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Find an address to serve papers
Solicitors, litigants in person and process servers use Trace Bureau to establish where a party is currently registered before service. Our report is dated and rated, which is what you need if service is challenged.
Who instructs this
Solicitors, barristers’ clerks, litigants in person, process servers, insolvency practitioners.
How it works
- Provide the party’s details and the nature of the proceedings.
- Choose Priority if you have a court deadline.
- Receive a dated report with the current registered address and our confidence rating.
Questions about this
Can the report be used as evidence?
The report sets out the address, the confidence rating and the date. Many clients exhibit it to a certificate or statement of service, and we provide a signed statement on request.
How fast is Priority?
Within 2 to 3 working days of instruction, and worked the day it is accepted. A Standard trace takes 3 to 5 working days.
Guides that go with this
Serving court documents when you don't have an address
CPR rule 6.9 allows service at a last known residence only after reasonable steps to find a current address. How a dated trace report meets that duty.
Read the guideFinding a defendant's address for a small claim (Money Claim Online)
Money Claim Online needs a current address for the defendant. What happens if it is wrong, what the rules allow, and how a £150 trace gets you one.
Read the guideWhat is an enquiry agent? Enquiry agents and enquiry agencies in the UK explained
An enquiry agent makes enquiries for solicitors and creditors: tracing people, serving documents, taking statements. What one does, what it costs, who to use.
Read the guide