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California · 447 communities

Private Investigators in California by City

Choose your community to see which courts hear local cases, how California licenses investigators and how to request a match with a vetted, licensed investigator within our network who works that county.

Request a Private Investigator (629) 310-8667

Licensing

How California Licenses Private Investigators

California regulates investigators through the Private Investigator Act in the Business and Professions Code. The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, part of the Department of Consumer Affairs, issues the licenses and handles complaints. Section 7520 requires a license for anyone who conducts the regulated business or holds themselves out as a licensee, and it is also unlawful to falsely claim to work for one.

A California license can belong to an individual or to a business such as a corporation or LLC. Either way, the work must run under the active control of the licensee or a qualified manager who has passed the state exam. The state license search shows whether a license is current, expired or subject to discipline, so check it before you sign anything.

Courts

How California Courts Are Organized

California has one trial court in each of its 58 counties, the superior court. It hears nearly every kind of case, from felonies and large civil suits to small claims, traffic and juvenile matters. Divorce, custody and support go to the superior court's family law division, and wills, trusts and conservatorships go to its probate division. Large counties run many branch courthouses, so the case may be heard at a location other than the main courthouse.

Communities

California Communities With a Private Investigator Page

Every California community over 3,000 residents, by population (U.S. Census Bureau, April 1, 2020 estimates base and July 1, 2024 estimates (Vintage 2024)).

