What is Official USA?
Official USA is a U.S.-based data aggregation website that compiles and displays publicly available information about individuals residing in the United States. Originally launched in the late 1990s as a directory for official U.S. government and state websites, it has since evolved into a people search platform that offers free access to personal data. Users can search names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, property records, age, relatives, and even employment history. Official USA serves as a centralized public records search tool, it has become controversial for how easily it exposes private details, prompting many people to seek ways to remove themselves from its listings.
Where does Official USA get my information?
Official USA collects people’s information from various public and government records that are legally available under U.S. law. Here are the main sources:
1. Public Records
Official USA pulls data from publicly accessible records maintained by federal, state, and local government agencies. These may include:
- Voter registration records
- Property ownership and tax records
- Court filings (civil cases, bankruptcies, judgments)
- Marriage and divorce records
- Business licenses or permits
2. Real Estate and Property Databases
They often source property-related information from county assessor offices and real estate listings, which include:
- Property value
- Purchase history
- Lot size
- Mortgage details
- Address history
3. Telephone Directories
Some of the phone numbers and addresses listed come from old and current white pages and public telephone directories.
4. Marketing and Consumer Data Lists
In some cases, Official USA may obtain data from marketing companies or third-party data vendors that legally collect information through:
- Online purchases
- Surveys
- Newsletter sign-ups
- Loyalty programs
5. Other Public Data Aggregators
Official USA may also buy or receive data from other data brokers or people search websites that gather and resell consumer information.
Although this information is legal to collect and display, the way it is aggregated and made searchable by name makes it a serious privacy concern. Let me know if you’d like help finding out what data about you is visible on the site.
How Does Official USA Use My Data?
Official USA uses your data primarily to power its people search service, which allows anyone to look up information about individuals living in the United States. Here’s how your data is used:
1. Displaying Personal Profiles to the Public
Official USA creates searchable profiles using your name, address, phone number, relatives, and other public details. These profiles are freely accessible to any user without needing to create an account, which makes it easy for strangers to find and view your personal information.
2. Selling or Sharing Data with Third Parties
Though Official USA does not always disclose exactly how they monetize, like many data brokers, they may sell, share, or exchange your data with third-party companies. These can include:
- Marketing firms
- Advertising networks
- Other people search websites
- Background check services
This helps them generate revenue and expand their data reach.
3. Supporting Marketing and Advertising Purposes
Your information may be used to build consumer profiles that advertisers or companies use to target you with personalized ads, emails, or promotional content. While you may not see the direct connection, your profile can help companies refine their ad strategies.
4. Contributing to Other Databases
Once your data is collected and indexed on Official USA, it can easily be copied or sold to other people-search platforms and data aggregators. This causes your personal details to spread across the internet, often without your knowledge or consent.
5. Enabling Searches for Legal, Personal, or Investigative Use
People such as employers, neighbors, or private investigators may use Official USA to gather background information. Though it’s not a formal background check service, the site provides enough personal data to be used informally in screening or investigation processes.
In short, Official USA uses your data to make it publicly searchable, monetize it through data sharing, and indirectly support marketing, targeting, and other online identity tracking efforts. That’s why removing your information is crucial if you want to take control of your privacy.
Why Remove Information From Official USA Is Important
In today’s digital world, your personal information is more vulnerable than ever. Official USA gathers and publishes publicly available data, such as your full name, home address, contact numbers, and even information about your relatives. While this may seem harmless at first glance, making such data easily accessible online can lead to serious privacy and security issues. Removing your information from Official USA helps you regain control over your personal data and protects you from potential risks.
1. Protects Your Privacy
When your personal details are listed on Official USA, anyone—including strangers—can look you up and find out where you live, who your relatives are, and how to contact you. Removing this information helps maintain your personal boundaries and keeps your private life away from public exposure.
2. Reduces Risk of Identity Theft
Identity thieves often use personal information like your full name, date of birth, and address to steal your identity and commit fraud. With this information, they may apply for credit cards, open bank accounts, or file fake tax returns in your name. Taking your data off Official USA limits what cybercriminals can access.
3. Helps You Avoid Scams and Spam
Scammers and telemarketers often harvest contact information from data broker websites. Once your phone number or email is listed publicly, you may start receiving unwanted calls, spam texts, or phishing emails. Removing your profile can help reduce these annoying and dangerous contacts.
4. Increases Your Personal Safety
For individuals facing threats, such as stalking, harassment, or domestic abuse, having a home address publicly listed can be extremely dangerous. By removing your information from Official USA, you make it harder for dangerous individuals to find or reach you, improving your physical safety.
5. Prevents the Spread of Your Data
Once your information appears on Official USA, it can easily be shared or sold to other data broker sites. This causes your personal data to spread across the internet without your consent. Opting out of Official USA stops this chain reaction before it expands further.
6. Helps Maintain a Clean Online Reputation
Outdated, incorrect, or irrelevant data on people-search sites can damage your online image. For example, a potential employer or client might find confusing or misleading information about you. By removing it, you take charge of how you appear to others on the web.
7. Gives You Peace of Mind
Knowing your personal data is no longer easily accessible online brings a sense of control and relief. It reduces anxiety about who might be looking up your information and what they could do with it. This peace of mind is an important benefit of taking privacy seriously.
How To Remove Information From Official USA
Removing your personal data from Official USA is possible through their opt-out request system. Follow these steps carefully:
- Visit the website: https://www.officialusa.com. Use the search bar to enter your full name and state or city. Scroll through the results and find your listing.
- Copy the link address (URL) from the search results page.
- Go to the OfficialUSA/opt-out and fill the form. Enter your full name and email address. Paste the URL of your profile into the required field and write address and then proceed to the next step.
- A list of similar records will appear on the next page select your record. Click on the ‘Remove’ button at the bottom of the page after selecting your record.
The team will remove the data in a few days.
Conclusion
In an age where personal privacy is constantly under threat, taking steps to remove your information from data broker sites like Official USA is not just smart—it’s essential. By understanding what Official USA is, how it collects and uses your data, and why removal is important, you can take control of your digital presence and protect yourself from identity theft, scams, and unwanted exposure. This blog serves as a clear, step-by-step guide to help you safeguard your personal information. Whether you’re concerned about online privacy, safety, or your reputation, the information provided here empowers you to act confidently and reclaim your right to stay private in a connected world.
Frequently Asked Question
How to contact OfficialUSA directly?
You can contact OfficialUSA (OfficialUSA.com) directly via their opt‑out/contact form on the website. They do not list a public phone number or email address for general inquiries.
How does it take to get my information removed?
It typically takes 5 to 15 minutes to submit an opt-out request via OfficialUSA’s online form, then your information is usually removed almost immediately, but may take up to 7–14 business days to fully process and be cleared from their listings.