Telephone: 202-638-5000

Email: inquiry@dinolt.com

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Do the private investigators at Dinolt Becnel & Wells Investigative Group LLC accept cases that involve domestic surveillance?

A. Generally, we do not accept domestic cases unless certain requirements are met that establish that there is a legally sound reason for our involvement. We will not work on a domestic case unless it involves a legal marriage or custody situation.

Q. Can I hire one of your private investigators to find an old family member or acquaintance for me?

A. Yes. However, once we find that person, we will ask for their consent to release their contact information to you before we tell you where they are located.

Q. Do private investigators need to be licensed?

A. The regulation of private investigators varies from state to state and country to country. We have licenses in Washington, DC, Virginia, Maryland and California. Colorado State does not offer or require a private investigator license. A list of licensing agencies for our private investigator licenses is included at the bottom of this page.

Q. If my company is conducting an internal investigation that may result in criminal or civil action, do I need to hire a licensed private investigator to conduct the investigation?

A. Laws governing what activities require a private investigator license vary from state to state and country to country. Many states have broad laws governing what requires licensing, and significant penalties for violating these laws. In many states, a contractor who is not a practicing attorney interviewing witnesses as part of an internal investigation must operate under a private investigator license. You should refer to the laws governing private investigators in your state.

The following are the regulatory agencies for our private investigator licenses:
Washington, DC:

Security Officers Management Branch
Metro Police Security Unit
2000 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-671-0500

Virginia:
Department of Criminal Justice Services
202 North Ninth Street, 10th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
804-786-4000
(Virginia also has limited reciprocity agreements with Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Tennessee)

Maryland:
Maryland State Police
Private Investigator Licensing Division
1201 Reisterstown Road
Pikesville, MD21208
410-653-4200

California:
Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
2420 Del Paso Road, Suite 270
Sacramento, CA 95834
916-322-4000
(California has limited reciprocity agreements with Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Oregon)