How to Remove Yourself From US Search

US Search, also known as USSearch.com, is a people-search website that aggregates and publishes personal information such as your full name, current and past addresses, phone numbers, relatives, and sometimes email addresses or age. If you value your privacy, removing yourself from US Search and similar data broker sites is an important step toward reducing your online exposure. This guide is written for anyone who wants to limit how easily strangers, marketers, or potential stalkers can find sensitive details about you and your family.

What US Search Is and Why Removal Matters

US Search is one of many consumer data brokers that compile public records, voter rolls, property deeds, and other legally available information into easy-to-search profiles. Unlike social media, you never signed up for an account. The site simply collects and sells access to your data. Anyone with an internet connection can look you up, often without your knowledge.

Removing your information reduces the chance that your home address ends up on a random website, lowers the risk of identity theft, and makes it harder for harassers or scam callers to obtain your phone number and current location. Because data brokers regularly refresh their records, a one-time removal is rarely enough. You will need to check back every few months. The process is legal in most states, but the sites are not required to make it easy.

Step-by-Step: How to Remove Yourself from US Search

US Search requires you to locate your listing first, then submit an opt-out request. The process involves several verification steps to prove you are the person in the record. Here is the exact path that works as of 2025:

1. Go to www.ussearch.com in a private browsing window.
2. In the search bar at the top of the homepage, enter your full name and click Search. If you have a common name, add your city and state to narrow the results.
3. Browse the results and click on the listing that matches you. Look for details such as your current address, age, or relatives to confirm it is your profile.
4. On the profile page, scroll down until you see a small link that says “Opt Out of this Record” or “Remove This Record.” It is usually located near the bottom of the page or in a footer section. Click it.
5. You will be redirected to an opt-out form. Fill in the exact name, address, and any other requested fields exactly as they appear in the listing.
6. US Search will ask you to verify your identity. This is typically done by receiving a one-time PIN via postal mail sent to the address listed in your record. Enter the mailing address where you want to receive the letter.
7. Submit the request. US Search states that they will mail the verification code within 5–10 business days.
8. When the letter arrives, return to US Search, locate the same profile again, and enter the PIN in the verification field provided.
9. After successful verification, US Search will confirm that the record has been suppressed. Save the confirmation email or screenshot for your records.

The entire process usually takes two to three weeks because of the postal mail step. You must repeat this for every listing that belongs to you, your spouse, or your children if they appear in results.

Removing Records for Family Members

If you are protecting your household, search for each person individually. Children’s records sometimes appear because they are listed as household members. Use the same opt-out steps above for each name. For minors, you may need to include a parent’s name in the verification letter. Some parents choose to wait until children turn 18 and handle their own removals, but removing a minor’s address early can still reduce exposure.

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

• Searching only once and assuming every record is gone. US Search often has multiple listings for the same person under slight name variations or old addresses.
• Using an email address or phone number that is not already publicly tied to you. The opt-out process works best when the information you provide exactly matches what is already published.
• Forgetting to check back. Data brokers re-add records when new public records appear. Set a recurring calendar reminder every 90 days to search for your name again.
• Skipping the postal mail step or moving before the verification letter arrives. The PIN is sent to the address shown in the record, so make sure you still receive mail there or have a trusted person forward it.
• Expecting instant removal. The site may continue to show your information for up to 30 days after verification while their system updates.
• Using automated “personal information removal” browser extensions that click the wrong links or fail to complete the mail verification. Manual attention is still required for US Search.
• Only removing from US Search and thinking the job is finished. There are hundreds of similar sites (Intelius, BeenVerified, Spokeo, PeopleFinder, etc.) that share and resell the same data. Removing yourself from one does not automatically remove you from the others.

Dealing with Reappearance and What to Do If It Goes Wrong

If your record returns after a few months, repeat the opt-out process. Keep records of every confirmation you receive. If US Search refuses to honor a verified opt-out or you encounter technical problems, you can send a formal written request by postal mail to their consumer support address (listed in their privacy policy footer). Include your full name, all known addresses, a copy of your driver’s license or other government ID (redact the photo and ID number), and reference the previous opt-out confirmation.

In states with stronger data broker laws such as California, Virginia, or Colorado, you may also submit a formal “Delete My Personal Information” request under the applicable state privacy law. These laws sometimes provide faster enforcement options if the site ignores your request.

If you receive spam calls or mail that clearly came from US Search data after you opted out, document the contact and report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. While this does not remove your data, it creates a paper trail that can help if you need to escalate.

The faster way

Manually repeating this process across hundreds of data broker sites is tedious and time-consuming. Each site has its own search, opt-out form, and verification method, some requiring email confirmation, others phone calls or even notarized letters. For many people the most practical solution is to use a service that handles the repetitive work. GalaxyWarden’s DoxxScan automatically scans and submits opt-out requests across more than 800 data broker and people-search sites, then continues to monitor for new listings. It can be a helpful option if you want to spend your time on other priorities while still keeping your information suppressed.

Removing yourself from US Search is a worthwhile investment in your family’s privacy. Start with one profile today, keep records, and make it a habit to check every few months. Consistent effort delivers real results.