A private investigator is also referred to as a PI, Private Detective, or Private Eye. This is a person hired to undertake an investigation or seek out information that is otherwise difficult to find. Washington State requires that Private Investigators be trained, licensed, insured, and bonded. Investigators often have a law enforcement and/or a military background.

Law firms, corporations, insurance companies, private parties and entities not involved with the government or police all have reasons to procure the services of a private investigator. The most simplistic answer is that their is a problem identified and information that is needed to make an informed decision. 

When you consider hiring a Private Investigator you want to do your due diligence in verifying their license number to make sure they are a listed company and that their are no complaints. You may check for references and also see if their are any issues noted on the Better Business Bureau website.  Take the time to do your research on the company that you hire and verify that the services they are offering will meet your needs.

In the majority of cases, private investigators will charge an hourly rate or depending on the service require a retainer with an hourly minimum. Hourly rates do vary by service and prices are available upon request or during consultation. 

Once you have determined which investigator or company you would like to work with you can make contact by e-mail, phone, website contact form, or social media. When contacting an investigator, if discretion is important, you should make sure that you are not using an email or a phone number that you share with others. Additionally, if you are emailing or leaving a voice-mail you should give specific instructions as to when you would like your message returned.

• Gather information on individuals

• Gather information on businesses

• Locate sensitive records

• Use specific searches using advanced technology and field resources

• Conduct surveillance

• Interview friends, family, and associates

​

Private Investigators are often times able to access information that is otherwise difficult to find. However, information that is gathered is done in an ethical and lawful way. Here are a few things Private Investigators are not allowed to do:

​

• Operate without a license in Washington State.

• Impersonate law enforcement

• Break the law

• Participate in unethical practices

• Trespass

• Enter your home or place of business without consent

• Tamper with mail

• Film subjects through windows of private residences as this is an invasion of their privacy

• Place GPS trackers on automobiles without consent

• Hack into social media accounts that are set to private

• Run a license plate without reason to do so

• Wiretap phones without two party consent (Wash. Rev. Code Ann. §9.73.030(1)(a)