You meet someone intriguing – perhaps through friends, at work, or yes, even online. The connection feels promising, but a lingering doubt creeps in. Are they being totally forthright when they say they’re single?

Maybe it’s not even about you – perhaps it’s your best friend’s new flame or your dad’s suspiciously secretive girlfriend.

Sure, you can just ask outright, if you muster up the courage. However, if someone’s being less than honest about their marital status, a direct question might not get you the real answer. So what can you do?

In this article, we’ll explore some ways to uncover the truth about someone’s marital status. 

Method 1: Conduct a Simple Google Search

Before diving into more complex methods, start with a simple Google search. It’s quick, free, and can often reveal surprising information about someone’s marital status. 

A Google search can be effective because many life events, including marriages, leave digital traces. You might find wedding announcements in local news sites, mentions in community event articles, or public social media posts about engagements or weddings. 

To get started:

1. Enter the person’s full name in quotation marks (e.g., “John Smith”) into Google.
2. Add keywords like “wedding” “marriage”, or “spouse” to your search. 
3. If you know their location, include it: “John Smith” wedding Chicago.
4. Check both web and image results for relevant information. 

If you have a photo of the person, try a reverse image search:

1. Go to Google Images and click on the camera icon in the search bar.
   
   
2. Upload the photo or paste the image URL.
3. Look through the results for wedding photos, couple pictures, or related social media profiles.

While Google searches can provide valuable clues, they’re not foolproof. Some people maintain a low online profile, or the information you find might be outdated. Always cross-reference your findings with other methods mentioned in this article for a more complete picture.

Method 2: Search for Wedding Registries and Websites

Wedding registries are lists of gifts that engaged couples create at various retailers to help wedding guests choose presents. These registries, along with wedding websites provided, when available, can be useful for verifying someone’s marital status.

To search for wedding registries, visit popular websites such as:

• The Knot: https://www.theknot.com/registry/couplesearch
  
  

When available, click on the link and navigate to the wedding website where you may be able to see the couple’s photos and other details.

• Macy’s: https://www.macys.com/registry/search
  
  
  
• Williams Sonoma: https://www.williams-sonama.com/registry/find-registry.html
  
  
  
• Pottery Barn: https://www.potterybarn.com/registry/find-registry.html
  
  

It’s important to note that not being able to find their wedding registries doesn’t necessarily mean that they are not married. Wedding registries may be deleted after the event, or the couple might not have created one. In addition, people might use different names or variations of their names on registries, you suggest you always cross-reference information from multiple sources.

Method 3: Find Clues on Social Media

An individual’s social media is a treasure trove of information. Some may post photos online that give you insights into their interactions either with an adult or children. Profile pages on Facebook, for instance, may also mention their relationship status. If your search subject doesn’t leave any traces, also check the profiles and posts of their followers. Check whether your search subject’s face shows up in their pictures or whether they’re tagged. Constant interactions should indicate they’re in close connection.  

If you don’t connect on any social media, utilize Spokeo to unlock their accounts with just a name, email address, or phone number. Spokeo stands out for its extensive reach across social networks. 

Method 4: Observe Subtle Signs in Potential Partners

When getting to know potential dates or partners, it’s not always necessary to gather concrete evidence to determine if they’re being dishonest. Sometimes, you may have an intuition that someone isn’t as single as they claim. There are often subtle signs that might indicate a person is in a committed relationship:

1. Check if there is a tan line or indentation on their ring finger.

One common sign is the presence of a tan line or indentation on the left ring finger, which could suggest regular wear of a wedding ring. However, it’s important to remember that these marks could be from other types of rings, and their absence doesn’t guarantee someone is single. 

2. Pay attention to their availability patterns.

Generally, single people have flexible schedules. If someone is consistently unavailable during evenings, weekends, or holidays, or always turns down spontaneous dates, it might indicate existing commitments. 

In addition, be observant of their behavior when answering phone calls about their whereabouts – acting suspiciously could be a red flag. 

3. They are reluctant to introduce you to their friends or family.

Another potential sign is reluctance to introduce you to friends or family. If you’ve been dating for some time and they still won’t make these introductions, it might be cause for concern. 

4. They prefer to pay in cash.

Some people in committed relationships might prefer to pay in cash rather than with a credit card when you’re out together. While this isn’t definitive proof, consistent insistence on cash payments could be an attempt to avoid leaving a paper trial, particularly if they share a joint bank account with someone else.

5. They may use present tense when discussing past relationships.

When getting to know someone new, paying attention to how they speak about their past relationships can provide subtle clues about their current status. This method gained attention when TikTok user shared her experience, noting that a man she was dating consistently used present tense when speaking about his marriage, despite claiming to be single. 

This linguistic pattern aligns with findings in forensic linguistics and psychology. Researchers have observed that the tenses people use can sometimes reveal their underlying knowledge or state of mind. 

One example comes from a 1994 criminal case^[1] involving Susan Smith, who falsely reported her children as kidnapped. When she spoke about them, she used past tense, saying, “My children wanted me. They needed me.” This raised red flags for FBI agents, as relatives typically refer to missing persons in the present tense.

