National Online Clearinghouses for Missing Persons: A Guide to English-Speaking Countries

National Online Clearinghouses for Missing Persons: A Guide to English-Speaking Countries

By: Shane Lambert
Original publication date: October 5th, 2025

Online clearinghouses for missing persons are essential tools that enable families, law enforcement, and communities to collaborate in resolving cases. These platforms centralize case data, facilitate tip submissions, and often integrate forensic databases.

As most of the readers at Missing Persons Commentary are English speaking, I decided to start, build, and update a page for English-speaking countries that have developed online clearinghouses for missing person cases. 

Below, I explore key clearinghouses in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and other English-speaking regions, highlighting their features and impact.

United States: NamUs – A Comprehensive National Resource

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), launched in 2009 by the U.S. Department of Justice, is a cornerstone for missing persons cases (namus.nij.ojp.gov). Handling over 600,000 annual reports, NamUs offers a free, public-access database for missing persons, unidentified remains, and unclaimed bodies. Users can search profiles, submit anonymous tips, and upload family DNA for matching. Law enforcement accesses forensic tools like fingerprint and dental analysis. With an estimated 100,000 active cases at any time, NamUs has resolved thousands, empowering families to engage directly in searches.

Canada: Canada's Missing – Centralized Coordination

Canada's Missing (canadasmissing.ca), managed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains (NCMPUR), addresses 70,000–80,000 annual reports, most resolved quickly.

The platform provides searchable profiles of missing individuals and unidentified remains, with tools for tip submissions and downloadable posters. Canada’s Missing also promotes awareness through campaigns, supporting families navigating long-term cases. Furthermore, there are publications regarding missing people provided.

United Kingdom: UK Missing Persons Unit – National Investigative Support

In the United Kingdom, the UK Missing Persons Unit (UKMPU), part of the National Crime Agency, operates its primary resource at nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/missingpersons. Handling over 200,000 annual reports, the UKMPU serves as a national and international liaison for missing persons and unidentified remains cases. 

The charity Missing People (missingpeople.org.uk) complements this with an independent appeal database and 24/7 family support, enhancing community outreach.

Ireland: Garda Missing Persons – DNA-Integrated System

Ireland’s An Garda Síochána maintains its missing persons portal at garda.ie/en/missing-persons, featuring active case profiles, including children linked to globalmissingkids.org. The site supports tip submissions and integrates with Forensic Science Ireland’s DNA database, established in 2015, which stores profiles from relatives and remains for international matching via Interpol. Northern Ireland aligns with the UK’s system under the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Non-profit efforts like missing.ie provide additional helplines for families.

Australia and New Zealand: Regional Focus with Public Engagement

Australia’s National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC), run by the Australian Federal Police, operates via missingpersons.gov.au, profiling over 2,600 long-term cases from 38,000 annual reports. It promotes cases through social media, posters, and National Missing Persons Week, linking to state databases. New Zealand’s police maintain a concise list at police.govt.nz/missing-persons, displaying select cases with permission and offering guidance for international reports. Both nations emphasize rapid resolution, with most cases closing within days, but stress ongoing cross-border needs.