Licensing
How Maryland Licenses Private Investigators
Maryland regulates investigators under the Maryland Private Detectives Act, Title 13 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article. The program is run by the Professional Licensing Unit of the Maryland Department of State Police Licensing Division. An agency license is required for anyone who provides private detective services for pay, keeps an office for that business or holds itself out as a detective agency. Individuals who do the work need a private detective certificate.
Maryland does not appear to offer an online lookup for private detectives. The State Police publish a list of licensed security guard and private detective agencies, and the Professional Licensing Unit can confirm a license or certificate by phone. Ask for the agency license number and the individual's certificate before you sign, and make sure the agency name matches the contract.
Courts
How Maryland Courts Are Organized
Maryland's general-jurisdiction trial courts are the circuit courts, with one in each of the 23 counties and one in Baltimore City. They hear felonies, larger civil cases, divorce, custody and other family matters. The District Court of Maryland is a statewide court with locations in every county and Baltimore City, handling smaller civil claims, landlord-tenant cases, traffic and most misdemeanors. Orphans' Courts handle many estate matters, and in Harford and Montgomery counties circuit court judges sit as the Orphans' Court.
Communities
Maryland Communities With a Private Investigator Page
Every Maryland 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.) |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | Baltimore City | 568,271 |
| Frederick | Frederick County | 89,537 |
| Gaithersburg | Montgomery County | 70,686 |
| Rockville | Montgomery County | 68,417 |
| Bowie | Prince George's County | 58,421 |
| Hagerstown | Washington County | 43,909 |
| Annapolis | Anne Arundel County | 40,689 |
| College Park | Prince George's County | 34,667 |
| Salisbury | Wicomico County | 33,616 |
| Laurel | Prince George's County | 30,238 |
| Greenbelt | Prince George's County | 24,843 |
| Hyattsville | Prince George's County | 21,052 |
| Westminster | Carroll County | 20,662 |
| Cumberland | Allegany County | 18,643 |
| Aberdeen | Harford County | 18,451 |
| Takoma Park | Montgomery County | 17,856 |
| Easton | Talbot County | 17,381 |
| Elkton | Cecil County | 15,977 |
| Havre de Grace | Harford County | 15,222 |
| New Carrollton | Prince George's County | 13,645 |
| Cambridge | Dorchester County | 13,262 |
| La Plata | Charles County | 11,374 |
| Bel Air | Harford County | 10,395 |
| Mount Airy | Carroll County / Frederick County | 9,914 |
| Bladensburg | Prince George's County | 9,635 |
| Brunswick | Frederick County | 9,015 |
| Taneytown | Carroll County | 8,293 |
| Mount Rainier | Prince George's County | 8,269 |
| Riverdale Park | Prince George's County | 7,296 |
| Frostburg | Allegany County | 6,972 |
| Ocean City | Worcester County | 6,884 |
| Walkersville | Frederick County | 6,535 |
| Chesapeake Beach | Calvert County | 6,504 |
| Glenarden | Prince George's County | 6,394 |
| Thurmont | Frederick County | 6,308 |
| Hampstead | Carroll County | 6,288 |
| Cheverly | Prince George's County | 6,125 |
| Fruitland | Wicomico County | 5,973 |
| District Heights | Prince George's County | 5,916 |
| Poolesville | Montgomery County | 5,856 |
| Chestertown | Kent County | 5,702 |
| Manchester | Carroll County | 5,440 |
| Berlin | Worcester County | 5,349 |
| Middletown | Frederick County | 5,055 |
| Denton | Caroline County | 5,049 |
| Leonardtown | St. Mary's County | 5,041 |
| Centreville | Queen Anne's County | 4,771 |
| Delmar | Wicomico County | 4,748 |
| Sykesville | Carroll County | 4,622 |
| Seat Pleasant | Prince George's County | 4,518 |
| Perryville | Cecil County | 4,510 |
| Pocomoke City | Worcester County | 4,426 |
| Indian Head | Charles County | 4,247 |
| North East | Cecil County | 4,191 |
| Capitol Heights | Prince George's County | 4,038 |
| Boonsboro | Washington County | 3,850 |
| Brentwood | Prince George's County | 3,795 |
| Princess Anne | Somerset County | 3,667 |
| Berwyn Heights | Prince George's County | 3,325 |
| Smithsburg | Washington County | 3,194 |
Read the full Maryland investigator guide
Neighboring states: Delaware · District of Columbia · Pennsylvania · Virginia · West Virginia
How this service works
Investigator Consulting in Maryland
Delator Group is a private investigation firm licensed in Tennessee and headquartered in Nashville. In Maryland, 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 Maryland 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 Maryland
Which Maryland communities have their own page?
Every incorporated Maryland city, town or village with more than 3,000 residents, plus every township or town government of that size, has its own page here, 60 in all. Smaller places are covered by the nearest page and the statewide guide.
Is Delator Group licensed in Maryland?
No. In Maryland, Delator Group provides investigator consulting and referral only. Investigations are performed by independently licensed Maryland investigators who contract with you directly.
Who licenses private investigators in Maryland?
The Maryland Department of State Police, Licensing Division, Professional Licensing Unit, under Maryland Private Detectives Act, Business Occupations and Professions Article, Title 13. A business that provides private detective services needs a private detective agency license, and individuals who provide those services need a private detective certificate.
How do I check an investigator's Maryland license?
Ask for the agency license number and the investigator's certificate, then confirm both with the State Police Professional Licensing Unit at 410-653-4500.
Is Maryland a one-party or two-party consent state?
Maryland is an all-party, often called two-party, consent state. Under Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article Section 10-402(c)(3), a participant may record a private conversation only when all parties have given prior consent. Secret recording can be a felony. An attorney can explain how the rule applies to your situation, including calls that cross state lines.