Your Richmond Private Investigator for Surveillance and Investigations
Bear Witness is the private investigator in Richmond that families, attorneys, and businesses call when they need facts, not guesses. Richmond is a city of about 115,000 people in Contra Costa County. We are a veteran-owned, California-licensed firm (PI #18755), and surveillance is what we do best.
Whether you suspect a cheating spouse, need evidence for a custody or support case, are dealing with a questionable workers’ compensation claim, or represent a client who needs court-ready surveillance, our Richmond investigators plan each case around the subject’s real routine and document it with time-stamped video.
Richmond Surveillance Investigations: Our Specialty
Most investigations come down to one question: what is really happening? A private investigator in Richmond answers it with surveillance video, photos, and a written timeline.
Mobile Surveillance
Experienced drivers who anticipate turns and freeway exits, so your subject is documented from stop to stop.
Static Surveillance
We hold position at the locations that matter to your case and record activity with time-stamped video.
Two-Investigator Teams
For careful or unpredictable subjects, two investigators trade off so the same car is never seen twice.
The average commute in Richmond is about 35 minutes, so work-related surveillance often means following a route, not waiting at one address.
What Our Richmond Private Investigators Handle
Whatever the situation, the work comes down to documenting the facts lawfully and clearly.
Personal Cases
- Runaways & missing persons — finding someone who has left Richmond or stopped answering.
- Nanny & daycare surveillance — observing caregiver conduct and advising on what in-home recording is legal.
- Infidelity & cheating spouse — discreet surveillance that gives you a clear answer, either way.
Family Law Cases
- Child custody — parenting-time compliance, home conditions, and welfare concerns.
- Child support — documenting employment and income the other parent may not be reporting.
- Lifestyle investigations — what someone’s day-to-day life really looks like.
- Child visitation — a factual record of exchanges and visits.
- Cohabitation — proof of a live-in partner when spousal support is at stake.
- Divorce investigations — documentation that supports your attorney’s strategy.
Business Cases
- Workers’ comp fraud — documenting claimant activity across Contra Costa County.
- Employee theft — quietly confirming suspected theft so you can respond with facts.
- Injury claims — verifying the extent of claimed injuries through lawful observation.
- Insurance defense — field work that supports a strong defense.
- Business partner surveillance — answers before you sign or after trust breaks down.
Law Firm Cases
- Surveillance — defensible surveillance your team can rely on at trial.
- Evasive subpoena service — serving witnesses and parties who are avoiding service.
- Witness statements — locating witnesses and taking their statements.
- Court testimony — investigator testimony in California courts when needed.
- Records research — court, property, business, and public records research.
- Evidence gathering — documentation built for the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa.
Why Richmond Clients Choose Bear Witness
Choosing a private investigator in Richmond comes down to experience, discretion, and evidence that holds up.
Direct Access to Your Investigator
We limit our caseload, so you talk to the investigator working your case — not a call center.
Statewide Coverage
From Richmond to the rest of California, we follow subjects wherever the case leads.
Surveillance Specialists
We specialize in surveillance, so your case gets investigators who do this every day.
Honest Results
If nothing is going on, we tell you. A clear answer is the goal, not more billable hours.
Licensed & Veteran-Owned
California PI License #18755, veteran-owned and operated, held to the standards set by BSIS.
Absolute Discretion
Confidential from the first call; covert in the field.
What Our Clients Say
Real reviews from Bear Witness clients across California.
“Of all the private investigators I have used, the Bear Witness Detective Agency has proven to be the only investigation company I can completely rely on and trust. When I need smart surveillance investigators who get the job done right, they are always at the very top of my call list.”
“I first consulted with a few other investigation companies in the area, yet I remained skeptical about their service. But, after I talked over my case with James, I was pleased with the high levels of confidence and experience he conveyed. In the end, I am glad I chose Bear Witness to perform my surveillance investigation. Thanks for the video your company obtained. It was eye-opening.”
“James, thank you for stepping in and helping out our law firm! You came highly recommended to us by a colleague as the go-to-guy for all things surveillance. Good communication skills & excellent work!”
Names and/or locations altered for client privacy. Read more client reviews →
Where Richmond Cases Are Heard
Richmond sits roughly 14 miles from Martinez, the Contra Costa County seat, where the main Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa facilities are located.
Divorce, custody, support, and civil cases involving Richmond residents are generally filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa. We document every case with that courtroom in mind: dated, time-stamped, gathered legally, and backed by testimony if needed.
Nearby Areas We Cover
If your subject lives in Richmond but works or travels elsewhere, that’s routine. Nearby areas include:
Straight-line distances from Richmond.
Working With a Richmond Private Investigator, Step by Step
- 1
Free Consultation
Tell a licensed investigator what you know and what you need confirmed. Completely confidential.
- 2
Plan & Estimate
We build a plan around your subject’s routine in Richmond and give you a written estimate before any work begins.
- 3
Surveillance
Your investigator documents activity with time-stamped video and keeps you updated.
- 4
Report & Evidence
You receive a clear written report, photos, and video — plus testimony if needed.
Richmond Private Investigator FAQs
Do you also cover San Pablo and El Cerrito?
Yes. San Pablo is about 1 mile from Richmond and El Cerrito about 4 miles, and both are part of our regular coverage in Northern California.
How far is Richmond from the Contra Costa County courthouse?
Richmond is roughly 14 miles (straight-line) from Martinez, the Contra Costa County seat, where the main Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa facilities are. Some matters are heard at branch courthouses; your attorney can confirm the location.
What does a private investigator in Richmond do?
We document facts for personal, family law, business, and legal cases — most often through surveillance, along with background research, people location, witness statements, and process serving.
Do you specialize in surveillance?
Yes. Surveillance has been Bear Witness’s specialty since 1996, and it is part of nearly every case we handle in Richmond and across California.
How is a Richmond investigation priced?
Surveillance is billed by time. After a free consultation, you get a written estimate before any billable work begins.
How do I verify your license?
Look up PI License #18755 on the California Department of Consumer Affairs license search.
Do you handle workers’ compensation and insurance claims?
Yes. We conduct claimant surveillance and claim investigations for employers, insurers, and defense counsel.
Can you catch a cheating spouse in Richmond?
We can document what your spouse actually does and who they meet, with time-stamped video and a written report, and give you a clear answer either way.
Can you document cohabitation for a spousal support case?
Yes. Under California Family Code section 4323, a supported spouse living with a partner can create a presumption of decreased need for support. We document cohabitation for you and your attorney.
Every case starts with a free, confidential consultation. Call 1(877)PROOF-24/7 to speak with a licensed investigator about your Richmond case.