Before You Hire a Private Investigator in Georgia: Check the License

Before sharing personal information or paying a retainer, take a few minutes to verify the agency you are considering. A professional website, positive reviews, and an impressive résumé can help you evaluate a business, but you should also check its licensing directly.

Whether you need assistance with a family matter, criminal defense case, workplace concern, or another investigation, knowing who you are hiring is a sensible first step.

Start With the Agency’s License

Ask for the agency’s legal business name and Georgia private detective agency license number.

Georgia’s licensing system distinguishes between company licenses and employee credentials. When hiring an investigation agency, verify the company itself rather than relying solely on an individual’s credentials. The Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies provides information about both.

A background in law enforcement can be valuable, but it does not replace the requirement for agency licensing. The Board specifically explains that POST certification does not exempt a company from that requirement.

How to Verify a License

Use the Georgia Secretary of State’s official license search to check the information you receive.

When reviewing the record:

• Confirm that the name matches the agency you intend to hire.

• Check the license type and current status.

• Review any restrictions or public disciplinary information available.

• Ask about discrepancies before paying or signing an agreement.

If you cannot locate the record or do not understand its status, contact the licensing Board for clarification. A license number printed on a website is a starting point; checking the official record is the next step.

Ask Who Will Handle Your Case

Ask whether the work will be performed by the owner, an employee, or another agency. Georgia generally ties private detective employee licenses or registrations to a particular employer. You should understand which agency is responsible for your assignment and who to contact with questions or issues arising from your case.

Look Beyond the License

Licensing is one part of choosing an investigator. Before work begins, also ask:

• What experience do you have with this type of assignment?

• What work are you proposing, and what are its limitations?

• How are time, mileage, expenses, and retainers handled?

• How will you communicate updates and provide findings?

• How will you protect the information I share?

Be cautious about guaranteed outcomes, pressure to pay before receiving clear terms, or reluctance to answer basic questions about licensing and responsibility for the work.

Verify Our Agency, Too

You can search for Tinsley Investigations using Georgia private detective agency license number PDSC001777. We encourage prospective clients to verify our credentials and ask questions before making a decision.

Explore our investigative services or contact Tinsley Investigations to discuss your needs.

Tinsley Investigations

When the stakes are high, every move matters.

Professional investigative services for attorneys, businesses, and private individuals throughout Georgia, including criminal defense investigations, surveillance, child custody investigations, and litigation support.

Email

info@tinsley-investigations.com

(912) 599-2119

© 2026. All rights reserved.

Phone

GA License# PDSC001777

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