San Mateo Private Investigator Services, Built Around Surveillance
Bear Witness is the private investigator in San Mateo that families, attorneys, and businesses call when they need facts, not guesses. San Mateo is a city of about 104,000 people in San Mateo 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 San Mateo investigators plan each case around the subject’s real routine and document it with time-stamped video.
Surveillance Specialists Serving San Mateo
As a San Mateo private investigator, surveillance is the core of what we do. We document activity legally, discreetly, and in a way that holds up in court.
Mobile Surveillance
Experienced drivers who anticipate turns and freeway exits, so your subject is documented from stop to stop.
Static Surveillance
Discreet observation of a home, workplace, or business from a lawful public vantage point, documenting who comes and goes.
Two-Investigator Teams
For careful or unpredictable subjects, two investigators trade off so the same car is never seen twice.
At roughly 8,500 people per square mile, San Mateo is dense — tight parking, slow traffic, and subjects who often move on foot. Our investigators plan for that.
Cases Our San Mateo Private Investigators Take On
Whatever the situation, the work comes down to documenting the facts lawfully and clearly.
Personal Cases
- Nanny & daycare surveillance — observing caregiver conduct and advising on what in-home recording is legal.
- Runaways & missing persons — people-location work to find someone who has gone missing or run away.
- Infidelity & cheating spouse — discreet surveillance that gives you a clear answer, either way.
Family Law Cases
- Child custody — facts that help a court decide what is best for your child.
- Lifestyle investigations — what someone’s day-to-day life really looks like.
- Cohabitation — documenting cohabitation that can affect spousal support under Family Code 4323.
- Child visitation — documenting visitation exchanges and compliance with the court order.
- Divorce investigations — facts and evidence your family law attorney can use.
- Child support — documenting employment and income the other parent may not be reporting.
Business Cases
- Workers’ comp fraud — documenting claimant activity across San Mateo County.
- Business partner surveillance — verifying what a partner or associate is really doing.
- Employee theft — documenting internal theft and misconduct before you act.
- Insurance defense — field work that supports a strong defense.
- Injury claims — showing what a claimant can really do.
Law Firm Cases
- Surveillance — defensible surveillance your team can rely on at trial.
- Evidence gathering — facts collected to evidentiary standards.
- Evasive subpoena service — serving witnesses and parties who are avoiding service.
- Records research — the records behind the story.
- Witness statements — finding and interviewing the people who saw what happened.
- Court testimony — investigator testimony in California courts when needed.
Why San Mateo Clients Choose Bear Witness
Choosing a private investigator in San Mateo comes down to experience, discretion, and evidence that holds up.
Surveillance Specialists
Surveillance has been our focus since 1996. It is not a side service — it is what we do best.
Direct Access to Your Investigator
We limit our caseload, so you talk to the investigator working your case — not a call center.
Court-Ready Evidence
Evidence gathered lawfully and documented the way California judges and attorneys expect.
Licensed & Veteran-Owned
California PI License #18755, veteran-owned and operated, held to the standards set by BSIS.
Honest Results
If nothing is going on, we tell you. A clear answer is the goal, not more billable hours.
Available 24/7
Cases don’t keep business hours. We take calls and work surveillance day, night, and weekends.
What Our Clients Say
Real reviews from Bear Witness clients across California.
“I hired your detective agency to do a surveillance investigation in Orange County for a personal issue. I found your company to be professional & very helpful. Thank you for the updates, insight, and information you provided. You guys did a good job and I will recommend your private investigator company to others.”
“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 →
San Mateo Cases and the San Mateo County Courts
San Mateo sits roughly 6 miles from Redwood City, the San Mateo County seat, where the main Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo facilities are located.
Divorce, custody, support, and civil cases involving San Mateo residents are generally filed in the Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo. We document every case with that courtroom in mind: dated, time-stamped, gathered legally, and backed by testimony if needed.
Nearby Areas We Cover
Cases rarely stay inside one city limit. From San Mateo, we regularly work:
Straight-line distances from San Mateo.
How Hiring a Private Investigator in San Mateo Works
- 1
Call Us
A short, private conversation about your situation, with no obligation.
- 2
Strategy
We decide when and where surveillance in and around San Mateo is most likely to answer your question.
- 3
Fieldwork
One investigator handles your case from start to finish.
- 4
Results
Documented findings in plain language — including a clear “nothing found” when that is the truth.
Questions About Hiring a Private Investigator in San Mateo
Do you also cover Hillsborough and Foster City?
Yes. Hillsborough is about 3 miles from San Mateo and Foster City about 3 miles, and both are part of our regular coverage in Northern California.
How far is San Mateo from the San Mateo County courthouse?
San Mateo is roughly 6 miles (straight-line) from Redwood City, the San Mateo County seat, where the main Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo facilities are. Some matters are heard at branch courthouses; your attorney can confirm the location.
What does a private investigator in San Mateo 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 San Mateo and across California.
Do you handle workers’ compensation and insurance claims?
Yes. We conduct claimant surveillance and claim investigations for employers, insurers, and defense counsel.
Can you serve someone who is avoiding service?
Yes. We locate the person first, then time service attempts around when they are actually there, and document service for the court.
How do I verify your license?
Look up PI License #18755 on the California Department of Consumer Affairs license search.
How quickly can a San Mateo case start?
Most cases begin within a day or two of your first call, once we agree on a plan.
Can you help find a runaway or missing person?
Yes. We use people-location and investigative techniques to find family members and others who have left or lost touch.
Every case starts with a free, confidential consultation. Call 1(877)PROOF-24/7 to speak with a licensed investigator about your San Mateo case.