THE PROCESS

What to Expect When You Hire a Private Investigator

Most people have never hired a PI before. Here's exactly how the process works at Cipher Sleuths — from your first inquiry to final evidence delivery.

Confidential Inquiry

Everything starts with a confidential inquiry — no names required at this stage. Tell us what you're dealing with and what you need to know. We'll respond within 24 hours to discuss whether we can help and what an investigation would involve.

Your inquiry is protected. We never share client information with third parties, and initial consultations carry no obligation.

Case Consultation

We'll schedule a brief consultation — by phone or secure message — to understand the full scope of your situation. We'll ask targeted questions, explain what's legally possible in Virginia, and give you an honest assessment of what an investigation can realistically uncover.

We operate under Virginia Private Investigator License #11-30421 and will only pursue evidence through legal means. We'll tell you upfront what we can and cannot do.

Retainer & Case Agreement

If you decide to move forward, we'll formalize the engagement with a written case agreement and a $1,200 retainer. This retainer is applied toward your total case hours at $120/hr. You'll know exactly what you're paying for before we begin.

We bill transparently. You'll receive itemized updates on hours used, and we'll notify you before your retainer is exhausted so you can decide how to proceed.

Active Investigation

Once retained, we begin the investigation. Depending on your case type, this may involve surveillance, open-source intelligence gathering, digital footprint analysis, public records research, or field work across Virginia.

You won't be left in the dark. We provide regular status updates throughout the investigation and flag anything significant as it develops.

Evidence Delivery

When the investigation is complete, we deliver a comprehensive evidence package — organized, documented, and formatted for your intended use. Whether you need it for personal peace of mind, an attorney, or court proceedings, the package is built to hold up.

All evidence is collected through legal means and documented in a way that supports admissibility in Virginia courts.

Case Debrief

We walk you through the findings, answer your questions, and help you understand what the evidence means and what your options are. We don't just hand you a file — we make sure you know what to do with it.

We can also coordinate directly with your attorney if legal proceedings are involved.

Common Questions

Ready to Take the First Step?

Start with a confidential inquiry. No obligation, no pressure — just honest answers about what we can do for you.

Start Confidential Inquiry