Investigation Services
Domestic Surveillance in New York City
Discreet surveillance involving family, children, and the home. Handled with the care these situations need.
Domestic surveillance covers the cases where the people being watched are family. Custody concerns. A teenager you're worried about. A nanny or caregiver. A spouse during a contested divorce. These cases need not just investigative skill, but the judgment to handle situations where children and family relationships are at the center.
What domestic surveillance covers
Our domestic surveillance work includes child custody surveillance for matrimonial attorneys, cohabitation surveillance in alimony cases, nanny and caregiver surveillance, elder care welfare checks, surveillance of a co parent suspected of unsafe behavior, and general home and family welfare investigations. Every case is different, and every case is handled by an investigator experienced in this specific area.
Child custody investigations
When a parent is concerned about what happens at the other parent's home. Substance abuse, dangerous adults around the children, custody violations. Surveillance can produce the documentation that matters in custody proceedings. New York family courts give significant weight to documented, professional surveillance evidence, and our work is built for that standard.
Cohabitation surveillance
In post divorce alimony disputes, proving that a former spouse is cohabitating with a new partner can end or reduce maintenance obligations. These cases need documenting a pattern over time. Not a single night, but the consistent presence that satisfies the cohabitation standard under New York law.
Working with family law attorneys
Much of our domestic surveillance work comes through matrimonial and family law attorneys who use us repeatedly because our reports are court ready and our investigators testify well. If your attorney has not referred a specific PI, we're happy to coordinate directly with their office.
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.
- Penal Law 250.05, Eavesdropping. Wiretapping and intercepting communications is a class E felony in New York. This is the line no licensed investigator crosses.
- New York State Unified Court System rules. The court rules that govern how evidence is presented in a New York proceeding.
- 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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Family & Home case in New York?
Family & Home case in New York?
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Domestic & Family
What domestic surveillance covers
- ✓Watch over a nanny, caregiver, or home situation
- ✓Track a partner’s public movements with a private detective
- ✓Check on a teen’s safety without a confrontation
- ✓Give last minute surveillance for urgent worries
- ✓Deliver a clear, dated report you can act on
- ✓Backed by a New York private investigator with decades of experience
Cost & What You Get
What domestic surveillance costs in New York
Domestic surveillance is billed by the hour, typically with a minimum block of hours per outing, because the value is in sustained, patient observation rather than a quick drive by.
The main things that move the fee:
- the number of hours of observation the case calls for
- one investigator versus a team for mobile or foot surveillance
- locations, distance, and time of day
- whether you need video evidence and a court ready report
- how quickly the work needs to start
A domestic surveillance day is the five hour minimum at $240 an hour for one investigator or $280 for two, plus $100 for the vehicle. That comes to $1,300 or $1,500, and longer watches bill at the same hourly rate. 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 timestamped activity report
- date stamped photo and video evidence
- a clear summary of what was observed
- secure digital delivery
- testimony to the chain of custody if it goes to court
Frequently Asked Questions
Domestic Surveillance. 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 domestic surveillance cover?
It covers private and family matters: a partner's movements, a teenager's safety, an elderly parent's caregiver, a custody concern, or any situation at home where you need to know what is actually happening. We document activity that occurs in public or in plain view and report it factually.
Is home and family surveillance legal in New York?
Yes, within limits. We can observe and record what is visible in public spaces and document patterns of behavior. We do not trespass, intercept private communications we are not party to, or install devices on property we have no legal right to access. Staying inside those lines is what keeps the evidence usable.
Can you help with a nanny or caregiver concern?
Yes. Caregiver and nanny investigations are one of the most common domestic cases. Verifying that a child or elderly parent is being treated and supervised properly. We tailor the approach to your home and the lawful options available to you, and walk you through them in the consultation.
How discreet is the process?
Completely. The subject of a domestic case is usually someone close to you, so secrecy matters even more. We use covert surveillance, unmarked vehicles, and never reveal the client. Nothing about the case is shared outside the engagement.
What can I expect in the report?
A clear, chronological account of what was observed, with dates, times, locations, and supporting photo or video where it exists. It is written to be understood plainly and to stand up if it is ever needed by an attorney or a court.
How much does domestic surveillance cost in New York?
Domestic surveillance is billed hourly with a five hour daily minimum. One investigator is $240 an hour and two are $280, plus a $100 daily vehicle charge, so a standard day is $1,300 or $1,500. Every case is quoted after a free consultation, with a written estimate before any work starts.
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: What to expect during a surveillance operation · What a PI can legally do in custody cases · How professionals stay undetected.
Working in New York City
The city we operate in. Today’s conditions and who lives here
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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).