Licensing
How Delaware Licenses Private Investigators
Delaware regulates investigators under the Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies Act, 24 Del. C. Chapter 13. The program is run by the Delaware State Police Professional Licensing Section, with a board of examiners overseeing it. No one may act as a private investigator or run an investigative agency in Delaware without a license or identification card issued under that chapter.
The system has two layers. An investigative business needs an agency license, and each individual investigator must work for a licensed agency and carry a license or identification card. Applicants are fingerprinted and go through state and federal criminal history checks before anything is issued, so both layers are worth checking before you sign.
Courts
How Delaware Courts Are Organized
Delaware's trial courts are statewide courts that sit in each of its three counties. Superior Court hears felonies and larger civil cases, Family Court handles divorce, custody, support and juvenile matters, and the Court of Common Pleas takes misdemeanors and smaller civil claims. The Court of Chancery hears business, trust and estate disputes, and the Justice of the Peace Court handles many traffic, landlord-tenant and minor criminal cases at locations around the state.
Communities
Delaware Communities With a Private Investigator Page
Every Delaware community over 3,000 residents, by population (U.S. Census Bureau, April 1, 2020 estimates base and July 1, 2024 estimates (Vintage 2024)).
| Community | County | Population (2024 est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | New Castle County | 73,176 |
| Dover | Kent County | 40,191 |
| Newark | New Castle County | 30,506 |
| Middletown | New Castle County | 25,686 |
| Milford | Sussex County / Kent County | 14,079 |
| Smyrna | Kent County / New Castle County | 13,326 |
| Seaford | Sussex County | 8,952 |
| Georgetown | Sussex County | 8,098 |
| Millsboro | Sussex County | 7,864 |
| Elsmere | New Castle County | 6,234 |
| New Castle | New Castle County | 5,715 |
| Clayton | Kent County / New Castle County | 4,511 |
| Laurel | Sussex County | 4,395 |
| Camden | Kent County | 4,191 |
| Harrington | Kent County | 3,934 |
| Milton | Sussex County | 3,773 |
| Lewes | Sussex County | 3,702 |
| Selbyville | Sussex County | 3,285 |
| Ocean View | Sussex County | 3,023 |
Read the full Delaware investigator guide
Neighboring states: Maryland · New Jersey · Pennsylvania
How this service works
Investigator Consulting in Delaware
Delator Group is a private investigation firm licensed in Tennessee and headquartered in Nashville. In Delaware, Delator Group is not licensed as a private investigator or private investigative agency and does not perform, supervise or direct investigations. We review requests and refer them to independent investigators who hold the license Delaware requires. Those investigators contract with clients directly, set their own fees and are responsible for the work. Delator Group may receive compensation from participating investigators for referrals.
FAQ
Questions About Finding an Investigator in Delaware
Which Delaware communities have their own page?
Every incorporated Delaware city, town or village with more than 3,000 residents, plus every township or town government of that size, has its own page here, 19 in all. Smaller places are covered by the nearest page and the statewide guide.
Is Delator Group licensed in Delaware?
No. In Delaware, Delator Group provides investigator consulting and referral only. Investigations are performed by independently licensed Delaware investigators who contract with you directly.
Who licenses private investigators in Delaware?
The Delaware State Police, Professional Licensing Section, under Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies Act, 24 Del. C. Chapter 13. Private investigative agencies need an agency license, and each individual investigator needs a license or identification card and must be employed by a licensed agency.
How do I check an investigator's Delaware license?
Ask for the investigator's Delaware identification card and the agency's license number, then confirm both with the Professional Licensing Section.
Is Delaware a one-party or two-party consent state?
It is not entirely settled. 11 Del. C. Section 2402(c)(4) permits recording with one party's consent, while Section 1335(a)(4) refers to the consent of all parties for certain private messages. The safest course is to get everyone's consent, and an attorney can tell you what applies to your situation.