How to Hire a Private Detective in New Hampshire

New Hampshire licensing at a glance

New Hampshire licenses private detectives through the Permits and Licensing Unit of the New Hampshire State Police.

Step by step: hiring in New Hampshire

1. Define your question. What do you need to know, and what decision depends on it?
2. Verify licensing. Look the detective up on the New Hampshire State Police, Permits and Licensing Unit website rather than relying on a license number shown in an ad. Confirm the license is active and check the agency license as well as the individual's where both exist.
3. Agree on scope and cost in writing. Know what will be done, for how long, and what you'll receive.
4. Share what you know. Names, addresses, photos, vehicles and schedules save billable hours.
5. Insist on lawful methods. New Hampshire generally requires the consent of all parties to record a conversation. Detectives shouldn't hack accounts, pretext for records, trespass or track phones.

What affects the cost of an investigation in New Hampshire

New Hampshire spans 10 counties. Surveillance in a dense area like Manchester may call for two detectives to keep a subject in view, while work in rural counties can involve more travel time. Records research that requires courthouse visits in several counties takes longer than searches available online.

Most surveillance is billed hourly plus expenses such as mileage; defined research tasks are often flat-fee. Our cost guide explains pricing in detail.

Questions to ask a New Hampshire detective

• Are you licensed for work in New Hampshire, and who will actually do the work?
• How often do you handle matters like mine in New Hampshire?
• How do you handle recording and tracking under New Hampshire law?
• Which county courts or records will you need, and how long will that take?
• What will the report include, and could you testify if needed?

More questions are in our list of 15 questions to ask before hiring.

Where we coordinate work in New Hampshire

Mooney & Boland coordinates investigations throughout New Hampshire, including Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Dover and Rochester. See private detective services in New Hampshire for coverage and services.

Local pages for New Hampshire communities:

Common questions

Sources

• New Hampshire State Police, Permits and Licensing Unit (official regulator)
• Justia: Recording Phone Calls and Conversations, 50-State Survey

Reviewed November 2026.