Find a private investigator in New York, NY
A private investigator gathers facts and evidence for people, lawyers and businesses. Common work includes background checks, locating people, surveillance and fraud cases. A good investigator follows the law, keeps your case confidential, and gives honest updates about what can and cannot be found.
How many private investigators are in New York?
The Census Bureau counted 78 private investigators with employees in New York, NY in 2023.
Countywide, the five boroughs has 78, or 0.9 per 100,000 residents: about the same as the US rate of 1.0, and 121st of 140 large US cities per resident.
Another 4,406 self-employed businesses in investigation, security and locksmith services are based in the five boroughs, the kind of one-person operation the employer count leaves out.
| Businesses with employees (five boroughs) | 78 Census CBP 2023 |
|---|---|
| Per 100,000 residents, NYC | 0.9 US: 1.0 |
| Rank among large US cities | 121 of 140 county count per resident |
| Self-employed, NYC | 4,406 Census NES 2023: investigation, security and locksmith services |
| Population | 8,516,202 ACS 2023 |
What do private investigators in New York help with?
- Background checks
- Locating missing people or witnesses
- Surveillance
- Infidelity investigations
- Child custody investigations
- Insurance fraud
- Workplace investigations
- Asset searches
- Process serving where allowed
- Legal case support
How do you choose a good private investigator in New York?
- Check the investigator's license where your state requires one.
- Ask about experience with cases like yours.
- Get a written agreement with scope, fees and reporting.
- Ask how they keep information confidential.
- Ask what evidence they can legally gather.
- Ask for sample reports with private details removed.
Most states license private investigators; ask for the license number and check it. See how licensing works for private investigators in New York.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Are you licensed and insured?
- Have you handled cases like mine?
- How will you report results?
- How do you charge?
- What can you legally do and not do?
- How will you protect my privacy?
Red flags to watch for
- Promising results before the work starts.
- Offering illegal methods such as hacking or recording without consent.
- No written agreement.
- Refusing to show a license.
What changes the price?
- Type of case
- Hours needed
- Travel and expenses
- Surveillance equipment
- Database searches
- Reports and testimony
Get two or three written quotes for the same scope of work; prices vary a lot between businesses.
Questions people ask
How many private investigators are there in New York?
The Census counted 78 private investigators with employees in New York, NY in 2023, plus 4,406 self-employed businesses in NYC.
Can a private investigator tap phones?
No. Investigators must follow the same privacy laws as everyone else.
Can a PI find someone who moved?
Often, yes, through public records and interviews. Results vary.
Will my case stay private?
A good investigator keeps your case confidential. Ask about their policies in writing.
Private Investigators in nearby cities
Private Investigators in other cities
Sources: US Census Bureau ZIP and County Business Patterns 2023, Nonemployer Statistics 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates. Census industry groups can include closely related businesses. Expert Helper is a free matching service, not a private investigator.