Can a Private Investigator Find Someone?

Whether you’ve lost contact with a family member, are trying to locate a former partner, or need to find someone who owes you money, it’s natural to wonder: Can a private investigator help me find them?

There’s a lot more to what private investigators do than just locating people—but the short answer is yes, with some important qualifications.

Private investigators (PIs) are trained to uncover hard-to-find information using legal tools and specialized methods that go far beyond what most people can access on their own. Unlike law enforcement, which may be limited to criminal matters, PIs can take on civil or personal cases—especially when time, discretion, or legal strategy is a priority.

In this post, we’ll break down how private investigation agencies locate people, what you can expect from the process, and when it makes sense to hire one.

Can a Private Investigator Really Find Someone?

Yes—but it depends on the circumstances. Private investigators regularly help locate people who are difficult to track down through normal means. This includes missing relatives, estranged partners, debtors, witnesses, birth parents, or individuals intentionally hiding from contact.

That said, a PI’s success rate hinges on a few key factors:

• What information you can provide at the start (names, dates of birth, last known locations)
• Why the person is missing (e.g., lost touch vs. intentionally evading contact)
• Legal and privacy considerations (some searches may require the subject’s consent, especially in family law contexts)

Unlike casual internet sleuthing, licensed investigators have access to tools like:

• Professional-grade databases
• Real-world surveillance techniques
• Interviews with neighbors or known associates
• Experience interpreting patterns in digital footprints, including across social media platforms

In many cases, a seasoned investigator can pick up where the trail went cold—especially if the person in question doesn’t want to be found.

Reasons to Hire a Private Investigator to Find Someone

People turn to private investigation companies to find someone when other methods have failed—or when discretion and results are more important than speed. Law enforcement agencies play a critical role in locating people in certain legal matters, but not always. While every situation is unique, some of the most common reasons include:

• Locating a Missing Loved One. Whether it’s an estranged family member, runaway children, or a birth parent you've never met, reconnecting with someone from your past can be deeply personal. PIs are skilled professionals with experience navigating emotional, often decades-old cases with care and professionalism.
• Tracking Down a Debtor or Scam Artist. If someone owes you money or defrauded your business and has since vanished, a PI can help uncover their whereabouts. This is especially useful in civil cases where locating the individual is a prerequisite to legal action.
• Finding a Witness in Legal Proceedings. Attorneys may hire investigators to locate key witnesses who’ve moved or become unresponsive. A PI’s ability to quietly trace a person’s current address and verify identity can help move a case forward.
• Confirming the Wellbeing of Someone You've Lost Contact With. Sometimes, people just want peace of mind. A private detective can discreetly verify that someone is alive, safe, or still residing at a known location—even if there’s no direct communication afterward.

In all of these scenarios, hiring a licensed PI ensures the search is handled professionally, ethically, and with a greater chance of success than trying to piece things together on your own.

How Private Investigators Find Missing or Hard-to-Find People

Private investigation agencies use a combination of research, fieldwork, and professional tools to locate individuals—even those who don’t want to be found. While the exact approach varies based on the case, here are the most common strategies:

Skip Tracing

Skip tracing is the term for locating people who have “skipped town.” It combines data analysis with investigative work to uncover a person’s current whereabouts using:

• Credit headers and change-of-address records
• Phone and utility account activity
• Employment or business registration records
• Online profiles and public-facing data

This method is especially common in debt recovery, fraud, or civil lawsuit cases.

Accessing Specialized Databases

While most people rely on Google or social media, private investigators can legally access professional-grade databases not available to the general public. These databases may include:

• Criminal and civil court filings
• Property ownership records
• Professional licenses and business registrations
• Some DMV records (in some states)

This data helps triangulate a person’s most recent movements or confirm conflicting identities.

Interviewing Known Contacts

Sometimes, the most valuable leads come from people who know the subject—whether friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors. Investigators are trained to approach these conversations tactfully, without revealing too much or compromising the case.

Digital Footprint Analysis

Social media activity, email addresses, and even online reviews or forum posts can help pinpoint someone’s location or habits. A skilled investigator can trace usernames across platforms or find clues hidden in old accounts and cached pages.

Surveillance and Field Investigation

If a person is believed to be in a certain area, fieldwork may involve discreet observation, verifying addresses, or cross-referencing license plates and public movement. This is often used to confirm someone is living or working at a suspected location.

Each method is used with care, legality, and client goals in mind. When combined, they give investigators a powerful edge in locating people even when conventional efforts fall short.

What Information Do Private Investigators Use to Track Someone Down?

The more information you can provide at the beginning of an investigation, the more effective and efficient the search will be. Private investigators can work with surprisingly little—but having a solid starting point greatly improves accuracy and speed.

Here are the most useful types of information a PI may request when trying to locate someone:

• Full Name and Known Aliases. Legal names, maiden names, nicknames, or known online usernames all help refine the search—especially if the person has changed identities or uses multiple names.
• Last Known Location. Even a rough idea of where someone last lived, worked, or was seen can guide skip tracing efforts. Past addresses, cities, or even neighborhoods can lead to useful records or witnesses.
• Phone Numbers and Email Addresses. Old or current contact info can be used to trace service records, billing accounts, or linked social media accounts—creating valuable breadcrumbs.
• Known Associates and Relationships. Names of relatives, employers, or close friends can reveal connections or provide avenues for contact. In some cases, the subject may be living with or near someone in their network.
• Online Activity. Past social media profiles, online reviews, posts, or usernames can help track someone’s digital footprint—especially if they haven’t maintained privacy settings or have left identifying comments.
• Legal or Financial Documents. If available, things like eviction records, civil judgments, or bankruptcy filings can offer fresh leads—especially for subjects avoiding financial obligations.

The goal isn’t to hand over a perfect dossier—it’s to give the investigator a head start. Even small or old details can unlock a critical clue when interpreted by a professional.

What Private Investigators Legally Can and Can’t Do

While private investigators have access to tools and techniques the average person doesn’t, they’re still bound by the law. When it comes to finding someone, a PI can:

• Access public records and professional databases
• Interview contacts and observe behavior from public spaces
• Use legal surveillance methods to verify location

However, they cannot:

• Hack phones or social media accounts
• Trespass on private property
• Impersonate law enforcement
• Install tracking devices without consent

A licensed PI will always stay within legal boundaries—ensuring that any evidence or information they uncover is both ethical and admissible if needed.

How Long Does It Takes to Find Someone

The time and cost involved in locating someone can vary widely depending on the circumstances. Some people are found in a matter of hours—others may take days or even weeks.

How Long Does It Take?

A private investigator’s timeline depends on:

• The amount and quality of initial information you provide
• Whether the person is actively avoiding being found
• Jurisdictional or legal limitations (e.g., access to records in different states)

Simple cases (like locating a person with a recent address history) may be resolved quickly. However, more complex cases involving intentional evasion, missing persons, or limited digital trails naturally take longer.

Should You Hire a Private Investigator to Find Someone?

If you’ve been trying to locate someone without success, a licensed private investigator may be your best option. Whether the person you're searching for has disappeared intentionally, lost touch over time, or left behind a trail of outdated information, professionals like those at Davis & Forest have the tools, training, and discretion to uncover answers that others miss.

Hiring a PI doesn’t guarantee instant results—but it does give you access to a methodical, legal, and highly experienced approach to finding people, even in challenging circumstances.

Ready to take the next step?
Contact Davis & Forest Investigative Group today for a confidential consultation. We’ll assess your situation, explain the process, and help you move forward with clarity and confidence. Learn more about our missing persons services today.