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Rhode Island State House dome in Providence against a cloudy sky

Rhode Island · 38 communities

Private Investigators in Rhode Island by City

Choose your community to see which courts hear local cases, how Rhode Island licenses investigators and how to request a match with a vetted, licensed investigator within our network who works that county.

Request a Private Investigator (629) 310-8667

Licensing

How Rhode Island Licenses Private Investigators

Rhode Island licenses private detectives locally rather than through a single state agency. The Private Detective Act, R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-5, defines the local licensing authority as the town council or license board of a town, or the mayor and city council or license bureau of a city. An applicant applies where their principal place of business is located. The Act also covers renewals, bonding, identification cards and penalties for working without a license.

Because there is no statewide lookup, checking a Rhode Island investigator takes a phone call. Ask which city or town issued the license, then contact that municipality's clerk or licensing office to confirm it is active. The license may come from a different town than the one where your case is, which is normal. Section 5-5-16 provides for identification cards, so ask to see one.

Courts

How Rhode Island Courts Are Organized

Rhode Island has no county government, and its courts are run by the state. The Superior Court is the general-jurisdiction trial court for felonies and larger civil cases, and it sits in county courthouses, with Providence and Bristol counties sharing one. The Family Court hears divorce, custody, support and juvenile matters. The District Court handles misdemeanors, smaller civil claims and landlord-tenant cases. Probate matters generally start in the probate court of each city or town.

Communities

Rhode Island Communities With a Private Investigator Page

Every Rhode Island community over 3,000 residents, by population (U.S. Census Bureau, April 1, 2020 estimates base and July 1, 2024 estimates (Vintage 2024)).

CommunityCountyPopulation (2024 est.)
ProvidenceProvidence County194,706
CranstonProvidence County84,448
WarwickKent County83,554
PawtucketProvidence County76,996
East ProvidenceProvidence County47,961
WoonsocketProvidence County44,508
CumberlandProvidence County37,509
CoventryKent County36,081
North ProvidenceProvidence County34,791
South KingstownWashington County32,094
West WarwickKent County31,326
JohnstonProvidence County30,363
North KingstownWashington County27,938
NewportNewport County24,482
LincolnProvidence County23,507
WesterlyWashington County23,288
Central FallsProvidence County23,034
SmithfieldProvidence County22,535
BristolBristol County22,023
PortsmouthNewport County17,391
BarringtonBristol County17,027
BurrillvilleProvidence County16,794
MiddletownNewport County16,610
TivertonNewport County15,938
East GreenwichKent County14,769
NarragansettWashington County14,407
North SmithfieldProvidence County12,899
WarrenBristol County11,095
ScituateProvidence County10,741
GlocesterProvidence County10,512
HopkintonWashington County8,431
RichmondWashington County8,142
CharlestownWashington County8,052
West GreenwichKent County6,720
ExeterWashington County6,568
JamestownNewport County5,494
FosterProvidence County4,608
Little ComptonNewport County3,553

Read the full Rhode Island investigator guide

Neighboring states: Connecticut · Massachusetts

How this service works

Investigator Consulting in Rhode Island

Delator Group is a private investigation firm licensed in Tennessee and headquartered in Nashville. In Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island

Which Rhode Island communities have their own page?

Every incorporated Rhode Island city, town or village with more than 3,000 residents, plus every township or town government of that size, has its own page here, 38 in all. Smaller places are covered by the nearest page and the statewide guide.

Is Delator Group licensed in Rhode Island?

No. In Rhode Island, Delator Group provides investigator consulting and referral only. Investigations are performed by independently licensed Rhode Island investigators who contract with you directly.

Who licenses private investigators in Rhode Island?

The Local licensing authority of the city or town where the detective's principal place of business is located, under Rhode Island Private Detective Act, R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-5. A person in the business of private detective work in Rhode Island needs a license, issued by the city or town where the principal place of business is located.

How do I check an investigator's Rhode Island license?

Ask which city or town issued the license, call that municipality's clerk or licensing office to confirm it is current, and ask to see the identification card.

Is Rhode Island a one-party or two-party consent state?

Rhode Island is generally a one-party consent state. Under R.I. Gen. Laws Section 11-35-21(c)(3), a participant in a conversation, or someone with a participant's prior consent, may generally record it, unless the purpose is criminal, tortious or otherwise injurious. Recording a conversation no participant agreed to is a different matter. An attorney can confirm the details.