Individuals
Private Investigator to Locate a Person in France
Locating Someone Legally
Finding a person can apply to a wide variety of situations: reconnecting with a loved one you’ve lost touch with, locating a debtor who is evading their obligations, finding a missing friend or relative, or identifying a person as part of legal proceedings. In every case, the goal is the same: to obtain a reliable location without violating the law or infringing on privacy.
Haphazard internet searches rarely yield results and can lead you down the wrong path. A licensed private investigator, on the other hand, combines methodical research of open sources, cross-checking, and on-the-ground verification to arrive at actionable results—for example, to initiate debt collection, assert a legal right, or simply reestablish contact.
Depending on your needs, the location search can include additional information: current address, location, and creditworthiness. We also tell you, in all honesty, what is achievable and within what timeframe, rather than promising the impossible.
What Our Survey Covers
- Searching open sources and cross-checking available information;
- Authorized administrative checks and neighborhood inquiries;
- On-site verification of the address and actual presence;
- If applicable, information regarding the person’s circumstances or creditworthiness;
- A dated and documented report that can be used to meet your specific objectives.
Each finding is documented and, when appropriate, presented in a format that can be used in court. Digital investigations often complement fieldwork: see our OSINT investigation.
How is the investigation proceeding?
It all starts with a confidential, free, and no-obligation consultation to clarify your objective and the information you already have, followed by a clear quote. Our investigators then conduct open-source and field research throughout France. You’ll receive a documented summary, accompanied by an actionable report if necessary. The scope of the investigation is adjusted in consultation with you based on the initial findings.
Why Choose the Aquila Group
The Aquila Group is a private detective agency accredited by the CNAPS. Your investigations are conducted by our own investigators, and we operate throughout France—with particularly high demand in the Paris region—thanks to our network of twenty offices across five regions.
Our work is guided by professionalism, discretion, and respect for privacy. When the search targets a debtor, it is often part of a broader credit investigation. To discuss your needs with us, please contact our teams : the initial consultation is free and non-binding.
Open Sources and Fieldwork: A Combined Approach
Locating a person rarely involves just one technique. Our strength lies in combining two approaches: the systematic use of open-source information, which allows us to gather and cross-reference available data, and on-the-ground verification, which confirms an address and actual presence. It is this two-pronged approach that turns a lead into a reliable location.
This method avoids the two common pitfalls: settling for information gleaned online—which is often outdated—or heading out into the field without a solid lead. By combining the two, we gain both reliability and speed, and we know how to recognize when a piece of information needs to be confirmed before being accepted.
A location that can be used for your specific purpose
The format of our report is tailored to your specific objective. If the goal is to reestablish contact, a confirmed address is often sufficient. If the subject is a debtor, we can supplement the report with creditworthiness information. And when the location information is needed for legal proceedings, we present it in a documented and actionable format.
We’re honest about what’s achievable: depending on the initial information, some investigations yield results quickly, others take more time, and a few run into legal barriers that we don’t cross. We tell you this clearly, rather than promising the impossible.
This transparency, combined with our approach and our commitment to privacy, is what builds the trust of those who entrust us with a research project.
Research in France and around the world
A person we’re looking for isn’t always where we expect them to be, and some leads take us beyond our borders. Thanks to our network, we can expand our searches internationally when the facts warrant it, without compromising the integrity of the investigation or the quality of our fact-checking.
We tailor our approach to each case: a long-lost relative, a debtor trying to go into hiding, or a person who needs to be identified in legal proceedings all require different approaches. This flexibility, combined with a rigorous methodology, is what enables us to succeed where haphazard searches fail.
Before undertaking any search, we verify the legitimacy of your request: locating a person cannot serve a purpose that is contrary to the law or jeopardize that person’s safety. This preliminary verification is not a mere formality; it is an ethical requirement from which we never deviate. It protects both the person being sought and you, by ensuring that the results of the investigation will be used for lawful purposes. Once this has been established, we dedicate our full expertise to achieving your goal, with a commitment to do our utmost and complete transparency regarding our progress. This way, you know at all times where the search stands and what you can reasonably expect from it.
no obligation
Request your free quote
People Search, Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, provided that the firm is accredited by the CNAPS and that the investigations respect privacy and comply with the law. We use only lawful methods.
Yes. We locate the debtor and can assess their creditworthiness, allowing you to pursue debt collection on a solid foundation.
No. We verify the legitimacy of the request and disclose the information in accordance with the legal framework and privacy regulations.
It depends on the initial details. We’ll provide you with a timeline and a quote after our initial consultation, which is free and non-binding.
Yes, throughout France thanks to our network of offices, and beyond that through our international network when the search requires it.
Browse all our investigative services for individuals
Be sure to check out our types ofsurveys for businesses as well.