How to Find a Good Private Investigator

A bad private investigator (PI) can waste your time, compromise your case, provide unusable evidence, and expose you to legal consequences. Such investigators typically operate without proper licenses, use unethical tactics that can get your case dismissed in court, break state surveillance and privacy laws, or even disappear after taking your money. That’s why you need to take the right steps to be sure you’re hiring a quality investigator for your needs.

To find a reliable private investigator, ask for recommendations from attorneys and other trusted sources. Then, research online to find out more about them. Verify that the PI is properly licensed and insured in your state, read client reviews, and schedule interviews to ask about methods, timelines, and pricing. Finally, make sure everything is documented in a written contract before work begins.

At On-Call Legal Process Servers, our licensed private investigators have a proven track record of delivering results that are lawful, ethical, and court-ready. We provide advanced surveillance and investigative services to help you find the information you need, whether it involves surveillance, background verification, or locating evasive individuals. Schedule a free consultation with us now to discuss your needs.

In this blog, we’ll show you how to find a trustworthy PI, help you spot red flags and avoid scams, understand how much private investigators charge, and answer other pressing questions you may have about hiring a private investigator.

When Do You Need a Private Investigator?

Generally, you may need a private investigator when a situation requires specialized investigation, surveillance, or information gathering beyond what law enforcement or public resources can provide. This can be in cases involving infidelity or suspected cheating spouse, child custody, background checks, insurance fraud, workplace financial misconduct, finding a lost relative, etc.

Examples of scenarios where you may consider hiring a private investigator include the following:

• When you need information that is not accessible to the public, such as alias tracking, deep property searches, or civil litigation history.
• When you’re getting emotionally involved and losing objectivity in a family case, a PI can handle thorough investigations without bias, thus separating suspicion from actual facts.
• When you have a suspicion without concrete proof, a PI can perform background verification, video surveillance, or financial tracing to unveil hidden truths legally and discreetly.
• When you need evidence that’s admissible in court, a private investigator can collect, timestamp, and document evidence properly, instead of using DIY evidence such as screenshots or recorded surveillance, which might not hold water in court.
• When you want to serve legal papers to someone who is evasive or hard to find, a PI can help you trace and locate the person so you can serve them properly. And yes, private investigators can serve papers, depending on the laws in their jurisdiction.

What Makes a Private Investigator “Good”?

A good private investigator combines legal knowledge, technical skill, ethical standards, and client-centered communication to make them stand out. If you’re looking to hire a private investigator, here are the crucial factors you should look out for:

1. Licensing and Certifications

A good private investigator should be properly licensed and certified according to the legal requirements of their jurisdiction. The requirements of the licensing are designed to make sure that investigators have verifiable qualifications and uphold a standard of professional conduct. For example, applicants must pass a background check and a written exam.

In most states, licensing is mandatory and regulated at the state level. In California, private investigators must be licensed through the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). In contrast, Alabama does not currently mandate a statewide license for private investigators. In states like this, investigators go for voluntary certifications or professional memberships to boost credibility.

2. Experience and Specialization

Efficient investigators bring years of relevant experience and often specialize in particular types of cases. Being experienced means they must have handled a lot of cases, which implies they most likely have a deep understanding of the investigative services they render.

On the other hand, specializing in a specific area means they’re proficient in handling cases in that particular area of investigation. For instance, if you have an insurance fraud case, the right private investigator for you would be one who specializes in insurance fraud cases.

3. Legal Compliance

A good PI must have a proper understanding of the legal and ethical boundaries in their jurisdiction. They understand what they’re legally allowed to do and what could lead to criminal or civil penalties. This is especially important as the laws regulating operational aspects such as surveillance, GPS tracking, or audio recording can vary from state to state.

For example, in California, recording a private conversation without the consent of all parties is illegal under the state’s two-party consent law. A good investigator knows these nuances and makes sure that they gather evidence lawfully. This protects both the client and the integrity of the evidence, especially if it needs to be presented in court.

4. Discretion and Professionalism

Most times, private investigations involve very confidential, sensitive, or legally consequential matters. This means that discretion is crucial. A reliable private investigator knows how to work unnoticed and maintains complete confidentiality at all times.

They avoid drawing attention as they conduct surveillance, protect client identities, and refrain from discussing details of cases outside of professional channels. Professionalism also means presenting findings clearly and objectively. The written reports should be accurate, timestamped, and free of subjective conclusions or speculation.

