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Identifying birthdates

Purpose

Methods and practical search queries to locate a subject's date of birth using publicly available information. Emphasize verification and legal/ethical constraints.

Direct search (text-based)

  • Google query patterns:
  • "Full Name" birthday
  • "Full Name" intext:birthday
  • "Full Name" intext:"happy birthday"
  • "Full Name" "born" OR "born on" OR "DOB"
  • Site-specific queries:
  • site:twitter.com "Full Name" "happy birthday"
  • site:facebook.com "Full Name" birthday
  • site:linkedin.com "Full Name" OR "Full Name" site:linkedin.com
  • Try variations: nicknames, initials, common misspellings, year-only searches (e.g., "1990" + "Full Name").

Resumes, profiles and public records

  • Search for resume/CV and profile pages:
  • "Full Name resume" OR "Full Name CV"
  • site:linkedin.com "Full Name"
  • site:gov OR site:edu OR site: alumni directories
  • Public records and archives (where lawful): obituaries, alumni lists, professional bios—these sometimes include birth years or full dates.

Image-based clues and geolocation

  • Reverse-image search profile photos, event photos, or posted images to find other copies with captions or dates.
  • Inspect images for contextual clues:
  • License plates, road signs, shop names, language, architectural styles, vegetation, clothing for seasonal context.
  • Visible house numbers, street signs, or business names to search local records or maps.
  • Check image metadata (EXIF) when available, but expect most social platforms to strip metadata.

Platform-specific: TikTok and short-form video sites

  • Search for birthday-related content: captions, comments, hashtags (#birthday, #turning25, etc.).
  • Check pinned posts, video descriptions, and live-stream timestamps for mentions of age or date.
  • Extract thumbnails or still frames and run reverse-image searches.

Verification and documentation

  • Corroborate any found date with at least two independent, public sources.
  • Record the source, URL, and capture timestamp for each claim.
  • Prefer official or self-published sources (e.g., personal website, verified social account) over third-party mentions.

Practical query examples

  • "Full Name" intext:"happy birthday" site:twitter.com
  • "Full Name" "born" site:edu
  • "Full Name" resume OR "Full Name" CV
  • "Street Name" "city" + "Full Name" (when an address clue exists)
  • Use only information that is publicly available and permissible under local law.
  • Avoid doxxing, harassment, or attempts to access private data.
  • If a birthdate is sensitive, consider whether it is necessary to collect or disclose it.

Tips

  • Use multiple spelling and language variants.
  • Search archived pages (Wayback Machine) for removed content.
  • Combine textual and image-based methods for stronger verification.