Charleston SC's Most Trusted Private Investigators
SLED-Licensed • 125+ Years Combined Experience • 24/7 Available
How Much Does a Private Investigator Cost in Charleston SC?
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Get exact quotes during your free consultation.
Surveillance Operations
Professional surveillance with 4-hour minimum. Includes travel time, detailed reporting, and photographic evidence. Perfect for infidelity investigations and insurance claims.
Background Checks
Comprehensive background investigations including criminal history, financial records, and employment verification. 24-72 hour turnaround time.
Asset Searches
Locate hidden assets, bank accounts, and property holdings. Essential for divorce proceedings and legal disputes. Includes detailed financial reporting.
Additional Services:
- Process Serving: $75-$200 per service
- Digital Forensics: $200-$500 per device
- Child Custody Investigations: $800-$2,000 average
- Retainer Required: $500-$2,500 depending on case complexity
What License Requirements Do Charleston Private Investigators Need?
Verify your PI's credentials with these essential requirements
🏛️ SLED Licensing Requirements
- ✓ South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) license
- ✓ $10,000 surety bond posted
- ✓ 3+ years law enforcement OR PI agency experience
- ✓ Clean criminal background check
- ✓ U.S. citizenship required
- ✓ 12 hours continuing education every 2 years
🔍 How to Verify PI License
Request License Number
Ask for their SLED license number upfront
Check SLED Database
Verify on sled.sc.gov official website
Confirm Insurance
Ensure $1M+ liability beyond bond requirement
Stillinger Investigations Credentials
SLED License #1586 | $1M Professional Liability Insurance | 125+ Years Combined Experience
How Long Do Private Investigations Take in Charleston SC?
Realistic timelines based on 125+ years of Charleston investigation experience
Background Checks: 24-72 Hours
Standard background investigations including criminal history, employment verification, and financial records. Rush service available for urgent cases.
Asset Searches: 3-7 Business Days
Comprehensive asset investigations including property records, bank accounts, and hidden holdings. Complex cases may require additional time.
Surveillance Cases: 1-4 Weeks
Duration depends on subject's patterns and case objectives. Most surveillance operations yield results within 2 weeks of consistent monitoring.
Infidelity Investigations: 2-6 Weeks
Average timeframe for adultery investigations. We document patterns to provide conclusive evidence for legal proceedings.
Child Custody Cases: 2-8 Weeks
Child custody investigations require thorough documentation of parental behavior and environment assessment.
Missing Person Cases: Variable
Timeline ranges from days to months depending on available information and cooperation from family members.
Charleston-Specific Factors Affecting Timelines:
- • Tourist seasons (March-October) can extend surveillance operations
- • Bridge traffic patterns affect optimal surveillance timing
- • Festival schedules may impact subject behavior patterns
What Services Do Charleston Private Investigators Provide?
Comprehensive investigative services tailored to Charleston's unique environment
🔍 Infidelity Investigations
Discreet surveillance and evidence gathering for suspected adultery. We provide court-admissible documentation for divorce proceedings. Learn more about our adultery investigation process.
👨👩👧👦 Child Custody Support
Document parental fitness and environmental safety for child custody cases. We work with family court attorneys throughout Charleston County.
🏢 Corporate Investigations
Employee misconduct, workers compensation fraud, and intellectual property theft. Specialized expertise in Charleston's tourism and port industries.
📱 Digital Forensics
Digital forensics services including computer and mobile device examination. Recover deleted files, messages, and digital evidence.
🏠 Asset Searches
Locate hidden assets, property holdings, and financial accounts. Essential for divorce proceedings and legal disputes in Charleston family courts.
📋 Background Investigations
Comprehensive background checks for employment, relationships, and business partnerships. Pre-marital investigations available.
Charleston-Specific Expertise
Historic District Investigations
Special permits and techniques for surveillance in Charleston's historic areas. Understanding of local regulations and property restrictions.
Tourism Industry Cases
Hospitality industry investigations, seasonal worker background checks, and tourism-related fraud cases specific to Charleston's economy.
How to Choose the Right Private Investigator in Charleston SC
Essential criteria for selecting a qualified Charleston private investigator
✅ What to Look For
SLED License Verification
Confirm current South Carolina licensing and bond status
Local Charleston Experience
5+ years in Charleston market with court system knowledge
Specialization Match
Choose investigators experienced in your specific case type
Professional Insurance
$1M+ liability coverage beyond bond requirement
🚫 Red Flags to Avoid
- ❌ No physical Charleston office address
- ❌ Refuses to provide SLED license number
- ❌ Guarantees specific investigation results
- ❌ Requests full payment upfront
- ❌ Suggests illegal surveillance methods
- ❌ No professional references available
- ❌ Pricing significantly below market rates
Why Choose Stillinger Investigations?
