How to Search for a Missing Person by Name

To find out if someone is listed as missing, start with the Crime Solvers Central search, which covers U.S. and Canadian cases in one place and also shows similar spellings of the name, so a case entered as "Jon Smyth" still turns up when you search "John Smith". Then check NamUs (the U.S. national missing persons system), NCMEC (for children), your state's missing persons clearinghouse, and Canada's national missing persons site for Canadian cases. If nothing comes up, try nicknames and ask the local police whether a report was filed.

Updated November 15, 2026 · Crime Solvers Central, an independent, volunteer-run cold case site

Search missing person cases from the U.S. and Canada by name, age, sex, race, dates and location in one search. Results include similar spellings of the name, so misspelled or differently spelled cases still turn up. Names, photos and case details are free.

Search missing persons

Where to search

Crime Solvers Central: one search across U.S. and Canadian missing persons, plus unidentified and unclaimed persons and unsolved homicides, including similar spellings of the name. See the Missing Persons Database.
NamUs, the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System run by the U.S. Department of Justice. Anyone can search its public case information.
NCMEC, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, for missing children and young adults.
Your state's missing persons clearinghouse, usually run by the state police or bureau of investigation. Many publish a searchable list.
Canada: the RCMP's national Canada's Missing site and provincial police sites. See how to search for missing persons in Canada.
Local news: search the person's name with "missing" and the city.

Why spelling matters, and how our search handles it

Names in case records are often spelled differently from how the family spells them: typed from a handwritten report, entered under a legal name, or simply misspelled. Most name searches only find the exact spelling you type, so one wrong letter can hide a case.

The Crime Solvers Central search shows your exact matches first, then a separate list of "Similar spellings of" the name you typed: names that sound alike and are spelled almost the same. For example:

Searching John Smith also finds Jon Smyth.
Searching Kathryn also finds Katheryn or Kathrin.
Searching Reyes also finds Reyez.

If there are no exact matches at all, you'll still see the similar spellings instead of an empty page. It works across missing persons, unsolved homicides, unclaimed persons, and the possible names listed on unidentified cases, and it checks each part of a multi-word name. The list is kept to close spellings, so it won't fill up with unrelated names. Nicknames that are spelled differently (Bill for William, Peggy for Margaret) are a different name, so search those separately.

Try a name search.

How to search well

Try every version of the name: full legal name, middle name, maiden or married name, nicknames, and common misspellings.
Search by details, not just name: sex, age range, state and the year they went missing. Names are sometimes entered wrong.
Check the date range: cases are listed by the date the person was last seen, which can be long before the report.
Look at photos carefully: hairstyles and weight change; focus on the face, tattoos and scars.

If the name doesn't come up

Not every missing person is listed publicly. Some cases are never entered, and some are kept private at the request of police or family. If you can't find someone:

Call the police department where they lived or were last seen and ask whether a missing person report exists.
If you are family and no report exists, file one. You can also enter the case in NamUs, which publishes it after the investigating agency verifies it.
Check unidentified and unclaimed cases too. See how to find out if an unidentified person matches your missing loved one.

If you think you've seen a missing person

Don't approach them if there's any risk. Call 911 if it's urgent, or call the investigating agency listed on the case with the case number, where and when you saw them, and a description.

Search missing person cases from the U.S. and Canada by name, age, sex, race, dates and location in one search. Results include similar spellings of the name, so misspelled or differently spelled cases still turn up. Names, photos and case details are free. See membership options.

Search missing persons

Frequently asked questions

How do I find out if someone is listed as missing?

Search their name on Crime Solvers Central, which covers U.S. and Canadian cases and shows similar spellings, then in NamUs, NCMEC for children, your state's missing persons clearinghouse and Canada's national missing persons site. If nothing comes up, ask the local police whether a report was filed.

Is there a free missing persons search?

Yes. Names, photos and case details on Crime Solvers Central are free, and NamUs, NCMEC, state clearinghouses and Canada's national site are free to search.

Why can't I find a missing person by name?

The name may be spelled differently, the case may be listed under a nickname or legal name, or it may not be public. Try other spellings, search by age, sex, state and year, and ask the local police whether a report exists.

What do I do if I recognize a missing person?

Call 911 if it's urgent. Otherwise call the investigating agency on the case with the case number and where and when you saw them.

Can I search for a missing person if I'm not sure how the name is spelled?

Yes. The Crime Solvers Central search shows exact matches first, then similar spellings of the name you typed, such as Jon Smyth for John Smith, across missing persons, unsolved homicides, unclaimed persons and the possible names on unidentified cases.

More help for families

Crime Solvers Central is an independent, volunteer-run case research and advocacy site, not a law enforcement agency. In an emergency call 911. Questions? Contact us.