CommunityCountyPopulation (2024 est.)
Los AngelesLos Angeles County3,878,704
San DiegoSan Diego County1,404,452
San JoseSanta Clara County997,368
San FranciscoSan Francisco County827,526
FresnoFresno County550,105
SacramentoSacramento County535,798
Long BeachLos Angeles County450,901
OaklandAlameda County443,554
BakersfieldKern County417,468
AnaheimOrange County344,561
StocktonSan Joaquin County324,975
RiversideRiverside County323,757
IrvineOrange County318,683
Santa AnaOrange County316,184
Chula VistaSan Diego County278,546
Santa ClaritaLos Angeles County229,159
FremontAlameda County228,192
San BernardinoSan Bernardino County224,775
ModestoStanislaus County220,592
FontanaSan Bernardino County218,455
Moreno ValleyRiverside County213,919
OxnardVentura County200,616
Huntington BeachOrange County193,151
GlendaleLos Angeles County187,823
OntarioSan Bernardino County185,285
Elk GroveSacramento County182,797
Santa RosaSonoma County177,524
Rancho CucamongaSan Bernardino County176,675
Garden GroveOrange County172,361
OceansideSan Diego County170,941
LancasterLos Angeles County167,426
RosevillePlacer County163,304
PalmdaleLos Angeles County162,536
CoronaRiverside County161,540
SalinasMonterey County160,783
HaywardAlameda County158,440
SunnyvaleSanta Clara County156,792
EscondidoSan Diego County148,847
PomonaLos Angeles County147,966
VisaliaTulare County146,271
VictorvilleSan Bernardino County140,721
FullertonOrange County140,054
TorranceLos Angeles County139,576
OrangeOrange County137,941
PasadenaLos Angeles County137,195
Santa ClaraSanta Clara County133,132
ClovisFresno County127,993
Simi ValleyVentura County125,778
Thousand OaksVentura County124,229
ConcordContra Costa County124,016
VallejoSolano County123,475
FairfieldSolano County122,646
BerkeleyAlameda County121,749
AntiochContra Costa County118,453
MenifeeRiverside County117,041
RichmondContra Costa County115,353
CarlsbadSan Diego County113,575
MurrietaRiverside County112,539
TemeculaRiverside County112,431
Santa MariaSanta Barbara County111,346
VenturaVentura County109,831
DowneyLos Angeles County109,368
Costa MesaOrange County109,131
Jurupa ValleyRiverside County108,154
West CovinaLos Angeles County106,920
RialtoSan Bernardino County104,918
El MonteLos Angeles County104,639
VacavilleSolano County103,994
BurbankLos Angeles County103,533
El CajonSan Diego County103,291
San MateoSan Mateo County103,006
ChicoButte County102,911
InglewoodLos Angeles County102,774
HesperiaSan Bernardino County101,836
Daly CitySan Mateo County101,418
TracySan Joaquin County100,136
VistaSan Diego County99,322
NorwalkLos Angeles County98,230
San MarcosSan Diego County96,620
MercedMerced County96,073
MantecaSan Joaquin County94,292
IndioRiverside County94,275
ChinoSan Bernardino County94,010
ReddingShasta County93,502
HemetRiverside County92,912
Mission ViejoOrange County91,601
CarsonLos Angeles County91,358
ComptonLos Angeles County91,129
South GateLos Angeles County90,805
Santa MonicaLos Angeles County90,729
WestminsterOrange County89,537
FolsomSacramento County88,091
Mountain ViewSanta Clara County87,316
Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara County87,291
Lake ForestOrange County87,159
Citrus HeightsSacramento County86,909
San LeandroAlameda County86,571
San RamonContra Costa County85,924
WhittierLos Angeles County85,589
LivermoreAlameda County84,867
Rancho CordovaSacramento County84,113
HawthorneLos Angeles County83,633
PerrisRiverside County83,032
Redwood CitySan Mateo County82,982
Newport BeachOrange County82,970
Buena ParkOrange County82,611
AlhambraLos Angeles County80,279
MilpitasSanta Clara County79,746
UplandSan Bernardino County79,684
TustinOrange County78,863
AlamedaAlameda County78,795
LakewoodLos Angeles County78,494
Chino HillsSan Bernardino County77,418
PittsburgContra Costa County77,131
NapaNapa County76,921
BellflowerLos Angeles County75,716
PleasantonAlameda County75,664
RocklinPlacer County75,129
Apple ValleySan Bernardino County75,029
RedlandsSan Bernardino County74,279
Lake ElsinoreRiverside County73,595
TurlockStanislaus County72,888
TulareTulare County72,601
Walnut CreekContra Costa County70,817
EastvaleRiverside County70,751
DublinAlameda County70,544
CamarilloVentura County69,881
Baldwin ParkLos Angeles County69,247
Yuba CitySutter County69,148
MaderaMadera County69,094
LodiSan Joaquin County68,642
Redondo BeachLos Angeles County68,075
Palo AltoSanta Clara County67,658
DavisYolo County67,125
Yorba LindaOrange County66,489
BrentwoodContra Costa County66,286
Union CityAlameda County66,196
South San FranciscoSan Mateo County64,660
Laguna NiguelOrange County64,185
LynwoodLos Angeles County63,596
PortervilleTulare County63,517
WoodlandYolo County62,983
San ClementeOrange County62,627
Santa CruzSanta Cruz County62,581
La HabraOrange County61,391
