How to Become a Licensed Private Investigator in Delaware

Delaware is a tiny but unique state within the United States. If fact, it is actually the second smallest state in the United States.  Delaware’s population is approximately 989,000 which is smaller than many major cities in the United States. 

Suppose you want to become a private investigator in Delaware. If that is the case, you likely won’t have too much competition as the Bureau of Labor and Statistics states there are only 40 licensed private investigators within the state. 

Private Investigator Salary in Delaware

The median salary in Delaware is $44,550 which is $21.42 an hour. This is the 5th lowest average pay for a private investigator in the United States.  According to the Living Wage website, a living wage in Delaware for a couple with 3 children and only one spouse working is $42.60 an hour.

At that median income, a private investigator’s salary is not a living wage. This may be a major consideration for you before pursuing a living in the state alone. Private investigators solely working in this state will find it difficult to be the primary income earner. 

If you are interested in more private investigation salary information, you can read more about that here. 

Do you need qualifications to be a private investigator? (§1316)

Yes, there are minimum qualifications to be a private investigator. The minimum qualification to be a private investigator in the state of Delaware is (working for an investigation company):

• Applicant must be at least 21 years of age.
• The application must have no convictions of a felony or any other crime that would be considered a disqualification.
• The applicant must be employed by a licensed private investigation agency before submitting the application to work as a private investigator. 
• Must not have been convicted of any drug offense.

Private Investigator Employee Application Link

Minimum Qualifications to Own and Operate a Private Investigation Business (§1319)

• Must be 25 years of age.
• Must have at least 5 years of investigation experience, or be a former Police Officer or worked with an investigation agency in the United States.
• Must not have been convicted of any felony.
• Must not have been convicted of any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or theft or any misdemeanor that the Board essentially believes would constitute a disqualification.
• Must not have been convicted of any drug offense
• Must meet and maintain the qualifications set and approved by the Board of Examiners.

The Process to Obtain (or renew) a Private Investigation License (Non-Agency License)

1. )The person applying to become a private investigator must appear in person at one of 2 locations for fingerprint and photograph processing:

State Bureau of Identification located at 600 S. Bay Road, Suite 1, Dover, DE 19901.

Delaware State Police Troop 2 (by appointment only) located at 100 Cpl/1 Stephen J. Ballard Way, Newark, DE 19702.  Call ahead at 302-739-2528.

2.) The Private Investigator Employee Application must be completed.

3.) At the appearance, applicants must provide either a Driver’s License or State Identification and the $85 fee (cash, certified check, Visa, Master Card, Discover, Company Check, or Money Order is accepted for payment). 

4.) If approved to be a private investigator, license identification cards will be mailed to the applicant at the address listed on the application.  

5.) A new or renewed private investigation license is valid for 5 years.

The Process to Obtain a Private Investigation Agency License (Class A)

To open a private investigation agency in the state of Delaware an applicant must meet the criteria listed above and the License Holder must submit the following:

1. Submit 5 letters of reference in reference to the applicant’s good character.
2. Complete the License Holder Application (Person with qualified experience).
3. Submit two fingerprint cards.
4. Submit a passport photo.
5. Submit processing and identification card fee of $85.00.

All Agencies are Required to Submit the Following:

1. Completed Agency Application.
2. Licensing Fees
   1. For Agencies with Employees (in-state $300- out of state $500)
   2. For Agencies with no Employees ($250)
3. License Holder Requirements
4. Agency Bond 
   1. Agency Bond Form – $10,000 Surety Bond – in name of the agency (for agencies with employees)
   2. Agency Bond Form – $5,000 Surety Bond – in the name of the agency (Sole Proprietors with no employees)
5. $1,000,000 in Liability Insurance per Occurrence.  (Have the insurance company list the Certificate Holder as the following: Delaware State Police, Professional Licensing, P.O. Box 430, Dover, DE 19903.
6. Submit any advertising information that will be used in the state of Delaware. Examples of this would be: (Note some of these requirements would be more associated with investigation companies that also work as security companies (Class C Licenses).
   1. Uniforms
   2. Patches
   3. Badges
   4. Seal
   5. Vehicle Markings
   6. Business Cards 
   7. Advertisement
   8. Logos

Submission of Agency Documents

To submit all the aforementioned Agency documents, contact Professional Licensing at 302-739-5991 to make an appointment.

You can also FedEx, UPS, or send them overnight to 600 South Bay Rd, STE 1, Dover, DE 19901.  If using the standard Postal Service use: P.O. Box 430, Dover, DE 19903

Additional Information for Delaware Private Investigators

• A computer forensic specialist is not classified to be within the definition of a private investigator. 
• It is unlawful for a private investigator to carry any type of weapon unless the Board has approved the use of such a weapon. And if it has been approved the person using the weapon must have been trained to use the weapon by a Board approved instructor.

Additional Delaware Links

• Chapter 99 (Formerly Senate Bill No. 55)
• Chapter 285 (Formally Senate Bill No. 373)
• Delaware State Police Site (With P.I. Licensing Information)

Additional Private Investigation Links

How to Start a Private Investigation Business

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Private Investigation Business

How to Build Experience to Become a Private Investigator

How to Pick a Private Investigation Business Name

Private Investigator Website Name Considerations