How to Hire a Private Detective in Maryland

Maryland licensing at a glance

Maryland licenses private detective agencies and certifies private detectives through the Licensing Division of the Maryland State Police.

Step by step: hiring in Maryland

1. Define your question. What do you need to know, and what decision depends on it?
2. Verify licensing. Look the detective up on the Maryland State Police, Licensing Division website rather than relying on a license number shown in an ad. Confirm the license is active and check the agency license as well as the individual's where both exist.
3. Agree on scope and cost in writing. Know what will be done, for how long, and what you'll receive.
4. Share what you know. Names, addresses, photos, vehicles and schedules save billable hours.
5. Insist on lawful methods. Maryland generally requires the consent of all parties to record a private conversation. Detectives shouldn't hack accounts, pretext for records, trespass or track phones.

What affects the cost of an investigation in Maryland

Maryland spans 23 counties and Baltimore City. Surveillance in a dense area like Baltimore may call for two detectives to keep a subject in view, while work in rural counties can involve more travel time. Records research that requires courthouse visits in several counties takes longer than searches available online.

Most surveillance is billed hourly plus expenses such as mileage; defined research tasks are often flat-fee. Our cost guide explains pricing in detail.

Questions to ask a Maryland detective

• Are you licensed for work in Maryland, and who will actually do the work?
• How often do you handle matters like mine in Maryland?
• How do you handle recording and tracking under Maryland law?
• Which county courts or records will you need, and how long will that take?
• What will the report include, and could you testify if needed?

More questions are in our list of 15 questions to ask before hiring.

Where we coordinate work in Maryland

Mooney & Boland coordinates investigations throughout Maryland, including Baltimore, Columbia, Germantown, Silver Spring and Frederick. See private detective services in Maryland for coverage and services.

Local pages for Maryland communities:

Common questions

Sources

• Maryland State Police, Licensing Division (official regulator)
• Justia: Recording Phone Calls and Conversations, 50-State Survey

Reviewed November 2026.