Best private investigators in California: find options near you

Peter was awesome! Super thorough and helped calm my nerves with clear and concise communication. Hopefully I won’t need his services again but if I do, I will never use anyone else!!! 10 out of 10 highly recommended!!!

Had a great experience with Javan. Was easy to get ahold of and very quick to schedule services and following up with me. Used him twice and very happy both times would definitely recommend him.

Thank you, Peter Javan Investigations. It was truly a blessing to have your help during one of the most difficult times of my life. Your professionalism, dedication, and commitment to uncovering the truth meant more to me than words can express. During a situation where I felt overwhelmed, falsely accused, and nearly lost my peace of mind, your support gave me hope and confidence to keep moving forward. I am deeply grateful for everything you did on my behalf. Thank you for standing by me and helping me through such a challenging experience. God bless you and your team.

Thank you Peter of Javan Investigations for your expertise and help during an extremely difficult time. With Peter’s help my husband was able to clear his name after being falsely accused and terminated at his place of employment. 5 star Professional investigative services. Peter Explained everything before and after the polygraph and also provides a report of your polygraph results the same day. Highly recommended. If you’re in need call him today!! You will be pleased with his care, concern, and attention to your personal situation. Thank you again Peter!!

Attorney here. I hired an investigator to find someone. He charged my client a bunch of money and failed to even correctly locate the person. After hiring Peter, he found the guy in about an hour and charged much less. Great work.

Mike provided exceptional service throughout the entire asset investigation process. He was professional, responsive, detail-oriented, and incredibly thorough in uncovering valuable information that would have been difficult to find otherwise. His communication was clear every step of the way, and he handled the matter with a high level of discretion and expertise. I truly appreciated his dedication, turnaround time, and ability to deliver accurate results. Highly recommend Mike to anyone needing investigative or asset research services — outstanding experience from start to finish

Mike provided great service for us. He was professional, courteous & patient with me. The service requested was completed expeditiously within 24 hours. Great service Mike. I’ll definitely recommend you to our friends & family. Thank you.

I had a very positive experience working with this private investigator. They were extremely professional, responsive, and efficient throughout the entire process. The turnaround time was impressively fast, and communication was clear and respectful. Although the additional work ended up not being necessary in my situation, they handled everything with integrity and transparency. I especially appreciate that they were kind enough to issue a partial refund for that portion without hesitation. Their professionalism and fairness truly stand out. I would recommend their services to anyone looking for reliable and ethical investigative support.

Empire did a great job attempting to locate an individual for me in the Greater Los Angeles area. They were very thorough and sorted through a tremendous amount of information to do a location. I would recommend them again for any investigative needs across the area.

Mike was a pleasure to work with. He’s professional, reliable, and fair. I am very appreciative of his efforts and would highly recommend his services to anyone in need. Will definitely be referring others to him!

From the first conversation with Tomas I felt confident I was working with someone who truly knew what they were doing. The investigator was professional, patient, and incredibly detail-oriented. They handled my situation with discretion and care, communicated clearly, and provided solid evidence that helped me tremendously. I’m very grateful for their hard work and would absolutely use their services again. I would highly recommend him to anyone! He’s a great communicator and character!

Tom was amazing! I lost my husband a few weeks ago and needed to have his sister served with a restraining order due to ongoing harassment. Tom was incredibly helpful and found a process server for me within just one day. He was compassionate, professional, and made a very difficult situation much easier to navigate. I highly recommend him to anyone who needs prompt and reliable assistance.

I can’t recommend him enough as a private investigator. He truly goes above and beyond and is incredibly thorough in his work. His undercover techniques and ability to gather hard-to-find information are impressive. If your spouse or significant other is hiding income or assets, he knows exactly how to uncover it. For anyone needing solid proof of income for court or legal matters, this is the investigator you want on your side. Reliable, discreet, and results-driven. If your spouse or anyone else is hiding their income, I highly recommend this private investigator. He goes above and beyond to uncover financial information and often obtains additional evidence that can be extremely helpful in court or for child support proceedings. His work is thorough, professional, and provides valuable information that you may not be able to obtain on your own.