Though this example is from a different context, it illustrates how verb tense can hint at hidden truths. In relationships, consistent use of present tense when discussing a supposedly ended marriage may suggest ongoing emotional ties. However, it’s important to remember that this method isn’t definitive proof—language can be influenced by many factors.

Method 5: Use a People Search Service

When it comes to searching for an individual’s public records, including marriage records, people search services like BeenVerified can be valuable tools in your quest. 

Compiling data from various public sources, they make searching for an individual’s information become less time-consuming. Besides, they compile all the available information into a comprehensive report, making it easy to locate the information you need.

When available, BeenVerified will include marriage in a person’s report. From there, you should be able to see the marriage date and the names of both parties. If you find it difficult to locate the section that shows marriage records, press Ctrl + F and enter keywords like marriage.

However, it’s still crucial to understand that BeenVerified aggregates public records. While they often provide marriage information, its accuracy and completeness depend on the availability and accessibility of public records in different jurisdictions. When marriage information is not available, take advantage of other information, such as social media profiles to dig deeper. 

In addition, BeenVerified is a paid service. You may look for services that allow you to get the information for free. However, most of them don’t explicitly disclose marriage information. They only provide limited information and some come with intrusive advertisements. If you find any free people search services that provide marriage records, do not hesitate to share with us in the comment section below!

Method 6: Check Marriage Records

If you prefer manual searches and don’t feel it bothersome, you can follow the tips below to find an individual’s marriage records.

Vital records, including marriage records, can be accessed either online at the county clerk or in person at the courthouse of the county where the marriage occurred. Usually, the information will include the names of the parties of the marriage, the marriage date, and other available information. 

To start your search, navigate to Public Records Online Directory and select the state and county where the marriage occurred. It should list the website where you can search for public records online. For instance, the website of Travis County Clerk allows users to search for marriage records.

However, it’s important to note that access to these records may be restricted. In California, the information may not be available to the public if the couple selected a confidential marriage license. 

Method 7: Search for Property Ownership and Tax Records

Property records and tax payment information are usually accessible to the public. Using either a name or an address, you can conduct searches online and find rich information that could include the property owners’ names, sales history of the property, along with other details. 

However, it’s important to note that two people do not need to be a couple to own property together. So you’ll need to collect further proof of the relationship between the owners. Sometimes, records you find may include files that provide such information.

Typically, you can find the property appraiser’s website for the county where the property is located. For example, on the Lee County Property Appraiser’s website https://www.leepa.org/ in Florida, users can perform a quick property search using either the owner name or property address.  

While the owners’ names listed here cannot explicitly tell you the relationship between them, you can click on Parcel Details – Sales / Transactions – Clerk File Number. 

When available, you may see the PDF or copy of a file that includes details about the property owners.

You can also look up property tax payment information on county assessment websites. For instance, the King County Department of Assessments website (for King County, Washington) typically lists property owners’ names and allows you to view sales history to see who previously purchased the property. 

However, you still need to have other associated information to determine whether the two individuals are a couple. And note that the availability and depth of information may vary by jurisdiction. If you have general questions about the search process, feel free to ask for clarification on the methods described. 

Method 8: Seek professional help for legal or financial concerns

In some cases, verifying someone’s marital status becomes crucial due to legal or financial implications. Reddit users have shared such dilemmas, like a man needing to prove his ex-wife’s secret remarriage to stop alimony payments^[2] , or someone concerned about their father’s girlfriend potentially committing bigamy^[3]. These situations highlight when professional assistance becomes necessary.

For these serious matters, consulting a lawyer should be your first step. They can provide legal advice and guide you through your options. In some cases, they might recommend hiring a private investigator, who has specialized tools and methods to uncover hidden marriages or relationships. 

Final Thoughts: Protect Yourself in the World of Online Dating

In today’s digital age, online dating has become increasingly common. While it opens up new opportunities to meet people, it also comes with its own set of challenges. It’s not unusual for individuals to hide aspects of their lives, including their marital status, when dating online.

To protect yourself from potential heartache or falling victim to dishonesty, consider these steps:

1. Be cautious: Take time to get to know someone before fully investing emotionally.
2. Do your due diligence: Use the methods outlined in this article to verify information when you have doubts. A basic background check can provide peace of mind.
3. Trust your instincts: If someone feels off, it probably is. Don’t ignore red flags or inconsistencies in someone’s story.
4. Have open conversations: When you feel comfortable, have honest discussions about your relationship expectations and past experiences. Pay attention to how they respond to these conversations.

1. Lying Words: Predicting Deception From Linguistic Styles. https://web.stanford.edu/class/linguist197a/Lying%20words%20predicting%20deception.pdf↩
2. r/legaladvice. [maxismom52513]. (2021, November 20). How to find out if someone is married. [Online forum post]. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/qy5lk1/how_to_find_out_if_someone_is_married/↩
3. r/RBI. [WelcomeRegular1373]. (2023, November 6). How do i find out if my dad’s girlfriend is married? I think she mentioned that she left her husband but never got divorced and it was decades ago. I have no idea where they would’ve gotten married and her and I arent on good terms now. [Online forum post]. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/RBI/comments/17p03mk/how_do_i_find_out_if_my_dads_girlfriend_is/↩