EncinitasSan Diego County61,137
La MesaSan Diego County60,767
MontebelloLos Angeles County60,617
HanfordKings County60,594
GilroySanta Clara County60,390
San RafaelMarin County59,961
BeaumontRiverside County59,502
PetalumaSonoma County59,393
Pico RiveraLos Angeles County59,363
SanteeSan Diego County59,104
GardenaLos Angeles County58,921
CupertinoSanta Clara County58,710
National CitySan Diego County58,460
Monterey ParkLos Angeles County57,996
HighlandSan Bernardino County56,499
LincolnPlacer County56,268
Fountain ValleyOrange County56,036
West SacramentoYolo County55,991
San JacintoRiverside County55,515
ArcadiaLos Angeles County54,472
YucaipaSan Bernardino County54,465
ColtonSan Bernardino County53,528
PlacentiaOrange County53,395
DelanoKern County53,198
Palm DesertRiverside County53,147
Cathedral CityRiverside County52,517
NovatoMarin County52,311
Diamond BarLos Angeles County52,292
Huntington ParkLos Angeles County52,166
WatsonvilleSanta Cruz County51,320
ParamountLos Angeles County51,169
Aliso ViejoOrange County50,457
GlendoraLos Angeles County50,101
San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo County49,729
RosemeadLos Angeles County49,582
PowaySan Diego County49,435
CypressOrange County49,286
CeresStanislaus County49,253
CovinaLos Angeles County49,245
Los BanosMerced County48,684
AzusaLos Angeles County48,383
BreaOrange County47,844
OakleyContra Costa County47,158
CerritosLos Angeles County46,851
La MiradaLos Angeles County46,367
Rancho Santa MargaritaOrange County46,353
NewarkAlameda County46,254
Morgan HillSanta Clara County45,952
Palm SpringsRiverside County45,453
CoachellaRiverside County45,165
HollisterSan Benito County45,033
Rohnert ParkSonoma County44,894
El CentroImperial County44,230
LompocSanta Barbara County43,594
DanvilleContra Costa County43,410
CampbellSanta Clara County42,895
San BrunoSan Mateo County42,035
StantonOrange County41,188
LathropSan Joaquin County40,860
Rancho Palos VerdesLos Angeles County40,064
La QuintaRiverside County39,907
Culver CityLos Angeles County39,883
CalexicoImperial County38,744
AdelantoSan Bernardino County37,941
San GabrielLos Angeles County37,926
MonroviaLos Angeles County37,787
WildomarRiverside County37,736
MontclairSan Bernardino County37,650
Bell GardensLos Angeles County37,565
PacificaSan Mateo County37,056
MartinezContra Costa County37,006
La PuenteLos Angeles County36,670
ClaremontLos Angeles County36,139
MoorparkVentura County35,621
San Juan CapistranoOrange County35,469
Temple CityLos Angeles County34,989
West HollywoodLos Angeles County34,371
Pleasant HillContra Costa County34,169
Desert Hot SpringsRiverside County33,917
Manhattan BeachLos Angeles County33,453
San DimasLos Angeles County33,226
Menlo ParkSan Mateo County33,040
Los GatosSanta Clara County32,952
Foster CitySan Mateo County32,657
GoletaSanta Barbara County32,611
Dana PointOrange County32,585
AtwaterMerced County32,248
BellLos Angeles County31,930
BanningRiverside County31,929
Santa PaulaVentura County31,786
Paso RoblesSan Luis Obispo County31,568
San PabloContra Costa County31,562
SeasideMonterey County31,524
Beverly HillsLos Angeles County31,027
BurlingameSan Mateo County30,885
Los AltosSanta Clara County30,864
SaratogaSanta Clara County30,486
Laguna HillsOrange County30,378
La VerneLos Angeles County30,192
LawndaleLos Angeles County30,160
AtascaderoSan Luis Obispo County29,743
Suisun CitySolano County29,614
San CarlosSan Mateo County29,403
East Palo AltoSan Mateo County29,296
MontereyMonterey County29,015
RidgecrestKern County28,373
BrawleyImperial County28,188
Lemon GroveSan Diego County27,867
WascoKern County27,409
WalnutLos Angeles County27,250
BelmontSan Mateo County27,132
LemooreKings County27,057
SangerFresno County26,649
GaltSacramento County26,589
Twentynine PalmsSan Bernardino County26,563
HerculesContra Costa County26,499
BeniciaSolano County26,477
El CerritoContra Costa County26,409
SoledadMonterey County26,345
ReedleyFresno County26,138
WindsorSonoma County25,846
DinubaTulare County25,833
South PasadenaLos Angeles County25,656
RiverbankStanislaus County25,625
Imperial BeachSan Diego County25,568
PattersonStanislaus County25,495
EurekaHumboldt County25,412
NorcoRiverside County25,400
LafayetteContra Costa County25,371
Loma LindaSan Bernardino County25,197
BarstowSan Bernardino County24,897
SelmaFresno County24,505
Seal BeachOrange County24,421
MaywoodLos Angeles County23,838
DuarteLos Angeles County23,493
San FernandoLos Angeles County23,488
MillbraeSan Mateo County23,321
OakdaleStanislaus County23,209
MarinaMonterey County23,047
ShafterKern County22,754
CorcoranKings County22,627
Laguna BeachOrange County22,564
CalabasasLos Angeles County22,256
ImperialImperial County22,102
Yucca ValleySan Bernardino County21,858
American CanyonNapa County21,742
