How do I hire a female private investigator?
Pick a licensed agency that takes your kind of case, ask for a woman investigator by name, and get the rate and the plan in writing before you pay.
Start with the kind of case
Agencies tend to focus. One does infidelity and custody work. Another does insurance and workers comp cases for companies. A third finds people. Look at the work each agency lists on Shleuth and start with the ones that match your case.
Check the license
Most states license private investigators. Ask for the license number on the first call and look it up on the state website. Some states also ask investigators to carry insurance. A good agency will not mind you checking.
Ask who will do the work
An agency owned by a woman may still send a male investigator. If it matters to you, ask for a woman on the case. Ask how many years she has done this kind of work, and whether she has written reports used in court.
Talk about money early
Most investigators bill by the hour, plus mileage and costs like database searches. Many ask for a retainer first. Ask what happens to the retainer if the case ends early, and how often you get updates.
Know what they cannot do
A licensed investigator works inside the law. That means no wiretaps, no hacking into phones or email, no GPS trackers on cars you do not own in many states, and no pretending to be police. If an investigator offers any of that, the evidence can hurt your case and you can get in trouble too.
Questions people ask
Why do some clients want a female private investigator?
Some cases go better with a woman on them. A woman can blend in at places where a man stands out, and many clients in custody, domestic and abuse cases feel safer talking to a woman.
What should I ask before I hire?
Ask for the license number, who will work the case, how they bill, what the report looks like and whether they have testified in court before.
How do private investigators charge?
Most bill by the hour plus mileage and costs, and many ask for a retainer up front. Ask for the rate and the retainer in writing before work starts.
Is it legal to hire a private investigator?
Yes, when the investigator follows the law. A licensed investigator cannot wiretap, hack accounts, trespass or pose as police. If someone offers to, walk away.