P.I. MANHATTAN
NYS-Licensed Investigators

Background Checks

Comprehensive background investigations for Manhattan individuals and businesses. Pre-employment screening, business partner due diligence, tenant verification, and personal relationship background checks conducted by licensed investigators.

Free confidential consultation
Every investigator NYS-licensed
Manhattan + NYC coverage
Free Matching Service

Get Matched

A licensed investigator will contact you within 24 hours.

100% FreeNo Spam24hr Response

NYS Licensed

Every investigator in our network holds a current New York State license under Article 7.

Fully Insured

All investigators carry comprehensive liability insurance and are bonded for professional standards.

Former Law Enforcement

Our network includes investigators with NYPD, FBI, and federal agency backgrounds.

Strict Confidentiality

All consultations are confidential. Your information is never shared with third parties.

Background Checks: What You Need to Know

A professional background investigation conducted by a licensed New York private investigator produces fundamentally different results from consumer background check services. Investigators have access to professional databases not available to the public, can conduct source interviews, verify credentials directly, and produce reports that carry evidentiary weight in legal and business contexts.

In Manhattan, where business stakes are high and the cost of a bad hiring decision or a compromised partnership can be enormous, proper due diligence is essential. The person you are about to hire, partner with, or bring into your life deserves genuine scrutiny — not a three-minute online search that misses sealed records, out-of-state litigation, and undisclosed financial problems.

Background investigations range from standard pre-employment screening to comprehensive executive due diligence that examines a subject's full history across multiple jurisdictions. We match you with investigators who have specific experience with the type and depth of investigation your situation requires.

Benefits of Background Checks

Professional Database Access

Licensed investigators access investigative-grade databases that surface criminal records, civil judgments, liens, bankruptcies, and professional license issues that consumer services miss. The difference in coverage is substantial.

Verification Through Direct Contact

Investigators verify employment history, professional credentials, and educational claims through direct contact with employers, licensing boards, and institutions — not just database records that may be outdated or incomplete.

Multi-Jurisdiction Coverage

New York is a state where people move from all over the country. Records in one jurisdiction don't always appear in another. Investigators conduct searches across relevant states based on the subject's known history.

Legally Structured Reports

Reports produced by licensed investigators are structured to meet FCRA requirements for employment screening and are admissible as evidence in civil proceedings where required. Consumer services cannot provide this.

Find Background Checks Specialists

Specialists for background checks covering 57 Manhattan areas.

Search for your area above or to find background checks specialists near you.

Do You Need Background Checks?

Background investigations are essential in these Manhattan contexts:

  • Employers conducting pre-employment screening on senior hires, financial roles, or positions of trust
  • Business owners conducting due diligence on potential partners before signing contracts or investment agreements
  • Individuals considering high-value personal relationships — romantic partners, household staff, or financial advisors
  • Landlords screening high-value tenants for significant Manhattan rental commitments
  • Attorneys conducting adverse party background investigations in support of civil litigation preparation

Our matched investigators offer a free confidential consultation to assess your case and provide a transparent cost estimate before any work begins.

How the Process Works

1

Scope Definition

The investigator defines the scope based on your purpose, the subject's known history, and the jurisdictions to be covered. You receive a clear deliverable description and timeline before work begins.

2

Database and Records Research

Comprehensive records search across criminal, civil, financial, and professional databases covering all relevant jurisdictions. Public records are supplemented with investigative database access.

3

Verification and Source Contact

Key findings are verified through direct contact with employers, institutions, and licensing authorities. Discrepancies between claimed and documented history are identified and noted.

4

Report Delivery

Comprehensive written report delivered within the agreed timeframe — typically 3 to 7 business days for standard cases. Reports include source citations and are structured for attorney review or employment compliance purposes as required.

Background Checks Pricing Guide

Prices vary by case type and complexity. Below are typical retainer and hourly ranges from licensed investigators in our Manhattan network.

Service TypePrice Range
Background Check
$250 – $2,500
Background Check$250–$2,500
Per subjectCriminal records, civil litigation, employment verification, address history, professional licenses

What's Included in the Price

  • Surveillance, HD documentation, GPS tracking, written report
  • Multi-agent teams, HD video and photography, written log, chain of custody report
  • Criminal records, civil litigation, employment verification, address history, professional licenses
  • Surveillance, document review, interviews, digital forensics coordination, litigation-ready report
  • Real estate, business interests, vehicle records, financial instruments, corporate affiliations
  • Surveillance, lifestyle documentation, parenting observation, court-ready evidence package

Billing & Retainers

Most investigators accept retainer payments by credit card, check, or wire transfer. Staged billing against retainers is standard practice for ongoing cases.

Typical Arrangement
Retainer against hourly billing. Staged invoicing standard for ongoing cases.

Background Checks FAQs

A professional background investigation goes well beyond public database searches. It includes criminal history verification across multiple jurisdictions, civil litigation records, bankruptcy and liens, address history, employment verification, professional license checks, and social media analysis. Investigators have access to databases not available to the public or consumer services.

What Manhattan Clients Say

I had suspicions for months but no proof. The investigator they matched me with handled everything with complete discretion and delivered documented evidence within a week. I finally had the answers I needed to move forward. Professional from start to finish.

Rebecca T.
Upper East Side · Infidelity Investigation

We suspected a senior employee was sharing proprietary information with a competitor. The PI they connected us with had a financial crimes background and built an airtight case. The evidence was fully admissible and the matter was resolved decisively.

Jonathan M.
Midtown · Corporate Investigation

I was about to enter a significant business partnership and needed due diligence on my potential partner. The investigator uncovered a prior bankruptcy and two undisclosed lawsuits that completely changed my decision. Worth every cent.

Diana L.
Tribeca · Background Check