Private and business investigations — Address tracing
Locate a person's current address
Are you trying to find a relative, a former friend, a business contact, a debtor or another person whose current address you do not know? Dutch Detective Agency carries out focused address tracing in the Netherlands and, where possible, across borders.
Focused digital address research
Through careful digital research and extensive desk research we bring together the leads that are available. We consult and analyse relevant, lawfully accessible sources in order to establish a person's current residential address or whereabouts.
Our efficient approach allows us to give direction to an enquiry quickly. What is possible, and how long it takes, depends on the information available, the circumstances and the country where the person sought may be staying.
VOW enquiries: departed to an unknown destination
In the Netherlands, address tracing is sometimes called a VOW enquiry. VOW stands for ‘Vertrokken Onbekend Waarheen’: departed to an unknown destination. The term may be used when someone is no longer registered at the last known address and no new address is known.
A VOW registration does not automatically mean that the person has left the Netherlands. They may have moved without re-registering, be staying elsewhere temporarily, or not be registered at a current address for another reason.
Dutch Detective Agency examines the available leads in order to establish the current address or whereabouts. If a lead points abroad, we assess which investigative options are available.
Which details do we need?
For an address investigation we prefer to receive the full name together with as much additional information as possible, such as:
- a previous address;
- date of birth or age;
- telephone number or email address;
- employer or occupation;
- known relatives or connections;
- social media profiles;
- a possible town or region.
Limited information is often enough to start
Even with limited information an enquiry may still be possible. The more reliable leads are available, the more precisely the investigation can be carried out.
A clear outcome
You receive a clear account of the findings. Where a current address can be established with sufficient certainty, it is included in the report. If an address cannot responsibly be confirmed, we explain which sources and leads were examined and what they produced.
We make no promise of a result in advance. We do apply our experience, investigative methods and available sources purposefully in order to obtain clarity.
Careful and confidential
Address tracing is only carried out where a legitimate and lawful investigative interest exists. We therefore assess the purpose of the request and the relationship between the client and the person sought beforehand.
Our investigations are subject to applicable privacy law, the Dutch privacy code of conduct for private investigation agencies and our duty of confidentiality. Information is provided only to the client, within the investigative purpose agreed in advance.
Would you like an address investigated?
Outline your situation by email, through the contact form or by telephone. Briefly state who you are looking for, which details you already have and why you need the current address. We then assess the options and let you know which approach is appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
- What does VOW mean?
- VOW stands for ‘Vertrokken Onbekend Waarheen’: departed to an unknown destination. It may be used when someone is no longer registered at the last known address and no new address is known. It does not automatically mean the person has left the Netherlands.
- Which details do you need for an address investigation?
- Preferably the full name plus as much additional information as possible: a previous address, date of birth, telephone number or email address, employer, known relatives, social media profiles or a possible region. Even limited information may be enough to start.
- Do you always find an address?
- We make no promise of a result in advance. If an address cannot responsibly be confirmed, we explain which sources and leads were examined and what they produced.
- Can the enquiry continue across borders?
- Where a lead points abroad, we assess which investigative options are available. Timescales depend on the information available and the country involved.
- When do you carry out an address investigation?
- Only where a legitimate and lawful investigative interest exists. We assess the purpose of the request and the relationship between the client and the person sought beforehand.
- What does an address investigation cost?
- After your first message you receive a written plan of action with a cost framework. The agreed payment terms are set out in the quotation or engagement confirmation.
Other investigations
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Concerns about integrity? Establish the facts before the damage increases.
Suspected misconduct can seriously affect trust within an organisation, particularly where confidential information may have been shared, personal interests appear to influence decisions or an employee may be misusing their position.
Theft or fraud within your organisation? Establish the facts.
Are goods, money or other company assets disappearing without a clear explanation? Or do you have concrete indications that an employee, supplier, visitor or other person is misusing access to your organisation?
You are welcome to discuss your situation
Outline your situation. We respond as soon as possible and are available by telephone and online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Please do not attach sensitive case documents or medical data to a first message. Outline your situation; we continue through a secure route.