Private Investigator and Private Detective: Same License, Same Work
In Georgia, both terms refer to the same licensed profession. The state's governing statute is O.C.G.A. § 43-38. It officially uses "private detective business" as the legal term. Georgia's licensing body is formally named the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies. PDSC, the prefix carried by every Georgia firm's license number (including PDSC001824), stands for Private Detective Security Company. "Private investigator" is the more common term in everyday use. "Private detective" is the language written into Georgia law.
Most people don't confuse these two phrases with each other. They confuse a private detective with a police detective. Those are distinct professions. A police detective is a sworn law enforcement officer. They carry arrest authority and direct access to restricted law enforcement databases. Their jurisdiction covers only criminal matters within their agency's territory. A licensed Georgia private detective operates outside law enforcement entirely. NLA Private Investigator works directly for private clients. Cases include custody disputes, infidelity investigations, litigation support, and background investigations. These fall outside what law enforcement has the authority or resources to pursue. Both gather evidence. Only one can make an arrest.
NLA Private Investigator — Credentials and Investigative Standards
NLA Private Investigator holds GPBO License #PDSC001824 under O.C.G.A. § 43-38 — Georgia's mandatory licensing statute for private investigators. The firm holds active membership in GAPPI (Georgia Association of Professional Private Investigators) and ASIS International. Both memberships are current and verifiable.
Unlike general security contractors or online background check services, NLA Private Investigator gathers evidence through field-conducted investigations. Every piece of evidence is documented under chain of custody from collection through report delivery. That distinction matters when evidence is challenged in family law or civil litigation. An unlicensed source can't testify to chain of custody. A licensed PI can.
All investigation work is conducted or directly supervised by a licensed investigator. Reports are formatted for attorney use and court filing.
Private Investigator Cost in Atlanta, Georgia
NLA Private Investigator charges $100 to $150 per hour. Total case cost varies by service type, investigative duration, and resources deployed. Surveillance cases running multiple days average $800 to $1,200 per day.
A retainer of $1,500 to $2,000 is required before any investigation begins. The retainer is applied against hourly billing. If the investigation concludes before the retainer is exhausted, the unused balance is returned. Additional work beyond the retainer is invoiced at the agreed hourly rate.
Billing structure varies by service. Marital surveillance and missing persons cases are billed hourly with retainer. Background investigations and court record searches carry flat-rate pricing. Digital forensics and TSCM sweeps are quoted per engagement based on scope. No investigation begins without a written scope and cost estimate — there are no billing adjustments after work commences. A full rate breakdown by service type is on the private investigator cost guide.
How Licensed Georgia Private Investigations Work
Every investigation begins with a confidential consultation. NLA Private Investigator confirms case objectives and legal parameters before any work is agreed. Georgia PIs operate within clearly established legal boundaries. Public-space surveillance is lawful under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-62.
One-party consent recordings are permitted. GPS tracking is legal on vehicles the consenting party owns or co-owns. Investigators can't trespass on private property, intercept third-party communications, or access law enforcement databases.
After the consultation, NLA Private Investigator provides a written investigation scope and cost estimate before any work commences. The investigation follows the agreed plan. Evidence is documented through timestamped video, GPS records, activity logs, and photographic documentation. On completion, NLA Private Investigator delivers an evidence report in the format appropriate for attorney use or court filing. Chain of custody is maintained from initial collection through report delivery.
Georgia's GPBO licensing requirement ensures evidence from a licensed PI meets the admissibility standards required in legal proceedings. Evidence from an unlicensed investigator — or gathered through methods that violate Georgia law — is inadmissible. It may also expose the client to counterclaims. GPBO License #PDSC001824 confirms NLA Private Investigator's authorization under O.C.G.A. § 43-38.
Verifying a Georgia Private Investigator License
The Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies issues and regulates PI licenses under O.C.G.A. § 43-38. Every licensed firm holds a unique license number. NLA Private Investigator's is PDSC001824, verifiable through the Georgia Secretary of State's professional licensing database at sos.ga.gov. A search confirms license status, expiration date, and any disciplinary history on record.
Before retaining any PI in Georgia, verify their GPBO license number directly through the Secretary of State database. Operating without a GPBO license is a criminal offense. Evidence gathered by an unlicensed investigator carries significant admissibility risks in Georgia courts. An unlicensed source can't provide the professional testimony that a licensed PI can. More on Georgia's PI licensing statute and client rights is on the Georgia private investigator laws page.
Frequently Asked Questions: Private Investigator Atlanta
How much does a private investigator cost in Atlanta?
NLA Private Investigator charges $100 to $150 per hour, with total case cost varying by service type and investigative duration. Surveillance cases average $800 to $1,200 per day. A $1,500 to $2,000 retainer is required before investigation commences, applied against hourly billing. Background investigations are available at flat-fee rates based on depth and scope. A full breakdown of rates by service type is available in the private investigator cost guide.
What can a private investigator legally do in Georgia?
A licensed Georgia PI can conduct covert surveillance in public spaces, perform background investigations using Georgia public records, and conduct skip tracing and missing persons searches. Licensed PIs may also serve as professional witnesses in legal proceedings. All work operates under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-62, O.C.G.A. § 43-38, and the Georgia Open Records Act. What a PI can't do: trespass on private property, intercept third-party communications without consent, impersonate law enforcement, or access sealed law enforcement databases without a court order. A full overview of Georgia PI legal boundaries is available on the Georgia private investigator laws page.
How do I hire a private investigator in Atlanta?
First, verify the firm's GPBO license through the Georgia Secretary of State database to confirm active licensed status. Then call NLA Private Investigator for a confidential consultation — no case details leave that conversation without your authorization. The investigator assesses the case, identifies applicable investigation methods, and provides a written scope and cost estimate. An investigation agreement and retainer are required before any work begins. NLA Private Investigator accepts new consultations by phone and through the case evaluation form on this page.
Do private investigators actually find evidence?
Licensed PIs use covert surveillance, digital forensics, records research, and field investigation to gather factual evidence. What's recovered depends on case type, the information available at the outset, and the investigative timeline. Surveillance cases yield documentary evidence of activities and associations. Background investigations produce verified records from criminal, civil, and public databases. Digital forensics recovers data from devices where legal access exists. No outcome is guaranteed in advance, but all evidence is documented under professional standards appropriate for legal proceedings.
Atlanta Metro Service Areas
NLA Private Investigator serves clients across the Atlanta metropolitan area and the State of Georgia under GPBO License #PDSC001824. Private
investigation services are available in Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties — including Marietta, Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, Decatur, Roswell, Duluth, and Smyrna. Beyond the metro area, statewide coverage is available for skip tracing, background investigations, and multi-jurisdiction cases.
