Washington state investigations
When it comes to investigations like missing persons and background checks, private investigators in Washington will interview people to get as much information as they possibly can about someone. Our local detectives assist attorneys, businesses, and individuals with legal, personal and financial issues. They also offer many investigative services like celebrity protection; verification of pre-employment; and background checks. A private investigator can even investigate computer crimes, identity theft, harassing e-mails, and the downloading of illegal or copyrighted materials.
Our detectives often aid in personal injury and civil liability cases, child custody, insurance claims and fraud, child protection cases, missing persons cases, and premarital screening. They are also often hired to find out if a spouse is cheating. Washington investigators are trained for hands on surveillances for staking out an individuals home, or a suspicious vehicle or location.
These stake-outs often involve:
- Video cameras
- Binoculars
- Cell phones
- Camera
- Gathering evidence
- Lasting for a long period of time
Different types of private investigators in Washington
Private investigators are sometimes hired to search computer databases or to work with someone who does. Computers are often used to gather large amounts of information on a person quickly, before arrests, convictions, and civil legal judgments. There are different forms of investigators from legal, corporate, financial, and detectives.
Washington detectives usually work in local stores and hotels, apprehending thieves and vandals, and are responsible for loss prevention. They also conduct periodic inspections through out the store. Sometimes they even have to testify in court against those they apprehend. Financial detectives are hired to get financial profiles on certain individuals or companies, involving accountants who work closely with investment bankers, and who are prospective parties to big financial transactions.
Legal investigators are involved in court cases, normally hired by law firms or lawyers. They help prepare criminal defenses, finding witnesses, serving legal documents, interviewing, and gathering information and evidence. Corporate investigators do internal and external investigations for corporations. During internal investigations, they try to find employees who are using drugs or stealing merchandise. In external cases, uncovering schemed originating outside of the company like theft of the company’s assets through billing frauds of product suppliers.
Areas of Washington that we specialize in
Our licensed investigators work through the entire state of Washington. Most of our agents work in Seattle area, and we regularly handle investigations in Bellevue and Redmond. Although our offices are not open to the public (except by appointment), we cover the entire state and can accept investigations in the entire Seattle Puget Sound metropolitan area.
- ICS field detectives work covertly ensuring complete confidentiality, unless testimony is required.
We can offer investigative services throughout the following areas from a licensed Washington private investigator:
What to do next
Our
private investigators are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to discuss your case. We can be reached online for a
free consultation. You can also call our local Washington office (206) 515-2000 or
(800) 828-9198 - Toll Free 24hrs.
Washington
Washington has four types of licenses: a Private investigator agency license, an unarmed private investigator license, an armed private investigator license, and a certified trainer license.
Reference Website:
http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/pi/Contact Information:Website:
http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/pi/Email:
security@dol.wa.gov Private Investigator Licensing Department of Licensing, PO Box 9048, Olympia, Washington, United States, 98507-9048
Phone: (360) 664-6611
Fax: (360) 570-7888
Associations:PNAI - Pacific Northwest Association of Investigators Citation Statute: RCW 18.165, WAC 308-17, RCW 18.235
Website:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.165Qualifications Requirement: Private Investigator Agency
All agency owners, partners, or qualifying agents must be:
At least 18 years old if applying unarmed.
At least 21 years old if applying armed.
A United States citizen or resident alien.
You must have:
No criminal convictions that directly relate to your capacity to perform the duties of a private investigator and/or hinders public safety. Read more about criminal conviction information.
A physical location of the business within Washington.
A valid business license with the Department of Licensing.
How to apply
You must submit:
A completed Private Investigator Agency/Principal License Master Business
Application Supplement.
The non-refundable application fee.
One completed fingerprint card.
Proof of three years investigative experience performed before applying for the license; an examination will be scheduled within three weeks of receipt of a paid application if no experience is provided.
A certificate of liability insurance with minimum coverage of $25,000 bodily injury and $25,000 property damage OR a $10,000 Private Investigative Agency Surety Bond.
If a corporation, a copy of articles of incorporation and a list of officers and departments and their addresses.
Unarmed Private Investigator Requirements
All individual unarmed private investigators must be:
At least 18 years old.
A United States citizen or resident alien.
Employed by or have an employment offer from a licensed private investigator company.
You must:
Have no criminal convictions that directly relate to your capacity to perform the duties of a private investigator and/or hinders public safety.
Complete the pre-assignment training requirements.
How to apply
You must submit:
A completed Private Investigator License Application.
The non-refundable application fee.
One completed fingerprint card.
Armed Private Investigator Requirements
All individual armed private investigators must be:
Licensed as an unarmed private investigator or agency principal.
At least 21 years old.
You must have a current firearms certificate issued by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. You can find a list of firearms instructors on their website.
How to apply
You must submit:
A completed Private Investigator License Application.
The non-refundable application fee.
One completed fingerprint card.
A copy of your current concealed pistol license.
If you are an alien resident, proof of your alien firearm license.
Certified Trainer Requirements
All private investigator certified trainers must:
Be licensed as a private investigator agency principal, unarmed private investigator, or armed private investigator.
Have 3 years compensated investigative experience.
Pass an examination given by the Department of Licensing.
How to apply
You must submit:
A completed Private Investigator Certified Trainer Exam or Re-exam Application.
The non-refundable examination fee.
Examinations are scheduled within 3 weeks of receipt of a paid application at the location you choose on the application.
Reciprocity: The state of Washington does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states,
Testing: An exam is required for licensure in the state of Washington. Exam information is available at the following website:
http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/pi/piexam.html
Fees: Application fees
Private Investigator Agency with unarmed principal
$600
Private Investigator Agency with armed principal
$700
Unarmed Private Investigator
$200
Armed Private Investigator (in addition to Unarmed Private Investigator fee)
$100
Transfer
$25
Certified Trainer Examination
$25
Renewal Information:
Private Investigator Agency
$350
Late Fee: Master license service late renewal fee
Unarmed Private Investigator $175
Late Fee: $200
Armed Private Investigator $175
Late Fee: $200
Certified Trainer $15
Late Fee: N/A
Forms: http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/pi/piforms.html
Washington State requires licensing for Private Investigators, Security Guards and Agencies.
State Licensing Authority: Washington State Department of Licensing
Website:
http://www.dol.wa.gov/Email:
security@dol.wa.govPhone: (360) 664-1440
Licensed private investigators have reciprocity and can conduct investigations in Washigton and Oregon.