How to Hire a Private Detective in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania licensing at a glance

Pennsylvania licenses private detectives at the county level: licenses are issued through the court of common pleas (clerk of courts) in the county where the business is located, under the Private Detective Act of 1953.

Step by step: hiring in Pennsylvania

1. Define your question. What do you need to know, and what decision depends on it?
2. Verify licensing. Pennsylvania doesn't have a statewide license to look up, so ask about local licensing where it applies, business registration, insurance and experience with matters like yours.
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. Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania spans 67 counties. Surveillance in a dense area like Philadelphia 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 Pennsylvania detective

• Are you licensed for work in Pennsylvania, and who will actually do the work?
• How often do you handle matters like mine in Pennsylvania?
• How do you handle recording and tracking under Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania

Mooney & Boland coordinates investigations throughout Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie and Harrisburg. See private detective services in Pennsylvania for coverage and services.

Local pages for Pennsylvania communities:

Common questions

Sources

• Justia: Recording Phone Calls and Conversations, 50-State Survey

Reviewed November 2026.