FAQs

Yes. Private investigators, similarly to law enforcement, have access to licensed databases and other information sources that are not accessible to the general public. Private investigators often have specialized knowledge of surveillance techniques and other investigative methods, which can be useful in gathering evidence, building a stronger case, or reaching the desired outcome.  PIs are not law enforcement and do NOT have access to every resource allowed by law enforcement.

1. Speak with the individual over the phone, in person, or via virtual meeting (i.e. Zoom) in order to discuss the case and their goals. During this time, we will address the individual’s concerns and we can assist with those concerns.
2. After coming to an understanding of what the investigation will entail, a price for service will be determined.
3. The client will then receive a retainer agreement that simply reiterates the services and pricing agreement.
4. The client will receive an invoice via Quickbooks in order to pay for services in advance, as agreed upon in the retainer agreement.
5. After both the retainer agreement has been signed and the invoice has been paid, we will begin our investigative efforts, keeping the client updated along the way.
6. After the investigation is complete, a final, court-ready report will be provided to the client.

We can absolutely help people that live in other states. Our investigative abilities reach not only across the country but around the globe as well.

We provide you with over 50 years of combined experience. Our experience, attention to detail, and dedication to our clients is unmatched. We work with compassion and understanding, knowing that our clients are typically experiencing difficult situations. We take pride in our professionalism and commitment to ethics.  Proven Private Investigators is fully licensed and insured, and produces court-ready reports for each client that we work with.  Anna is a long-time member and serves on the Board of the California Association of Licensed Investigators.

The extent of a criminal history we can obtain largely depends on the counties and states in which we uncover criminal records.  While some counties keep records dating back to the 1980’s and 1990’s, others only maintain records post-2000. In most cases, we can see the existence of case records, but on older cases, we may not be able to obtain a copy of the actual record.

A PI can place a tracker on a vehicle if, and only if, they have permission from the registered owner of the vehicle to do so. Proven Private Investigators does not offer this service.

No, private investigators are not legally allowed to hack or tap your phone. You have a right to privacy and we gladly uphold this. We also do not have access to read an individual’s text messages. That’s only on TV!

 If you and your spouse/significant-other share a cell phone plan, then you are entitled to detailed statements for each month that will include the phone numbers that have been texted or called. The provider won’t likely be able or willing to provide details on what was actually said in those texts, but you will at least be able to see who they are communicating with. This of course depends on the cell provider.  If you are the registered owner of the vehicle that they drive, you are lawfully able to place a tracking device on the vehicle, which could tell you where the vehicle has been and for how long.   Please exercise this right with caution.

We can absolutely find people that are living in other states and run background investigations on individuals living in other states. Our investigative efforts reach across the nation and globally.

Yes.  Private investigators can testify in court, and every finalized report issued by our office will be fully court-ready.

Yes! Though our office is located in California, we have a broad network of investigators across the nation.

1. How many counties/states that individual has lived in over time.
2. How active that individual has been with the court system (i.e. have they been arrested multiple times, or been involved in other types of lawsuits).
3. The turn-around time it takes for courts to provide copies of court records, or the means in which they allow record requests to be submitted (i.e. do they take record requests via email or are they required to be delivered via snail mail).

In most cases, our licensed databases allow us to find someone in a matter of hours, depending on how much information is known about the individual. In rare cases, locating an individual can take upwards of six-months, but this is typically only the case when little is known about the individual, and a significant amount of time has gone on since the client last had contact with the individual (i.e. high school sweethearts that lost touch 40+ years ago).

Yes. Our databases allow us to locate individuals by use of other identifying information, which can then lead us to their current residence. In very rare instances, we can also perform surveillance as an individual is leaving work or an event, and trace them back to their residence.

The process of becoming a PI will depend on the state that you live in. If you live in California, the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) will require you to be 18, pass an exam, and have three years of investigative experience or a degree in law or certain criminal justice topics, as specified at the BSIS site. The application to become a private investigator in California can be found on the BSIS website, along with other tips and insights on getting licensed. There are ways to get experience before becoming licensed.  Whether you live in California or not, our company offers instruction and advice on licensing across the country. Please reach out to let us know that you are interested in becoming a licensed private investigator, or are considering the career, and we will add you to our FREE community of like-minded individuals with this same goal.

Yes, it is legal to be a private investigator. We are licensed, insured, and ethically bound.

No, private investigators are not cops. We operate in the private sector.

Private investigators can make citizens’ arrests, just like any other citizen; however, this is not in the same capacity that law enforcement would make an arrest.