Requirements to be a private or professional investigator vary from state to state.  In Michigan, for example,  before you can pursue a career as a private detective you must:

• Be a United States citizen
• Be at least 25 years old
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Have no felony convictions
• Have no misdemeanor convictions involving the following:
  • Dishonesty or fraud
  • Unauthorized selling or divulging information or evidence
  • Impersonating a law enforcement official
  • Impersonating a law enforcement official
  • Illegally using or possessing a dangerous weapon
  • Controlled substances
  • Assault
• Have no more than 2 misdemeanor alcohol-related offenses
• Have no dishonorable discharge from the United States military

Additionally you must meet minimum experience or education Requirements in Michigan
To become a licensed private detective in Michigan, you must have at least 3 years of full-time experience in one of the following:

• Engaging in a legal professional investigation business as an investigator, licensee or registrant
• Conducting a professional investigation agency
• Working in investigative or intelligence activities, which may include the following profession
  • Investigator
  • Detective
  • Special agent
  • Intelligence specialist
  • Probation officer
  • Parole agent
  • Certified police officer
  • Working as an investigative reporter employed by a media outlet
  • Engaging in the investigation business as a full-time proprietary or in-house investigator employed by a business or an attorney or
  • Engaging in a legal professional investigation business as an investigator, licensee or registrant

• You may also meet the minimum requirements for licensure through the completion of a bachelor’s degree program or higher in one of the following areas:
  • Police administration
  • Security management
  • Investigation
  • Law
  • Criminal justice
  • Computer forensics

Once  you have successfully met the minimum requirements for licensure either through education or experience, you can apply using the Application for Professional Investigator License Holder.  Along with a completed application, you must submit the following:

• Two passport-sized photographs
• Completed Employment Verification forms or an official transcript if you are qualifying through a degree (included in application packet)
• A Professional Investigator Surety Bond or Insurance Amendatory Endorsement form that covers all 3 years of the license period
• A copy of your Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization (Available through the Bureau of Commercial Services at 517-241-6470)
• A copy of your Certificate of Co-Partnership from the county clerk where your business is located
• An Assumed Name Certificate or DBA if you are using a name that is different from your name or your corporation or organization name (Available from the Bureau of Commercial Services, Corporate Division, at 517-241-6470) and
• Five (5) notarized Personal Reference forms from individuals who can attest to knowing you for at least 5 years (included in application packet).

If you are currently a law enforcement officer, you may not be licensed in the State of Michigan as a private detective unless you produce one of the following to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs:

• Written permission to act as a private investigator from your employer
• A copy of your jurisdiction’s published policies and procedures that includes verbiage of officers being allowed to seek off-duty employment as a private investigator or
• A copy of the collective bargaining agreement from your jurisdiction

As of 2019 the licensing fees for private investigators in Michigan are as follows:

• Individual License $750
• Partnership License $750
• Corporation License $750

Limited Liability Company License $750

The application for a Professional Investigator license or license renewal is available at https://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/lpi010_471671_7.pdf.

The completed application and related documentation should be sent to:

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Licensing Division
Professional Investigator
Post Office Box 30018
Lansing, Michigan 48909

The type and extent of assistance a private investigation firm can provide is virtually endless, surveillance of any type of cheaters or criminals normally comes to mind.  However, private investigators are often called on to locate people, re-investigate auto accidents or criminal cases, complete background and employment checks and serve process papers.  Jane Doe Investigations® list of services is particularly endless because our staff is former law enforcement and military so our experience lends itself to a very diverse investigative application. At JDI we combine cutting edge technology with extensive experience to discover the facts and uncover the truth.

JDI has completed over 6,600 cases since the creation of the company in 2014.

Jane Doe Investigations is specifically licensed in the states of Michigan and North Carolina but also provides private investigation services in states with reciprocal agreements for private investigations and those states which do not require state licensure for private investigations which include:  Alaska, Idaho, Mississippi, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Every investigation is unique and special to JDI.  We begin by listening to your story and learning everything we can about your circumstances, then develop a game plan and put the plan into action.  Investigations often include data mining, media and social media searches, record checks, covert surveillance, interviews and evidence collection.  All JDI investigations are conducted within legal and ethical boundaries, the client is provided regular updates of case progress, and at the conclusion of each investigation the client is provided with a detailed, court ready report, and high definition video where applicable.   JDI investigators have experience in court testimony and are prepared to testify in court as to the activity they have witnessed and information they have discovered.

No.  All Jane Doe Investigations are confidential and any information discovered will only be divuldged to the client.  JDI strictly follows all   applicable rules and laws in the state the investigation is being conducted.

There is no grey for Jane Doe Investigations® in collecting information.  JDI is a firm of former law enforcement and military personnel with high moral and ethical standards. We will not compromise when investigating a case or when working with a client, so you know you will be treated honestly, ethically and fairly.

The amount of communication is client driven and JDI clients can receive updates as often as they desire.  Some clients select direct access to their electronic case file to view updates, others want to be updated only when there is activity or new information on a case, and still others don’t want to hear from us until the case is completed.  At JDI we pride ourselves on customer satisfaction and determining the best method of communication is part of that process.

Starting a case with Jane Doe Investigations® is easy.  You can contact us by phone at 800-621-7445, email us at info@janedoeinvestigations or complete the short form at the bottom of this page to speak with one of our investigators, get a free consultation or get your case started right away.