New York One-Party

Licensing & Regulation

New York licenses PIs through the Department of State, Division of Licensing Services, under New York General Business Law Article 7 (§70 et seq.). Applicants must be 25+, U.S. citizens or legal residents, demonstrate three years of investigative experience (or 20 years of law-enforcement service), pass a written examination, submit fingerprints, and post a $10,000 surety bond. The NY exam is rigorous and the experience verification is detailed.

Physical Surveillance

Public surveillance is permitted. New York has strong common-law privacy doctrine and the famous Roberson v. Rochester Folding Box Co. lineage. GPS tracking on a non-owned vehicle is constrained by NY Penal Law §120.45-50 (stalking).

Audio & Video Recording Consent

New York is a one-party-consent state under NY Penal Law §250.00 and CPLR Article 45. The recording party must be a participant. Hidden video in private areas is criminalized under NY Penal Law §250.45 (unlawful surveillance).

Domestic, Marital & Infidelity Investigations

New York allows fault-based divorce; adultery is a ground (though procedurally difficult to use). Equitable distribution applies. PIs do extensive matrimonial work. Accessing a spouse's accounts violates NY Penal Law §156 (offenses involving computers).

Cybersecurity, Hacking & Digital Investigations

NY Penal Law §156 (computer crimes) parallels the CFAA. NY has the SHIELD Act for data security. OSINT is permitted; pretexting is barred. NY's data-broker rules are evolving.

Missing Persons, Skip Tracing & Harassment

NY State Police coordinate missing-persons cases. DPPA fully applies. NY Penal Law §120.45-50 (stalking) is broad and includes electronic stalking.