I had a very disappointing and frustrating experience with Darkhorse Intelligence. I sent them $350 via Zelle for a service that was never completed. Initially, they provided a partial result — just a basic investigation of where the person might be — but that was far from what was promised. It has now been over three weeks, and I have not received the proof of service I paid for. Even worse, they have completely stopped responding to my messages. No updates, no explanations, nothing. That level of unprofessionalism is unacceptable. At this point, it feels like a scam. I trusted them because they had many positive reviews and seemed legitimate, especially being based in Fresno while I’m in Orange County. But now I seriously question the authenticity of those reviews — they seem misleading at best. I would strongly caution anyone considering using this service. Based on my experience, they take your money and fail to deliver, with zero accountability or communication afterward.

I can’t thank Tom and his team enough for going the extra mile for me when we had a family scare and needed help!! He called and texted the whole time, great communication! Will use for any PI needs!! A+++++++++

Very personal work hard to get the info you want friendly, professional, and genuinely cared about making sure everything was perfect. The quality was excellent, the service was fast, and the attention to detail really stood out. Highly recommend them

Tom was very professional, knowledgeable, and went above and beyond to help me track down a scam artist I couldn’t find! From start to finish, he made the process easy to understand and guided me step by step. His attention to detail and dedication really set him apart. I’m so grateful for his help would definitely recommend to my friends or family and work with him again !!! Thank you Tom!

I called Barbara at Kinsey Investigations after two other firms failed to return a message after 24 hours. She picked up immediately and instantly started to put my family at ease about her ability to help find my missing son (he’d been missing for 5 days). After our initial call, she got me the necessary paperwork nearly instantly and was prepped to get her team working on the case the next day. We thankfully found our son ourselves the day she was going to get the team started, and in fact, she’d already mocked up a missing person’s flyer, and arranged a team meeting. Not only was she so obviously relieved for us that we found him, she was kind enough to refund the retainer, although I knew that was on me. She didn’t even allow me to pay her for her time spent. Barbara clearly is in this for the right reasons. She truly wants to help. I hope nobody has to use these sorts of services, but if you do, call Barbara. You will clearly be in great hands. On the note of her fees, they are extremely reasonable – great value for the services provided.

We retained Kinsey Investigations to conduct an on-site investigation in connection with a business dispute, and they did an outstanding job. Not only did they address every item we requested, but they also went out of their way to gather additional information that was helpful to us. We were deeply impressed by their dedication to the matter. Thank you!

I am writing to formally report an issue regarding a service contract with Kinsey Investigation. I reside in a different state than California and contacted Kinsey Investigation back in June 2026. During my initial consultation with Ms. Barbara Wolford, I provided detailed information and documentation regarding the case I wanted investigated. Following Ms. Wolford’s instructions, I made a payment of $695.00. Subsequently, she emailed me a report that consisted only of the exact documentation and information I had already provided to her, simply presented in a different format. Furthermore, she accessed my personal LinkedIn account, copied my resume, and added it to the report. I have tried on many occasions to email and text message her to request tangible information and actual investigative results beyond what I originally provided. She has refused to reply to my emails and sent text messages stating, «I don’t know what I can do to help you,» «I am not a miracle worker,» and finally, «It’s not my problem.» I feel that my situation has been mishandled and that I have not received the services I paid for despite my repeated efforts to seek help. Thank you for your time and assistance with this matter. Best regards,

I highly recommend Kinsey Investigation NS Private Investigation for their outstanding service, professionalism, and integrity. From the very beginning, they provided me with the support, guidance, and attention I needed. Their ethics are impeccable, and they handled every aspect of my case with discretion, honesty, and genuine care. It is rare to find investigators who combine such expertise with compassion and respect for their clients. Their commitment to excellence gave me confidence throughout the process, and I am truly grateful for their dedication.

Their team was so professional from the start. Efficient and went beyond what our expectations were. I have recommended them to friends and family members as well as to clients – and will continue to do so. In my line of business, trusting and believing in who you deal with is everything.

I was in a tough situation trying to contact someone so we could close an escrow transaction. I tried everythingAI tools, multiple skip trace companies, and every resource I knew but had no luck. Time was running out and it was getting stressful. I finally found this company and decided to give them a shot. Honestly, it was the best decision I made. In less than an hour, they were able to locate the exact person I needed to reach. I couldn’t believe how fast and accurate they were. This service saved my deal and made the whole process possible. Highly recommend them to anyone who needs real results.

I hired Kinsey Investigations on fraud surveillance. They were able to help uncover fraud from their 3 weeks surveillance and helped my business recover a substantial amount of money.

