We have used Martin Investigative Services for three decades. Their work is exemplary; reports are perfect and their testimony is very professional, with great judge and jury appeal. We will not use anyone else for our investigations.

If you think you need a private investigator, then you have a serious personal or business issue that requires expert assistance.
Private investigators find proof and information that protects you, your family or your business.
A professional private investigator is licensed, has extensive experience, abides the law, advises you on your situation (without interest for themselves), and explains what they can and cannot do to help you.
And they should always give you a free consultation.
We have used Martin Investigative Services for three decades. Their work is exemplary; reports are perfect and their testimony is very professional, with great judge and jury appeal. We will not use anyone else for our investigations.
Read more testimonials.
Whether or not you choose Martin Investigative Services, ask the right questions so you can hire a private investigator worth his or her salt.
California is one of the more demanding states with regard to the requirements for private investigators. Currently California requires the following to become a private investigator: A criminal history background check through the California Department of Justice (DOJ), 6,000 hours of field work and the passing of a California administered test.
Martin Investigative Services operates under state license # PI 9077.
A good private investigator in California will have a background in some sort of law enforcement and have many years of professional private investigation experience. Find out.
Martin Investigative Services has over 40 years investigative experience and our private investigators are former supervisory Federal agents.
In the litigious state of California, a good private investigator will know the system and how to work within it.
Investigations should not only yield court-admissible evidence but your investigator should also be able and ready to testify in support of this evidence. Many private investigators do not have this experience or background.
Martin Investigative Services gathers only court-admissible evidence and all investigators are considered experts in a court of law.
A professional private investigator will always have an office. It is especially common in California for private investigators to not have offices, preferring instead to meet at restaurants or communicate by phone or email only. These investigators should be eliminated from consideration as you need to know you’ll be able to locate this person again once you’ve handed over a payment.
Martin Investigative Services has Corporate Offices in Orange County and offers services throughout California, the U.S. and even a few select foreign companies.
When you contact a private investigator, explain the service you would like performed and ask how much it will cost.
A professional private investigator will provide an accurate estimate and will not exceed the quote without your approval.
Your first conversation with any reputable private investigator should always be at no charge.
Martin Investigative Services will always provide you with an estimate upon our first conversation. All consultations remain free and confidential.
Private investigators know that very often your intuition is correct. When you speak for the first time, ask yourself if you feel a good about it. What is your immediate gut reaction?
Make sure the private investigator thoroughly understands your situation and that you feel comfortable. You should feel he/she is looking out for your best interests. Your needs should always come before money.
Martin Investigative Services will always make the effort to understand you specific investigative need, and tell you whether or not we can help, so you can move forward in any event.
Martin Investigative Services (State License # PI 9077) is a licensed private investigation agency. Whether you choose us or another firm, always make sure your firm is licensed and legitimate.
The private investigators of Martin Investigative Services are former Federal agents that are experts at providing you proof that is admissible as evidence in a court of law.
We have extensive experience in investigative law and reporting techniques, background investigations, surveillance, interrogation, fraud investigation and litigation issues, and information searches.
Ongoing partnerships with local law enforcement, legal representation and industry professionals enable us to provide a full range of support in your time of need.
If you are experiencing trouble in your business, with a spouse or partner, with a family member, with an employee or you feel you’re in danger for any reason, simply give us a call. You can speak with a seasoned private investigator on a one-on-one basis.
We’ll meet with you at the location of your choice and your services will be kept in our confidence only. Contact us today for a private consultation.
We provide quality investigative services with an unmatched success rate. We provide you with confidence and peace of mind.
Our network is composed of private investigators that are former DEA, FBI, IRS, and Secret Service agents.
Our friendly staff can help with your issue, or point you in the right direction. The consult is free and confidential.
Our experienced investigators provide court-admissible evidence that can make all the difference in a trial.
See more of the benefits we offer you.
The president of a major software company in San Diego was referred to us by another private investigator.
The client had been accused of rape by his stepdaughter and had been convicted in a court of law.
The client came to us and emphatically refused the charge. In a case like this, we are as skeptical as anyone else but he just kept insisting, “I didn’t do it.”
Our private investigators reviewed trial transcripts in detail after which we interviewed and interrogated trial witnesses.
We then found and interviewed new witnesses until we found a smoking gun which not only cleared our client of all wrongdoing but proved that the mother and stepdaughter conspired to accuse our client of rape in an effort to obtain all the assets in the pending divorce case.