5. Strong Communication Skills

Clear, timely, and honest communication is one of the most significant attributes that distinguishes top-tier investigators. From the first consultation, a good PI listens carefully to the client’s concerns and asks relevant questions. They also set realistic expectations about outcomes, timelines, and costs.

Throughout the investigation, they give consistent updates, informing the client of developments without breaching discretion. Their final report are always well-organized, containing documented evidence, timelines, photos, or video, as well as a summary of findings.

6. Positive Reviews and References

A competent and trustworthy PI should have a proven track record. It’s a green light if they have genuine positive reviews on platforms such as Google, Yelp, or the Better Business Bureau. Although many clients cannot share detailed experiences due to confidentiality concerns, they may still provide general references or anonymized testimonials.

How to Find a Good Private Investigator

Choosing the wrong PI can waste time, money, or even lead to legal issues, especially in complex investigations. That’s why we’ve carefully put together these steps on how to get a private investigator to guide you:

1. Define Your Needs Clearly – Before reaching out to any investigator, try to pinpoint the specific problem you’re trying to solve. By clearly defining your goals, you can narrow your search to the PIs who have the right tools and training for your situation.
2. Research Online and Ask for Referrals – Start your search by combining online research with personal referrals. You can use reputable directories, local PI associations, or legal networks. In addition, ask attorneys, law firms, process servers, or people you trust if they’ve worked with an investigator they would recommend.When researching online, look for well-maintained websites, detailed service descriptions, and transparent information about their qualifications and process.
3. Check Licensing and Credentials – As you make a list of potential PIs to contact, confirm that they’re legally licensed in your state. Never assume; always request proof of licensing, insurance, and, if necessary, bonding. Moreover, check for affiliations with professional organizations like the National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI) or state-level associations, which often enforce ethical standards and legal guidelines.
4. Review Their Experience and Expertise – After verifying the credentials, conduct your own investigation about the investigator’s background. Find out how many years they’ve been in practice and whether they have handled cases similar to yours. Former law enforcement officers, military personnel, police officers, or legal investigators may bring valuable experience.Moreover, look for investigators who demonstrate an understanding of applicable laws and procedures, use appropriate technology, and can explain how they approach an investigation in detail. Remember, practical expertise in your case type is more important than general investigative knowledge.
5. Read Reviews and Testimonials – Online reviews and client testimonials can tell you a lot about a private investigator’s professionalism, effectiveness, and communication style. Because of the confidential nature of investigative work, reviews may be limited.Nonetheless, a reputable private investigator will often have past clients who were satisfied and willing to give general feedback. Be cautious about consistently vague, overly generic, or unverified praise, as well as those with multiple unresolved complaints.
6. Interview Multiple Investigators – Hiring a private investigator without checking out other available options might not be the best idea, unless they come highly recommended, like our investigative services at On-Call Legal Process Servers.If not, it might be better to schedule consultations with two or three professionals and compare them. Find out how they would handle your specific case, how long it might take, how they communicate updates, and whether they’ve handled your type of case before.
7. Discuss Costs and Get a Contract – Once you’re satisfied with a PI, discuss their service costs upfront to avoid surprises later. Some charge hourly rates, others offer flat fees, or require retainers. Always request a detailed breakdown of costs and billing practices.Before hiring a private investigator, make sure you get a written contract that outlines the scope of work, deliverables, fees, and timelines. A good investigator will be upfront about costs and careful to document the terms of engagement to protect both sides.

How Can You Tell if a Private Investigator Is Untrustworthy?

Many private investigators are professionals, but that doesn’t mean all of them are trustworthy. Some PIs may still engage in unethical practices or try to exploit clients’ vulnerabilities. Hence, to avoid hiring the wrong PI, you need to be able to identify the red flags that suggest a private investigator may be untrustworthy.

The most notable red flag is no license or refusal to show credentials. Every legitimate PI should have no problem presenting their license, business registration, or proof of insurance. So, it’s a major red flag if the PI tries to avoid the question or claims licensing isn’t necessary, even if they’re former police officers.

Another significant warning sign is making promises or guaranteeing results. A trustworthy and reputable private investigator will explain possibilities instead of making unrealistic commitments. They understand that sometimes, surveillance may not yield results, witnesses might refuse to talk, and not every question might get a clear answer.

Another sign that a PI is not trustworthy is giving vague or evasive answers. An investigator should be able to clearly explain their methods, timeline, fees, and approach to handling your specific case. Beware of any PI who seems to speak in riddles or avoids direct answers to your questions.