CudahyLos Angeles County21,694
Port HuenemeVentura County21,325
South Lake TahoeEl Dorado County21,225
GreenfieldMonterey County21,042
DixonSolano County20,296
LomitaLos Angeles County19,841
OrovilleButte County19,712
ArvinKern County19,661
La Cañada FlintridgeLos Angeles County19,621
OrindaContra Costa County19,573
AlbanyAlameda County19,439
Agoura HillsLos Angeles County19,429
ChowchillaMadera County19,191
South El MonteLos Angeles County19,121
ArcataHumboldt County18,748
Hermosa BeachLos Angeles County18,687
Santa Fe SpringsLos Angeles County18,683
PinoleContra Costa County18,663
Arroyo GrandeSan Luis Obispo County18,249
CoronadoSan Diego County18,031
Rancho MirageRiverside County18,001
KermanFresno County17,497
BlytheRiverside County17,320
TruckeeNevada County17,240
FillmoreVentura County17,216
Laguna WoodsOrange County17,058
CoalingaFresno County16,722
MoragaContra Costa County16,698
ClearlakeLake County16,636
El SegundoLos Angeles County16,544
RiponSan Joaquin County16,252
UkiahMendocino County16,067
ArtesiaLos Angeles County15,662
La PalmaOrange County15,092
Pacific GroveMonterey County14,851
LivingstonMerced County14,767
ParlierFresno County14,429
McFarlandKern County14,365
Red BluffTehama County14,286
AvenalKings County14,108
Grass ValleyNevada County14,085
King CityMonterey County13,920
EmeryvilleAlameda County13,912
Mill ValleyMarin County13,904
AuburnPlacer County13,780
Hawaiian GardensLos Angeles County13,457
California CityKern County13,174
KingsburgFresno County13,128
Grand TerraceSan Bernardino County12,979
CarpinteriaSanta Barbara County12,876
Solana BeachSan Diego County12,868
LarkspurMarin County12,807
MarysvilleYuba County12,714
LindsayTulare County12,706
Palos Verdes EstatesLos Angeles County12,668
San AnselmoMarin County12,645
MendotaFresno County12,623
Grover BeachSan Luis Obispo County12,534
SusanvilleLassen County12,359
NewmanStanislaus County12,292
FortunaHumboldt County12,114
San MarinoLos Angeles County12,105
CommerceLos Angeles County11,882
Los AlamitosOrange County11,846
Scotts ValleySanta Cruz County11,828
Half Moon BaySan Mateo County11,324
Signal HillLos Angeles County11,279
HealdsburgSonoma County11,231
AndersonShasta County11,171
HillsboroughSan Mateo County11,171
Canyon LakeRiverside County11,161
CalimesaRiverside County11,150
TehachapiKern County11,114
ClaytonContra Costa County10,933
PiedmontAlameda County10,816
Sierra MadreLos Angeles County10,775
PlacervilleEl Dorado County10,695
SonomaSonoma County10,606
Morro BaySan Luis Obispo County10,591
FarmersvilleTulare County10,501
MalibuLos Angeles County10,298
Rio VistaSolano County10,248
Shasta LakeShasta County10,244
ExeterTulare County10,186
Corte MaderaMarin County10,006
Orange CoveFresno County9,708
CapitolaSanta Cruz County9,503
Live OakSutter County9,503
IoneAmador County9,411
WaterfordStanislaus County9,271
ParadiseButte County9,114
TiburonMarin County8,933
CloverdaleSonoma County8,784
GuadalupeSanta Barbara County8,735
OrlandGlenn County8,605
Los Altos HillsSanta Clara County8,435
GonzalesMonterey County8,431
FirebaughFresno County8,424
CorningTehama County8,131
Rolling Hills EstatesLos Angeles County8,007
Pismo BeachSan Luis Obispo County7,984
HughsonStanislaus County7,903
WintersYolo County7,825
WoodlakeTulare County7,774
YrekaSiskiyou County7,686
Westlake VillageLos Angeles County7,593
OjaiVentura County7,563
FairfaxMarin County7,476
FowlerFresno County7,470
EscalonSan Joaquin County7,453
CotatiSonoma County7,403
SebastopolSonoma County7,388
GridleyButte County7,355
Mammoth LakesMono County7,124
Fort BraggMendocino County7,117
SausalitoMarin County7,075
AthertonSan Mateo County7,022
TaftKern County6,988
LoomisPlacer County6,939
HuronFresno County6,737
ColusaColusa County6,589
CalipatriaImperial County6,522
Crescent CityDel Norte County6,209
GustineMerced County6,138
WillowsGlenn County6,079
SolvangSanta Barbara County5,988
Dos PalosMerced County5,759
Villa ParkOrange County5,698
HoltvilleImperial County5,612
WilliamsColusa County5,598
La Habra HeightsLos Angeles County5,382
St. HelenaNapa County5,257
WoodsideSan Mateo County5,123
LakeportLake County5,104
JacksonAmador County5,079
Big Bear LakeSan Bernardino County5,044
BuelltonSanta Barbara County5,023
CalistogaNapa County5,022
Indian WellsRiverside County4,989
SonoraTuolumne County4,855
WillitsMendocino County4,844
NeedlesSan Bernardino County4,839
BrisbaneSan Mateo County4,667
Portola ValleySan Mateo County4,282
WheatlandYuba County4,110
Del MarSan Diego County3,902
BishopInyo County3,746
AngelsCalaveras County3,728
San JoaquinFresno County3,679
Monte SerenoSanta Clara County3,563
YountvilleNapa County3,280
AvalonLos Angeles County3,267
Rio DellHumboldt County3,259
Nevada CityNevada County3,195
Carmel-by-the-SeaMonterey County3,124
Mount ShastaSiskiyou County3,124