Five Stars Isn’t Enough for Eric Peterson! I would give him 100 stars if I could! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you need a process server or private investigator who actually gets the job done, look no further than Eric Peterson. To put it into perspective: my attorney had previously hired a process server who spent an entire month trying—and failing—to locate and serve the defendant in my case. After four frustrating weeks of zero progress, Eric stepped in. He had the defendant located and served in less than 24 hours. This wasn’t an easy task, either. The service was at a highly secure and challenging location—one that seemed impossible for others, but proved to be no challenge at all for Eric. The level of efficiency, speed, and sheer professionalism he brings to the table is unmatched. Beyond his incredible skills and hustle, Eric is just a genuinely great person to work with—communicative, trustworthy, and deeply dedicated. He took a high-stress situation and completely turned it around overnight. I cannot recommend Eric Peterson highly enough. If you want results instead of excuses, he is your guy! I will be sure to use him if ever needed down the road.

I had an excellent experience working with Eric and would highly recommend his services. He was professional, extremely communicative, and most importantly, got the job done. What I appreciated most was his honesty and transparency throughout the entire process. He provided genuine feedback and recommendations based on what was actually happening rather than trying to unnecessarily extend surveillance hours just to charge more. When the situation called for additional coverage, he recommended bringing in a second agent to make sure the job was handled properly and nothing was missed. I really appreciated his strategy, attention to detail, and willingness to explain his recommendations along the way. Hiring a private investigator can be stressful, but I felt confident that I was in good hands throughout the entire process. He was reliable, responsive, honest, and delivered the results I needed. Truly a 5-star experience, and I would absolutely use his services again if I ever needed to.

Eric at Peterson Investigations did an amazing job helping me with a work-related matter. He responded quickly, provided all the information I needed, and took the time to answer every one of my questions. He was professional, knowledgeable, and very helpful throughout the entire process. I highly recommend Eric and Peterson Investigations!

I don’t usually post reviews, but Peterson Investigation has been great to work with and I felt they deserved one. We’ve been using them for background checks on new hires and have had a really good experiance. The process is quick, communication is great, and the reports are easy to review. There was one applicant we were ready to hire, but the background check brought up some information we wouldn’t have found otherwise. Peterson got the report back fast, answered our questions, and helped us make the right hiring decision. It’s nice working with a company that is responsive and dependable. I would definately recomend Peterson Investigation to any business looking for a trustworthy background check company.

If you are in need of a private investigator, Peterson Investigations helped out with my concerns. Their services and prices were clearly presented prior to hiring the firm. The work that was agreed to was handled professionally with honesty and integrity. The correspondence / communication throughout the investigation was prompt and direct. I am grateful for having found Peterson Investigations and would recommend their services to anyone in need of an investigation.

From the very first time I made contact, I received a professional service. I was assured from the very beginning that I would be supported through out the process and I was. I received the information I required very quickly (within hours), they worked effortlessly to acquire the information which was 100% correct. I highly recommend them, excellent work and great communication with me at all stages. Great team to work with.Good investigators not only act on instructions but also provide advice and guidance, helping clients understand their options and make informed decisions. WELL DONE NAJAR INVESTIGATION FOR YOUR EXCELLENT JOB

I’ve had a difficult last couple of years dealing with every kind of legal hurdle there is, in my attempts to support my dad in his personal injury case. Najar and his team have been solid ground and fighting advocates, even helping me with their extensive network. The genuine respect and care shown by Najar is literally unparalleled across any industry. Thank you Mr. Najar.

I’ve been searching for my children for almost 2 years now and Najar Investigations has gotten me closer to finding them than any other P.I. I’ve employed to date. Professional in every aspect and very quick to respond. I would not hesitate to recommend Najar Investigations to anyone in need of P.I. services.

I hired this private investigator to locate a key witness for my court case, and their expertise was unmatched. Within days, they tracked down the individual and provided me with all the necessary contact information. Thanks Najar Investigations

I reached out to Najar Investigations because I felt that there were hidden cameras in my home (and for very good reason). Mohammed arrived and performed a detailed investigation of my home with the most advanced tools at his disposal. When everything was done, I was provided with the results. I now feel complete peace of mind being in my home with my children. I’ll be sure to recommend Najar Investigations to anyone looking for real results.

