known relatives helps the investigator significantly. The more details available, the higher the chances of accurately identifying the correct match.

3. Submit the search

Searchbug’s investigators cross-check USPS records, private data sources, utility connects, and other licensed data to locate the forwarding or street address.

4. Wait for the report

Most results are delivered within 1 business day. In some cases, the search may take longer depending on available data or follow-up needs.

Pricing  

Searchbug charges a flat $49.97 for each Reverse PO Box Search. The fee covers investigator time, database access, and a clear report—either the best current address or a “no info found” note if the trail is cold. Additionally, if no info is found, you are eligible for a $39.97 refund.

How Searchbug Stacks Up Against Other Options  

Unlike subscription sites such as Whitepages Premium or Spokeo, Searchbug offers one-time search options—no monthly fees or recurring charges. You get a licensed 3rd party investigator handling your request, not just automated public data.

While subscription databases promise quick results, they often miss people who don’t share their information publicly. A licensed investigator conducts the search using verified data sources—such as credit headers, utility records, and other restricted databases—to locate the most accurate and current address available. If no information is found, you are eligible for a partial refund of $39.97.

DIY approaches—mailing letters, searching public records, or cold-calling clerks—may save money but often take longer and produce mixed results. Searchbug saves time and brings trained professionals into the process.

Why This Method Works  

1. Regulatory filings reveal the trail – USPS, utility, and private data files must list a real physical address, even when someone lists a PO Box for daily mail.
2. Licensed access opens locked doors – Searchbug investigators can tap into resources the public cannot access.
3. Cross-database triangulation sharpens accuracy – A full name, birth date, and other markers across several feeds increases the chance of success.
4. Human review filters noise – A professional spots typos, duplicate profiles, or stale addresses that mislead automated tools.
5. Compliance is baked in – Each lookup is logged and purpose-verified under GLBA and FCRA, protecting both you and the subject.

Possible Roadblocks and Additional Steps to Locate a PO Box  

Not every search ends with one tool. If Searchbug returns no current address, or if you need more background, consider these moves:

• DNA genealogy platforms – Services like AncestryDNA or 23andMe can reveal relatives who share segments with you. A cousin near the PO Box ZIP can provide valuable clues.
• People Search Tool – A people search tool can reveal current and past addresses, known relatives, phone numbers, and aliases linked to a PO Box.
• Social media lookup – Combine the name with the city or ZIP on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, or Instagram. You may spot mutual connections or tagged family photos.
• County public records – Many counties post voter rolls, property deeds, and court dockets online for free. A quick search in the linked county can surface a home address.
• USPS letter method – Mail a polite note to the PO Box with “Return Service Requested.” If a forward is on file, USPS may return the envelope with the new address.
• Legal guidance – An attorney can petition a court for sealed adoption or probate files when you have a legitimate reason.
• Professional genealogy services – Specialists in adoption cases can step in if the trail grows cold.

Constraints to keep in mind:

• The renter might have closed the box or used a false name.
• Court orders can block disclosure in witness-protection or domestic-violence situations.
• Some users work hard to stay off data grids, so records can be thin or outdated.

Knowing these limits helps you plan realistic next steps and manage expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions  

1. Is this service legal?

Yes. Searchbug works only with licensed professionals and follows U.S. statutes such as GLBA and FCRA. Most requests require a permissible-purpose check.

2. What if no forwarding address exists?

You receive a clear “no-match” report. If absolutely no information is found, you are then eligible for a partial refund. The exact refund amount is listed in the “No Info Refund” section on the order form.

However, if the investigator finds any information related to your subject—even if it’s partial or outdated—no refund will be issued. In these cases, your report may still include useful clues or recommendations for next steps, such as checking county records or running a social media search.

3. I have two PO Boxes for the same person. Should I run both?

One search often suffices, though running the second can confirm a move pattern. Start with one and decide after you see the result.

4. How fresh is the data?

Since this is conducted by a licensed 3rd party investigator, the data is verified and comes from premium databases. They cross-check USPS records, credit headers, utility connects, and other licensed data sources to locate forwarding addresses accurately, ensuring the information is fresh and reliable.

5. Can I do this at the post office?

No. In most cases, USPS clerks cannot disclose PO box renter addresses. Only law enforcement or licensed entities with subpoena power may access Form 1093 details.

Legal and Ethical Use  

Use any address you receive responsibly. U.S. privacy laws such as the Gramm‑Leach‑Bliley Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act limit how personal data may be used. Reconnecting with family is generally lawful; harassment or discrimination is not. During the ordering process, Searchbug requires you to certify your intent to comply with these laws.

Searchbug doesn’t provide information for marketing purposes or illegal use. That’s an important distinction. If you’re trying to reconnect with someone or resolve a legal or personal matter, this tool is a legitimate resource. But if your intent doesn’t meet legal standards, the service will deny your request.

Next Step  

If you’re looking for your birth parent and the only clue you have is a PO Box, one focused reverse search could save weeks—or even years—of uncertainty. Searchbug doesn’t just return data. It can give you a real lead toward reconnection. Creating a free account takes just minutes, and you only pay if you submit a request.

Bottom Line  

A PO Box doesn’t have to end your search. Searchbug’s Reverse PO Box Search gives you a legal and reliable way to trace the street address tied to that box—and possibly the person you’ve been hoping to find. It’s not a shortcut, but it’s a tool built for moments like this.

Reconnecting with a long lost friend, acquaintance, or parent can feel overwhelming, but the right information gives you something priceless: a way to move forward with clarity and care.