Mooney & Boland · PA
Private Detective in Scranton, Pennsylvania
Lawful, discreet investigations in Scranton, Pennsylvania, arranged through Mooney & Boland's network of licensed independent private detectives.
About Scranton
Private detective services in Scranton.
Scranton is in eastern Pennsylvania, in Lackawanna County. It is an incorporated city with about 76,033 residents (ACS 2020-2024) on 25.3 square miles of land. The Census Bureau counts it as a principal city of the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metropolitan statistical area.
Scranton anchors its region. People come here for work, government business and the courts, and the requests a private detective receives reflect that variety. The largest employment sector among residents is education, health care and social assistance (about 27% of working residents).
When you contact Mooney & Boland about a matter in Scranton, we listen first, explain what can lawfully be done in Pennsylvania, and set out scope and cost before any work begins.
Scranton at a glance
- Population
- 76,033 (ACS 2020-2024)
- Type of place
- An incorporated city
- County
- Lackawanna County
- Land area
- 25.3 sq mi · 3,004 people per sq mi
- Statistical area
- Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA (principal city)
- Major routes
- Interstate 81, Interstate 84, Interstate 476
- Median age
- 37.2
- Median household income
- $50,700
- Owner-occupied homes
- 50%
- Average commute
- 19 minutes
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2020-2024), 2025 Gazetteer, OMB/Census CBSA delineations (2023), TIGER/Line roads. View the Census profile.
Investigations in Scranton
What can be arranged in Scranton.
A selection based on Scranton's setting. All 75 services are available; browse every service.
Surveillance Investigations
Dense blocks, transit and limited parking shape how surveillance is staffed in Scranton.
Skip Tracing
People who relocate often move along Interstate 81 and the routes connecting Scranton to neighboring states.
Infidelity Investigations
Discreet, lawful documentation for relationship concerns.
Background Investigations
Verifying who someone is before you trust them.
Child Custody Investigations
Objective documentation focused on a child's wellbeing.
People Searches
Finding relatives, witnesses and lost contacts.
Local considerations
Investigative considerations in Scranton.
Dense neighborhoods and multi-unit buildings
Scranton has about 3,004 residents per square mile. Apartment buildings with several exits, limited parking and foot and transit traffic all make observation harder to sustain with one person. Staffing is decided up front, when scope and cost are agreed.
Interstate access and travel
Interstate 81, Interstate 84 and Interstate 476 run through or near Scranton. Good highway access connects Scranton to the wider region, which affects both following a vehicle lawfully and tracing someone who has moved away.
Surrounding area
Communities around Scranton.
Main routes: Interstate 81, Interstate 84 and Interstate 476.
Investigations are not limited by municipal lines. A matter that begins in Scranton can continue into neighboring communities as part of the same engagement.
Hiring in Pennsylvania
Hiring a private detective in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania licenses private detectives at the county level: licenses are issued through the court of common pleas (clerk of courts) in the county where the business is located, under the Private Detective Act of 1953.
Pennsylvania generally requires the consent of all parties to record a conversation. Deeds and property records for Scranton are recorded with the county recorder of deeds.
Questions
Private detective questions in Scranton.
How inquiries are coordinated
Private detectives in our network can assist with qualifying inquiries in Scranton. Each investigation is conducted by an independent private detective who holds the licensing required for the jurisdiction where the work takes place, where licensing is required.
How can I arrange a private detective in Scranton, PA?
Start with a confidential call to 629-310-8667 or an email describing what you need to know and why. We'll discuss what's possible and lawful in Pennsylvania, agree on scope and cost in writing, and coordinate the work with an independent private detective licensed for the jurisdiction where it takes place.
What licensing applies to private detectives working in Scranton?
Pennsylvania licenses private detectives at the county level: licenses are issued through the court of common pleas (clerk of courts) in the county where the business is located, under the Private Detective Act of 1953.
What should I know before hiring a private detective in Lackawanna County?
Most records that matter in Lackawanna County are kept at the county level: court files with the clerk, and deeds with the county recorder of deeds. A good detective searches those originals rather than relying on online summaries, and confirms identity so records aren't attributed to the wrong person.
Can an investigation in Scranton extend to Taylor or Dunmore?
Yes. People rarely stay inside municipal lines. Work that starts in Scranton can continue in nearby communities such as Taylor, Dunmore, Moosic, planned as one engagement and carried out by detectives licensed for each place the work goes.
Can a private detective find someone who left Scranton on Interstate 81?
Often. Locate work combines records research with field verification, wherever the trail leads. Moves along Interstate 81 and connecting highways are common, and investigations are coordinated across state lines with appropriately licensed detectives.
Can I record a phone call in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania generally requires the consent of all parties to record a conversation. Recording a conversation you're not part of is generally illegal. This is general information, not legal advice.
How much does a private detective cost in Scranton?
Cost depends on the type of work and how much field time it needs. Records research is often a flat fee; surveillance is usually billed hourly plus expenses such as mileage. You'll get a written estimate before work begins. See what a private detective costs.
More locations
More private detective pages near Scranton.
Every community page covers local geography, relevant investigations and state rules. Search all 14,263 cities and towns.
More in Lackawanna County
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro
Confidential inquiry
Looking for a private detective in Scranton?
Call, email or send a short confidential inquiry. You'll get a straight answer about what's possible, what's lawful and what it would involve.