Read the full California investigator guide

Neighboring states: Arizona · Nevada · Oregon

How this service works

Investigator Consulting in California

Delator Group is a private investigation firm licensed in Tennessee and headquartered in Nashville. In California, Delator Group is not licensed as a private investigator or private investigative agency and does not perform, supervise or direct investigations. We review requests and refer them to independent investigators who hold the license California requires. Those investigators contract with clients directly, set their own fees and are responsible for the work. Delator Group may receive compensation from participating investigators for referrals.

FAQ

Questions About Finding an Investigator in California

Which California communities have their own page?

Every incorporated California city, town or village with more than 3,000 residents, plus every township or town government of that size, has its own page here, 447 in all. Smaller places are covered by the nearest page and the statewide guide.

Is Delator Group licensed in California?

No. In California, Delator Group provides investigator consulting and referral only. Investigations are performed by independently licensed California investigators who contract with you directly.

Who licenses private investigators in California?

The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, California Department of Consumer Affairs, under Private Investigator Act, California Business and Professions Code Section 7512 and following. Any person or business that offers investigative work for pay must hold a BSIS private investigator license, and the business must run under a qualified manager who has passed the state exam.

How do I check an investigator's California license?

Search the investigator's name, business name or license number in the Department of Consumer Affairs License Search and confirm the license is current with no discipline listed.

Is California a one-party or two-party consent state?

California is generally called a two-party, or all-party, consent state. Under Penal Code Section 632, recording a confidential conversation without the consent of everyone in it is a crime, whether in person or by phone. Conversations in public settings where people could expect to be overheard are treated differently, so an attorney can confirm how the law applies to you.