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about Charleston private investigation services
Consider hiring a PI for divorce proceedings requiring evidence, child custody disputes, suspected employee theft, workers compensation fraud, missing person cases, background verification for important decisions, or when you need professional evidence collection for legal matters.
Charleston investigations require expertise in historic district regulations, understanding of tourism patterns affecting surveillance timing, knowledge of bridge schedules impacting subject movement, and familiarity with local court systems across Charleston County, Berkeley County, and Dorchester County.
Request their SLED license number and verify it on the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division website. Ensure they carry professional liability insurance beyond the required $10,000 bond. Check for local references and confirm they have a physical Charleston office address.
PIs can legally conduct surveillance in public spaces, perform database searches of public records, take photographs and videos where legally permissible, interview willing witnesses, and examine digital devices with proper authorization. All evidence must be collected within legal boundaries to be admissible in Charleston courts.
Infidelity investigations in Charleston typically range from $800-$2,000 total cost, depending on case complexity and duration. This includes surveillance hours, reporting, photographic evidence, and detailed documentation suitable for family court proceedings in Charleston County.
What Makes Charleston Private Investigations Unique?
Local expertise that makes the difference in case outcomes
🏛️ Charleston-Specific Challenges
- Historic District Restrictions: Special permits required for certain surveillance activities
- Bridge Traffic Patterns: Cooper River and Ashley River bridges affect timing and routes
- Tourist Season Variables: March-October population fluctuations impact investigations
- Multi-Jurisdictional Cases: Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester County coordination
- Military Presence: Joint Base Charleston security considerations
- Festival Schedules: Spoleto, Wine & Food Festival affect subject patterns
🎯 Our Charleston Market Advantages
- Established Court Relationships: 25+ years with Charleston County Family Court
- Local Law Enforcement Connections: Professional relationships with CCSO and CPD
- Community Knowledge: Understanding of neighborhood patterns and demographics
- Seasonal Business Cycles: Expertise in tourism industry investigations
- Historic Property Access: Knowledge of property restrictions and access points
- Port of Charleston Expertise: Maritime industry background investigations
Areas We Serve in the Charleston Region
Charleston County
Downtown Charleston, French Quarter, South of Broad, King Street District, Medical District, MUSC Campus
Mount Pleasant
Old Village, I'On, Daniel Island, Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms, Dewees Island
North Charleston
Park Circle, Boeing Area, Naval Base, Tanger Outlets, University Boulevard
Lowcountry
Summerville, Goose Creek, Folly Beach, James Island, Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island
How Do Charleston Private Investigators Gather Evidence?
Legal, court-admissible evidence collection methods
🎥 Video Surveillance
Professional surveillance in public spaces using high-definition equipment. Time-stamped footage admissible in Charleston County courts. No trespassing or privacy violations.
📷 Photography Documentation
Court-approved photographic evidence with proper timestamps and location data. Professional documentation suitable for legal proceedings.
🗃️ Database Searches
Legal public record research including property records, court filings, business registrations, and professional licensing verification through authorized databases.
🎤 Witness Interviews
Professional interviews with willing witnesses. Recorded statements when legally permissible. Expert interview techniques for maximum information gathering.
💻 Digital Analysis
Digital forensics examination of computers and mobile devices with proper legal authorization. Recovery of deleted files and communications.
📍 GPS Tracking
GPS tracking devices installed only on client-owned vehicles with proper legal authorization. Real-time location monitoring for surveillance operations.
Court-Admissible Standards
All evidence collected follows South Carolina legal requirements, federal privacy laws, and Charleston County court standards. Our investigators are trained in proper evidence handling and chain of custody procedures.
Get Your Free Consultation Today
Don't let uncertainty control your life. Get the answers you need with Charleston's most trusted private investigators.
🏢 Charleston Office
170 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29401
In the heart of downtown Charleston
Other Stillinger Investigation Locations
Professional Credentials
SLED License #1586 | $1M Professional Liability Insurance | 125+ Years Combined Experience
Licensed & Insured | Court-Approved Evidence | Confidential Service
Related Investigation Services
Adultery Investigations
Discreet infidelity investigations with court-admissible evidence for divorce proceedings in Charleston County Family Court.
Child Custody Cases
Document parental fitness and environmental safety for child custody disputes. Work with family law attorneys throughout the Lowcountry.
Digital Forensics
Computer and mobile device examination. Recover deleted files, messages, and digital evidence for legal proceedings.
Background Checks
Comprehensive background investigations for employment, personal relationships, and business partnerships in Charleston.
Criminal Defense
Investigation support for criminal defense attorneys. Evidence gathering and witness location for Charleston area cases.
Counter Surveillance
Bug sweeps and counter-surveillance services. Detect hidden surveillance equipment in homes and offices using OSCOR technology.