Furthermore, a PI is likely not reliable if they want to proceed without a written agreement or contract. A professional investigator will always provide a written contract detailing the scope of work, billing structure, responsibilities, and legal boundaries. Refusing to document terms is often a sign they want to avoid future accountability.

Moreover, beware of suspiciously low pricing. Of course, cost alone doesn’t validate or invalidate quality services. However, you should tread with caution if the rates are extremely lower than the general market price range. It’s always safer to evaluate overall value, not just price.

If someone offers to do extensive surveillance or background research for significantly less than the market average, chances are that they may be cutting corners, operating illegally, or planning to upsell later. That’s because private investigations require time, resources, legal compliance, and risk management.

As mentioned earlier, a PI’s website and reviews tell a lot about them. So, it’s a red flag if a PI has no stable online presence – no website, no reviews, no professional listings. This can mean they are inexperienced, new or unregistered, or simply trying to avoid visibility due to unresolved issues with previous clients.

In addition, a PI may not be reliable if they suggest doing anything illegal, such as hacking a phone, recording without consent, impersonating someone, or trespassing. A good investigator knows the law and works within it. You should avoid anyone who offers to get results by any means.

How to Tell if a Private Investigator Is Legitimate

It’s risky to hire a private investigator based on just word of mouth. You should verify that they’re legitimate and that they’re who they claim to be. If you’re unsure of a private investigator’s legitimacy, here are a few steps you can take to verify:

1. Check Licenses and CertificationsThe first and most important step is to confirm that the investigator is properly licensed in the state where they operate. In California, you can search and verify a license via the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS).
2. Confirm Professional Association MembershipsMany reputable investigators belong to professional organizations at the state and national levels. These groups promote ethical standards, continuing education, and peer accountability.

   You can visit these organizations’ websites and check membership directories to confirm whether an investigator is in good standing. Examples include the National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI), World Association of Detectives (WAD), and the California Association of Licensed Investigators.

3. Check for Disciplinary Actions or ComplaintsMost state licensing boards publish disciplinary history or allow consumers to request it. For example, in California, the BSIS provides online access to disciplinary records via its license lookup tool.

   You can also search consumer platforms like the BBB, local court databases, national association websites, or civil case search tools to see if the investigator has been sued, fined, or investigated for unethical conduct. Competent investigators will have a clean disciplinary record or be transparent about any past complaints.

How Much Does a Private Investigator Cost?

Private investigators in the U.S. charge an hourly rate between $50 and $200 per hour, on average. The exact cost depends on the type of service. We’ve detailed everything you need to know about PI costs in our blog: How much does it cost to hire a private investigator.

Note that the prices on this blog refer to general costs and do not refer to our fees at On-Call Legal Process Servers. For a more concise quote tailored to your specific private investigator service needs, contact us to schedule a free consultation and discuss your needs in detail.

Need an Experienced Private Investigator?

Hiring a private investigator can be a daunting task, especially when the outcome of your case depends on accuracy and legal integrity. But by proper research, verifications, and other steps that we’ve recommended in this blog, you’ll be better positioned to make a confident and informed decision. Remember to also watch out for red flags to avoid wasting your time with the wrong team.

You can trust our experienced private investigators at On-Call Legal Process Servers for investigative services that comply with all relevant legal requirements in your jurisdiction. We’re also professional process servers and can help you deliver your legal documents in California and nationwide. Schedule a free consultation with us today to discuss your needs.

FAQ

If you’re considering hiring a private investigator, it’s natural to have questions. Here are quick answers to some of the most common concerns you may have.

Are Private Investigators Legal?

Yes, private investigators are legal and operate under strict regulations in most states. They must follow state laws and cannot perform illegal activities such as trespassing or wiretapping during private investigations.

What Information Can a Private Investigator Find Legally?

The information a PI can legally access includes public records, personal or financial backgrounds. They can also perform surveillance and conduct interviews. However, they cannot hack devices, access private bank accounts, or record conversations with sensitive information without consent where required.

What Questions Should You Ask Before Hiring a Private Investigator?

Ask about their licensing, experience with similar cases, fee structure, client reviews, fees upfront, and methods of communication. Also, confirm whether they will provide a written contract and how they document their findings.

What Is the Best Way to Find a Private Investigator?

Start with referrals from attorneys, trusted professionals, or other clients, then verify licensing and credentials. You can also search online and interview potential investigators to find someone with a solid reputation, the right experience, and the required expertise.