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Washington · 144 communities

Private Investigators in Washington by City

Choose your community to see which courts hear local cases, how Washington 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 Washington Licenses Private Investigators

Washington licenses investigators through the Department of Licensing under Chapter 18.165 RCW. Under RCW 18.165.150, it is a gross misdemeanor to perform private investigator work without a license, or to own or operate a private investigator agency without an agency license. Armed investigators need a separate armed license. RCW 18.165.020 lists exemptions, such as attorneys doing legal work, insurance adjusters and people who only research public records.

For a client, Washington has two layers to check. The individual needs a private investigator license, and the agency that employs them needs its own agency license. An agency owner who puts an employee to work without a permanent license commits a gross misdemeanor. Both licenses can be searched in the Department of Licensing's license lookup, and the names should match the contract.

Courts

How Washington Courts Are Organized

Washington's general trial courts are the superior courts, which sit in every county. Some smaller counties share judges, so the 39 counties are grouped into 32 superior court judicial districts. Superior court hears felonies, larger civil cases, real property disputes, probate and domestic matters such as divorce and custody, and juvenile cases. District courts and municipal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction for misdemeanors, infractions, small claims and smaller civil cases.

Communities

Washington Communities With a Private Investigator Page

Every Washington 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.)
SeattleKing County780,995
SpokaneSpokane County230,609
TacomaPierce County228,202
VancouverClark County198,992
BellevueKing County154,377
KentKing County136,588
EverettSnohomish County113,011
Spokane ValleySpokane County108,267
RentonKing County105,543
Federal WayKing County100,252
YakimaYakima County97,390
BellinghamWhatcom County95,860
KirklandKing County95,499
KennewickBenton County86,728
AuburnKing County / Pierce County85,513
RedmondKing County82,195
PascoFranklin County81,724
MarysvilleSnohomish County76,209
SammamishKing County66,474
ShorelineKing County66,251
RichlandBenton County64,372
LakewoodPierce County62,709
LaceyThurston County58,644
OlympiaThurston County56,271
BurienKing County52,046
BothellKing County / Snohomish County51,770
BremertonKitsap County45,291
EdmondsSnohomish County42,871
PuyallupPierce County42,552
LynnwoodSnohomish County41,597
Lake StevensSnohomish County41,350
IssaquahKing County39,664
LongviewCowlitz County38,294
WenatcheeChelan County35,401
Mount VernonSkagit County35,344
University PlacePierce County35,160
SeaTacKing County34,024
Walla WallaWalla Walla County33,901
PullmanWhitman County33,543
Des MoinesKing County33,207
Maple ValleyKing County28,553
TumwaterThurston County27,826
CamasClark County27,313
Moses LakeGrant County26,969
Mercer IslandKing County25,302
Mountlake TerraceSnohomish County25,198
Bainbridge IslandKitsap County24,618
KenmoreKing County24,166
Oak HarborIsland County24,163
Battle GroundClark County22,959
Bonney LakePierce County22,145
ArlingtonSnohomish County21,959
TukwilaKing County21,636
CovingtonKing County21,567
MukilteoSnohomish County21,299
EllensburgKittitas County20,996
Mill CreekSnohomish County20,993
Port AngelesClallam County20,112
MonroeSnohomish County19,927
Port OrchardKitsap County19,122
CentraliaLewis County19,061
West RichlandBenton County18,820
AnacortesSkagit County18,148
WashougalClark County17,944
AberdeenGrays Harbor County17,044
LyndenWhatcom County16,783
FerndaleWhatcom County16,706
SunnysideYakima County16,317
RidgefieldClark County15,359
East WenatcheeDouglas County14,330
WoodinvilleKing County13,942
SnoqualmieKing County13,748
EdgewoodPierce County13,496
Liberty LakeSpokane County13,353
Lake Forest ParkKing County13,276
Sedro-WoolleySkagit County13,215
EnumclawKing County / Pierce County13,173
NewcastleKing County13,072
KelsoCowlitz County12,737
CheneySpokane County12,700
Gig HarborPierce County12,643
PoulsboKitsap County12,562
Airway HeightsSpokane County11,950
YelmThurston County11,715
GrandviewYakima County11,599
FifePierce County11,077
BurlingtonSkagit County10,945
SumnerPierce County10,885
SheltonMason County10,737
Port TownsendJefferson County10,649
SnohomishSnohomish County10,534
College PlaceWalla Walla County9,846
DuPontPierce County9,823
DuvallKing County9,176
OthelloAdams County9,001
StanwoodSnohomish County8,943
OrtingPierce County8,911
MiltonPierce County / King County8,833
HoquiamGrays Harbor County8,771
EphrataGrant County8,718
ToppenishYakima County8,658
SelahYakima County8,653
North BendKing County8,553
QuincyGrant County8,294
SequimClallam County8,199
Ocean ShoresGrays Harbor County7,731
ChehalisLewis County7,717
ClarkstonAsotin County7,138
PacificKing County / Pierce County7,085
SultanSnohomish County7,002
FircrestPierce County6,988
Black DiamondKing County6,787
Normandy ParkKing County6,661
SteilacoomPierce County6,649
BrierSnohomish County6,603
Union GapYakima County6,582
ProsserBenton County6,540
WoodlandCowlitz County / Clark County6,496
BlaineWhatcom County6,371
BuckleyPierce County5,641
Deer ParkSpokane County5,191
OmakOkanogan County5,167
ConnellFranklin County5,071
ColvilleStevens County5,009
Medical LakeSpokane County5,003
MoxeeYakima County4,791
Granite FallsSnohomish County4,702
WapatoYakima County4,492
ChelanChelan County4,462
La CenterClark County4,256
MontesanoGrays Harbor County4,194
Benton CityBenton County3,876
GrangerYakima County3,789
MattawaGrant County3,784
GoldendaleKlickitat County3,525
ElmaGrays Harbor County3,515
ForksClallam County3,433
CashmereChelan County3,333
AlgonaKing County3,269
RaymondPacific County3,228
EversonWhatcom County3,169
Clyde HillKing County3,158
KalamaCowlitz County3,131
ZillahYakima County3,123

Read the full Washington investigator guide

Neighboring states: Idaho · Oregon

How this service works

Investigator Consulting in Washington

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

Which Washington communities have their own page?

Every incorporated Washington city, town or village with more than 3,000 residents, plus every township or town government of that size, has its own page here, 144 in all. Smaller places are covered by the nearest page and the statewide guide.

Is Delator Group licensed in Washington?

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

Who licenses private investigators in Washington?

The Washington State Department of Licensing, Private Investigators program, under Chapter 18.165 RCW. Each person doing private investigator work needs an individual license and must work for a licensed private investigator agency, which needs its own license, unless an RCW 18.165.020 exemption applies.

How do I check an investigator's Washington license?

Use the Department of Licensing's business and professional license lookup to search the investigator and the agency and confirm both are active.

Is Washington a one-party or two-party consent state?

Washington is an all-party consent state. RCW 9.73.030 generally requires the consent of every participant before a private conversation or communication is recorded. A few narrow exceptions exist, such as threats of bodily harm. Recordings made without proper consent can create legal exposure, so an attorney should review the plan first.