Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Private Investigator Services in St. Petersburg, FL
Since 1974, Ex-Cel Investigations has established itself as a trusted provider of comprehensive investigative services. Our agency specializes in locating individuals, conducting accident investigations, performing surveillance, and executing background checks for attorneys, corporations, insurance companies, and private clients. With a 96% success rate in locating individuals, we leverage advanced databases and technology to access civil and criminal records, vehicle registrations, and bankruptcy information. Our team includes certified legal investigators and licensed professionals with decades of experience, including former law enforcement personnel who bring specialized expertise to complex cases.We maintain strict adherence to ethical standards and regulatory compliance, holding Florida License #A 0001037 and affiliations with national investigative associations. Our commitment to integrity and client satisfaction has earned us industry awards and recognition, including the Florida Certified Investigator of the Year award in 2007. We operate with transparency, offering fixed-budget solutions and personalized service through our St. Petersburg, Florida headquarters while providing nationwide coverage through a network of qualified professionals.
Services
Locates
Accident Investigation
Surveillance
Background Checks
Service of Process
Corporate Investigations
Product Liability
Due Diligence
Details
- Year established: 1974
Highlights and features
- 96% success rate in locating individuals since 1974
- Certified Legal Investigator (CLI) designation holders
- Former Florida Highway Patrol Trooper leads complex cases
- 24/7 availability for urgent investigative needs
- Nationwide service through vetted process server network
Associations and certifications
- Florida Department of Agriculture (License #A 0001037)
- National Association of Legal Investigators
- World Association of Detectives
- National Association of Professional Process Servers
Services
Surveillance
Our licensed investigators conduct discreet video surveillance to gather courtroom-admissible evidence. Using covert cameras in public spaces, we document subjects' activities while maintaining legal compliance. Clients receive factual documentation and detailed written reports to support legal decisions or trial presentations.
Background Checks
We perform comprehensive background investigations for pre-employment, pre-nuptial agreements, and business partnerships. Services include criminal record checks, civil litigation history, and verification of personal/professional credentials. All employment-related checks comply with FCRA regulations and Florida statutes.
Accident Investigation
Attorneys rely on our agency to investigate accidents through scene documentation, witness statements, and evidence preservation. We create scaled diagrams, obtain aerial photography, and collect notarized testimonies. Former law enforcement expertise ensures thorough analysis of collision dynamics and liability factors.
Locates
With a 96% success rate, we locate missing persons, heirs, and witnesses using proprietary databases and investigative techniques. Our team successfully traces individuals across international borders and locates beneficiaries in estates, often working remotely to minimize costs for clients.
Service of Process
We provide official service of legal documents in Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough Counties through sheriff-appointed officers. Our process servers deliver summonses, complaints, and court orders with documented proof of service, ensuring compliance with Florida procedural rules.
People
Claude E. Lavaron III
Owner/Investigator
Florida-licensed private investigator since 1974 and Certified Legal Investigator (CLI). Former Florida Highway Patrol Trooper with 45+ years of investigative experience. Recipient of the 2007 Florida Certified Investigator of the Year award.
Brenda
Licensed Investigator
Licensed investigator since 1995 with expertise in asset discovery and witness statement collection. Holds an Associate's degree in Business and specializes in complex surveillance and database research operations.
Judy
Office Manager
Office manager since 1974 responsible for legal process management and accounting. Maintains expertise in service of process law through continuing education seminars and daily operational oversight.
Questions
What services does EX-CEL Investigations offer?
We provide surveillance, background checks, accident investigations, person locates, and legal process service. Our specialties include courtroom-admissible evidence collection and nationwide investigations since 1974.
Are your investigators licensed and certified?
Yes, our team holds Florida Private Investigator licenses and industry certifications including Certified Legal Investigator (CLI) designations from the National Association of Legal Investigators.
Can you conduct investigations outside Florida?
While based in St. Petersburg, we operate nationwide through a network of vetted process servers and investigators. Our Florida license covers local work, while out-of-state investigations use licensed partners.
How successful are your locate services?
Our locate services maintain a 96% success rate using advanced databases and investigative techniques. We've successfully traced individuals internationally and located beneficiaries in complex estate cases.
Do you offer 24/7 emergency services?
Yes, we provide 24/7 availability for urgent investigative needs including time-sensitive evidence collection and emergency surveillance operations.
