Georgia One-Party

Licensing & Regulation

Georgia licenses PIs through the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies under O.C.G.A. §43-38-1 et seq. Applicants must be 18+, demonstrate two years of investigative experience or equivalent training, pass a written examination, submit fingerprints, and post a $25,000 surety bond for agency licenses. Attorneys, in-house adjusters, and bail-bondsmen acting in their primary scope are exempt.

Physical Surveillance

Surveillance in public is permitted. Georgia's GPS tracking statute (O.C.G.A. §16-11-62.2) criminalizes attaching a tracking device to another person's property without consent, with exceptions for owners and law enforcement. Drone use is governed by FAA rules and O.C.G.A. §3-3-100 (which addresses some drone limitations near schools and government property).

Audio & Video Recording Consent

Georgia is a one-party-consent state for telephone and in-person communications under O.C.G.A. §16-11-62. Video recording in private places without consent is a felony under O.C.G.A. §16-11-62(2). Visual surveillance in a public place is permissible.

Domestic, Marital & Infidelity Investigations

Georgia allows fault-based divorce; adultery is a recognized ground and bars alimony to the at-fault spouse. PIs are widely retained in matrimonial matters. Equitable distribution applies. Accessing a spouse's accounts without authorization violates O.C.G.A. §16-9-93 (computer crimes).

Cybersecurity, Hacking & Digital Investigations

The Georgia Computer Systems Protection Act (O.C.G.A. §16-9-90 et seq.) is broad. The CFAA applies. Pretexting financial information is prohibited under GLBA. OSINT is permitted; investigators should preserve screenshots with hash values for evidentiary integrity.

Missing Persons, Skip Tracing & Harassment

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation operates the missing-persons clearinghouse. DPPA fully applies. O.C.G.A. §16-5-90 (stalking) and §16-5-90.1 (aggravated stalking) cover repeated surveillance that places the victim in reasonable fear.