The guilty verdict was overturned, the accusations were proven false and our client was set free.
Thomas G. Martin appeared on KAAL-TV ABC6 News on May 11, 2016 to discuss the role of social media in law enforcement.
DetailsIn these recession times, people do bad things. They steal time, product or money from their employers who then call us to fret out the bad guys. Most security experts agree that about 80% of employees are currently stealing something.
DetailsOne of Mr. Martin’s Valentine’s Day clients is a doctor whose wife, also a doctor, aroused his suspicions when she told him she would be changing her regular daytime shift on Tuesday and instead working until 8 p.m. Like virtually all private detectives, Mr. Martin won’t reveal his client’s names.
DetailsWhile organized retail crime has become a growing trend that vexes businesses, what appears to be an old-fashioned five-finger discount recently plagued the mother of all jewelry retailers, Tiffany & Co.
DetailsSee all press items.
We have used Martin Investigative Services for three decades. Their work is exemplary; reports are perfect and their testimony is very professional, with great judge and jury appeal. We will not use anyone else for our investigations.
Tom Martin is thorough, knowledgeable and trustworthy. We have used Tom and his team to great success and will continue to do so.
I’ve represented individuals and businesses (international and local) for close to fifty years, and I’ve called on Martin Investigative Services more times than I can count, often on a rush basis, for help throughout the world, on a number of different types of assignments. I’ve never been disappointed. I’ve always received swift, cost-effective and USEFUL information, which has wound up “saving the bacon” of our clients and making us shine in their eyes. I recommend them without any reservation.
I am proud to state that I have exclusively used the professional services of Tom Martin and his firm for more than 20 years. Whenever the need arises for a private investigator, the only name that I consider for my clients is Tom. In my 40 year career as a family lawyer, I recognized the importance of professional investigators. Unfortunately, many of the investigators that I have encountered have not satisfied the professional standard that I expect. I have utilized the firm in some very delicate and discrete investigations and situations requiring a strong security presence. In every engagement, both my clients and myself have been completely satisfied. I have I have no reservations in endorsing Tom and his firm for any investigative assignments.
It has been my pleasure to work with Martin Investigative Services over the past 30 plus years on many investigations as well as other security related matters. When I need answers and I need them fast I know that a simple call will get me answers that are succinct, current and coming from a supremely knowledgeable source.
My partner and I have utilized the services of Martin Investigative Services for in excess of 15 years. The services provided have ranged from simple background checks to covert surveillance and investigations into corporate malfeasance/conversion/theft of assets.
I have found Martin’s investigators conscientious, qualified, and most important of all, very credible to triers of fact when their testimony was necessary. Critical to any busy trial attorney is time. I have also found that upon turning an assignment over to Martin Investigative Services, I do not have to micromanage the assignment. It is done promptly and efficiently, with an eye toward the financial resources and capabilities of the client.
Successful people know that to be the best, you model the best. I cannot recommend Martin PI any higher! In a five minute conversation with experienced people you can save thousands by bypassing sales types. They do this by cutting directly to the heart based on years and years of passionate pursuit of best practices and adding massive value to their clients. They are an invaluable part of my team and Tom is my most valued mentor!
Martin Investigative Services has performed background checks, private investigation, surveillance and bug sweeps for our clients. They have also served difficult process in lawsuits. They have performed unquestionably and unfailingly to perfection. We will always call Martin first – and hope he hasn’t been called yet by the other side!
I have known Tom Martin and used his services for many years. I trust him with the most challenging investigative tasks.
Professional and efficient, he and his staff leave no stone unturned to get the job done.
I have worked with Martin Investigative Services for our company investigations for close to 20 years. Tom and the team are always professional, skilled and get right to the heart of any assignment I have for them. I would highly recommend Martin Investigative Services for any workplace investigation.
I have used Thomas Martin’s services for many years and have found his work to be of the highest standards. He gets the job done quickly, efficiently and reliably. He is aware of the law and always submits quality reports. I highly recommend Martin Investigative Services to any attorney, business or individual who is in need of a professional investigator.
Martin Investigative Services is truly one of the best run organizations we have worked with. Fair, efficient and professional. Tom Martin in particular exudes confidence and experience and isn’t afraid to tell it like it is. That’s something we can rely on.
Read more testimonials.
Martin Investigative Services, Corporate Office
620 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1400
Newport Beach, CA 92660
By appointment only.