Investigation Services
Criminal Background Checks in New York City
Pre employment, pre marital, and pre business background investigations by licensed New York investigators. Far beyond what online services give.
There's a real difference between a $30 online background check and what a licensed investigator does. Online services run automated database queries against records that may be incomplete, outdated, or simply wrong. A licensed investigator's background check is verified, sourced, and built for situations where the answer actually matters. Pre employment for sensitive positions, pre marital due diligence on a new partner, pre business investigation of a prospective partner or acquisition target.
Pre employment background investigations
For positions where trust is the whole job. Bookkeeper, executive assistant, in home caregiver, financial services hire. Automated background checks miss exactly the things that matter most. Our pre employment investigations include verified court record checks, employment history verification, education and credential verification, social media analysis, and where appropriate, civil litigation history that shows up nowhere in criminal records.
Pre marital and pre relationship investigations
More common than people might expect: due diligence on a new partner before marriage, blending families, or merging finances. Especially common for wealthy clients and clients whose partner came into their life under circumstances that don't fully add up. These cases need enormous discretion. Most clients never want the partner to know an investigation happened.
Business and partnership due diligence
Before going into business with someone, before acquiring a company, before extending major credit. A real background investigation can identify lawsuits, judgments, bankruptcies, prior business failures, and concerning patterns that don't appear in any consumer grade report. For deal related work we coordinate with counsel and operate within their disclosure framework.
What we cannot tell you
There are limits to what's legal under federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and New York state law. We follow those limits strictly. A reputable PI tells you upfront what cannot be got legally, rather than promising results that violate the law and expose you to liability.
Official sources you can check yourself
We would rather you check this than take our word for it. These are the primary sources behind the guidance on this page.
- FTC guidance on background checks for employers. What the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires before a report is used in a hiring decision.
- General Business Law 380-b, Permissible dissemination of reports. New York rules on who may receive a consumer report and for what purpose.
- New York Department of State license search. Look up any New York investigator by name or license number. Ours is #11000169770.
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Background Checks case in New York?
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Background Checks
What a real background check covers
- ✓Verified identity, not a name match guess from a website
- ✓Criminal and court records
- ✓Civil lawsuits and money judgments
- ✓Business ties, licenses, and known associates
- ✓Run by a licensed private investigator, not an app
- ✓Confirmed by a private detective at the source
- ✓Accurate results from a licensed private detective, every time
Cost & What You Get
What a background check costs in New York
Background checks are normally a flat fee per check, priced by how deep you need to go. From a single jurisdiction criminal search to a full nationwide profile with verifications.
The main things that move the fee:
- the depth: county, statewide, national, or federal records
- identity verification
- employment, education, and license verification
- civil litigation and financial records
- any international components
A background check is a flat $400, and it is free when you book surveillance. A full criminal history search is $600 and takes 3 to 4 days. An asset search covering judgments, liens and bankruptcies is $400 and takes about 2 days, and marital records are $600. Every case is quoted individually. The initial consultation with David is free and confidential, and you’ll get a written estimate before any work begins, with no obligation.
What you receive
- a clear written report of what was searched and found
- verified records, not just raw database hits
- flags on anything that warrants a second look
- a straight recommendation on what it means
Frequently Asked Questions
Criminal Background Checks. Your questions answered
Straight answers to what clients ask most. If yours isn't here, call David directly for a free, confidential consultation.
What does a professional background check include?
Far more than a database printout: verified identity, criminal and court record research, civil litigation history, address history, business affiliations, professional licensing, and reputation work. A licensed investigator confirms the findings rather than handing you raw, unverified data.
How is this different from an online background check site?
Cheap online reports are notorious for false matches, outdated records, and mixing up people with similar names. We verify identity first and confirm records at the source, so you get accurate details you can actually rely on for a hiring, business, or personal decision.
Why would an individual need a background check?
To vet a romantic partner met online, a prospective business partner, a tenant, a caregiver, or a contractor before trusting them with money, your home, or your family. Knowing who you are dealing with prevents most problems before they start.
Is running a background check on someone legal?
Yes, when done for a lawful purpose using lawful sources. Employment screening carries extra rules under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and New York law. We conduct that work in compliance, and we will tell you if a request falls outside what is permitted.
How long does a background check take?
A standard report is often ready within a few business days. Deeper investigations involving court file retrieval, interviews, or out of state records take longer. We give you a timeline up front based on what you need.
How much does a background check cost in New York?
A background check is a flat $400, and free when you book surveillance with us. A full criminal history search is $600 and takes 3 to 4 days. An asset search is $400 and takes about 2 days, and marital records are $600. We tell you exactly what each level includes before you order it.
Related Services
Investigations that often go together
New to working with an investigator? See how we work, our confidentiality standards, or why a licensed PI matters.
From the field: Licensed investigators vs online background checks · The benefits of pre-employment background checks.
Working in New York City
The city we operate in. Today’s conditions and who lives here
New York City · Live
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New York Intelligence Agency works across all five boroughs and the surrounding metro. Understanding the population we serve. Its scale, density, and makeup. Informs how we plan surveillance, locate people, and build cases in the city.
8.5M
Residents across the five boroughs
3.2M
Households citywide
$76,600
Median household income
38
Median age (years)
41%
Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher
68%
Live in renter occupied homes
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (New York City).