I can’t thank Janene Zdawczyk enough for what she did for me. After 34 years of not knowing who my biological father was, she found him in a matter of hours. I had spent years searching, asking questions, and hitting dead ends — and within one day, Janene gave me answers I had been waiting for my entire life. She was thorough, compassionate, and incredibly fast. Her research was on point, and she handled everything with care and respect. This was such a personal and emotional journey for me, and Janene made it possible for me to finally connect the missing piece of my identity. If you’re searching for answers or looking for someone you can truly trust with sensitive work, I highly recommend Janene. Her work changed my life.

I recently consulted with a private investigator who demonstrated exceptional professionalism and a strong commitment to ethical practices. From the start, they asked me numerous questions to ensure I was a legitimate client, which reassured me that they take their work seriously and responsibly. Rather than simply accepting my request at face value, they carefully assessed my situation, making sure my intentions were fair and just. This level of diligence not only protected the person being investigated but also gave me confidence that I was working with someone who values integrity. Throughout the process, the investigator kept me well-informed, explaining each step they were taking and why. Their transparency made me feel involved and in control, rather than just waiting for results without any understanding of how they were obtained. Interestingly, I found that their approach was not only beneficial to me but also considerate of the person being investigated. They sought to uncover the truth in a way that was ethical and respectful, ensuring that both parties ultimately benefited from the findings. I highly recommend their services to anyone looking for a thorough, professional, and fair investigator.

I’ve known Ken at Paramount Investigative Services in LA for years and he’s a true veteran in the industry. He brings a deep level of experience and field knowledge that shows in how he approaches every case. He’s measured, thorough, and consistently effective. I’ve used him for matters that come up in California because I trust his work and his judgment. He understands how to handle sensitive investigations the right way and delivers reliable results without overcomplicating things. Ken is straightforward, professional, and someone I’ve always felt confident referring work to when it falls in his area. He’s the kind of investigator you want involved when accuracy, discretion, and follow-through actually matter, and I don’t hesitate to point people his way when the job needs to be done right.

Ken at Paramount Investigations was professional, responsive, and able to help me locate someone who had been harassing me with very limited information. Thanks to his work, I was able to take the next legal steps. If you’re looking for a Private Investigator in Los Angeles, I highly recommend Paramount Investigative Services.

I had a truly great experience working with Ken at Paramount Investigative Services on a legal matter. From start to finish, the communication was professional, responsive, and genuinely thoughtful. Ken is very hands-on and personally made sure everything was handled smoothly and efficiently. I always felt that my matter was being taken seriously and given the proper level of professional attention it deserved. It’s not easy to find a team that combines high-level professionalism with such a caring, personal approach. Ken and his team delivered exactly what was needed—without complications or delays. I’m sincerely grateful for their support and would confidently recommend Paramount Investigative Services to anyone in Los Angeles who needs reliable investigative, surveillance, or legal support services. Bottom line: they deliver results.

Paramount Investigative Services is one of the best!! I love how quickly they respond to my inquiry. Ken is very responsive, professional, informative and quick to provide an strategy and planning. I highly recommend this company. Will use them again in the future. Thank you again!

Paramount Investigative Services are the best private investigators that money can get. We have worked multiple times on divorce cases and their investigative work helped our clients’ case. From the very first consultation, they understood the work that needed to be done in a high-conflict divorce case. They were were thorough, communicated clearly, and provided regular updates throughout the investigation. The results were delivered quickly and with all the evidence I needed. Ken and Helen were also available to testify in court to attack the other spouses lies, which helped us settle the divorce, saving our client thousands of dollars in legal fees. If you’re looking for a reliable and trustworthy investigator, this is the team to hire. Worth every penny!»

Ken and his staff is an excellent choice when personal efforts hit a wall. The service is quick and efficient, often finding necessary information in just a few days. The attention to detail is remarkable, uncovering information that other sources might miss. These experts in the field provide the peace of mind required for sensitive cases.»

Patient, good listener, and a professional private investigator. I had a great experience with Ken. He took the time to listen to my situation even though I was all over the place, and presented a plan to move forward, and executed the exact strategy we agreed on. Thank you.

Rivera & Associates did a stunning job at securing decades-old legal docs for me. I’m not an attorney, and unlike some other services, they were more than happy to work with a non-professional. They were very helpful in answering all the silly questions a total amateur would ask. They provided lightning-fast communications to every inquiry and delivered exactly what I asked for in much less time than quoted by other vendors. I couldn’t be more satisfied with Rivera & Associates service.

Excellent experience working with Roberto and Rivera & Associates. Great communication, very professional, and truly went above and beyond to ensure proper service. Highly recommend for anyone needing reliable process serving in the area.

They did very well for us. We had a case where the defendant was dodging service. They took all of the proper steps to get them served in a timely fashion. We will be using them again in the future!

I highly recommend Rivera & Associates for all your process serving and investigation needs. Roberto, the owner, demonstrates exceptional pride in his company, the high quality of their work, and his professional team. He only hires employees who share his commitment to clients. Roberto is highly knowledgeable in the law and has the ability to get the job done correctly the first time, which ultimately saves clients time and frustration. No job is too small or too large for Rivera & Associates. If you want a truly professional company, you will not be disappointed working with Roberto Rivera.

I was somewhat disappointed that the agent didn’t quite meet expectations regarding real-life updates accompanied by pictures. It seems weekends posed a challenge for service surveillance, and the agent’s late arrival on a specific day wasn’t ideal. More communication would’ve been appreciated.

I called Investigator Rivera in a bind, seeking an investigator to accompany a client to a proceeding the following day. Investigator Rivera and his team were incredibly responsive, accommodating, and provided me with updates throughout the day of proceeding. They went above and beyond to make sure the client was safe and well taken care of. Recommend 100%!!!

– Prompt Responses – Timely Updates – Accurate Information – Reasonable Rates (Compared) This was the first time I have ever used a private investigation firm. I emailed Rivera & Associates (and another firm) to obtain some general information such as pricing, timeline, etc. Roberto followed up via email same day. He answered my questions and gave me an overview about the process. He was very knowledgeable and he explained what information I would need for my specific circumstance. He had the information within ten days.

I recently worked with Francisco at Quinn & Associates over the past few weeks and have nothing but good things to say about my experience. He was very quick to respond to my investigative needs, very much a professional with decades of experience, and supportive of my unique situation. He’s very personable and understanding of the sensitive nature of the business and will work with you to find the best solution. I was very happy with his tenacity in helping me find the information I needed and the great communication, consistently going above and beyond. 10/10 would recommend for any investigative needs!

Frank is a big help. He explained the process and types of surveillance, because I had no clue where to start. After the surveillance was conducted, they provided me with an intricate and detailed report along with pictures and videos. I would definitely recommend Frank and his team to anyone in need of assistance. They are courteous, professional, dedicated, and quick. Thank you!

I highly recommend, Quinn & Associates, very excellent communication throughout the process, maintained very high level of professionalism, expert and very knowledgeable. Mr. Frank provided updates and responded to all my questions, gave very good advices and delivered a thorough investigative and detailed report. Greatly appreciated and thank you so much.

Frank came to my aid like a brother – compassionate but ready to jump to my defense. He is incredibly detail-oriented and the level information he provides is mind blowing. I was deeply impressed with his quick ability to access accurate data. Thank you so much for all your help!

Frank went above and beyond with helping me to investigate my ex husband’s employer as he does not want to pay child support and changed jobs to try to get away with it. Frank got all the details I needed. His work is high quality. I will seek his services again with no doubt if ever necessary. He listens to your concerns and is also super friendly. I highly recommend him!! Thanks again Frank!!

I hired Wolfe’s Investigations during a very difficult and personal situation when I needed clarity in my relationship. I worked directly with Brian, and I can’t say enough about how professional, respectful, and thorough he was throughout the entire process. Brian handled everything with discretion and kept me informed every step of the way. The information he provided was clear, detailed, and helped me get the answers I needed to move forward with confidence. If you’re looking for a private investigator who is trustworthy, responsive, and truly cares about helping their clients, I highly recommend Wolfe’s Investigations and especially Brian.

Great guy, pretty sure he was in a penthouse magazine once. Not the best PI but hes a good talker

Talks too much, but he gets the job done (biased against lonely wizards and yelp which is understandable)

I was a little nervous hiring him since he didnt have many Yelp reviews. Turns out he was a wizard at what he does. Even played. catch with me after he solved my case

I’m posting this review on behalf of my grandpa Bill who knew Kory Wolfe well back in the mid 80s. They acted together in the same movie «Fill Bill». 4 out 5 stars (he’s a bit talkative).

Brian is truely one of the best. Him and his team work 24/7 to get things done. I needed some help with an asset recovery and return. Him and his team had it in their possession within 24hrs. Talk about efficient, simply amazing. I definitely recommend them and thanks again.

Wolf incestigations is one of Southern California top P.I professionals. Brian and his highly trained and experienced professionals resolved my case in just three days.. very friendly and a team of experts…