How to Find Out If Someone Is Still Living

If you're looking to reconnect with an old friend or family member but haven't had much luck finding them, you might want to consider the possibility that they're deceased. Unless they died and were unidentified, anyone who is deceased is "registered." There is a quick and easy way that you can find if the person you're searching for has died or not.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet connection

Instructions

1. Search local obituaries. By searching the obituaries, you can find when and if the person died. If the person has passed, you can also find out where he was buried and who the surviving family members are. Go to Ancestry.com and click on "Search." Select "Birth, Marriage and Death" from the left side of the screen. Select "Death, Burial, Cemetery and Obituaries" from the right side of the screen. Enter in as much information as you know about the person in question. Click "Search" to find out any death information.

2. Obtain a copy of any death records and/or death certificates. Send a letter to your state's Vital Records office. Include in the note the full name of the person you believe may be deceased, date of birth and where they were living last. The Vital Records office will do a search for you and send you back a death certificate if applicable. The Vitalrec.com lists the addresses of vital records offices by state.

3. Check the online Social Security death index. Type as much as you know about the person: last name, first name, middle name, Social Security number. Click "Submit" or "Advanced Search" if you know more information about them. Within minutes you'll know if a death index exists for the person.

References

• Ancestry.com: Death, Burial, Cemetery and Obituaries
• Vitalrec.com: License Index
• Roots Web: Social Security Death Index

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish