This bond protects the public from any damages caused by the misconduct or negligence from the licensed private detective. Specifically, the bond ensures the licensed private detective complies with all requirements of the Acts of Congress 47 Stat. 500, 79 Stat. 1307. Including, but not limited to: fraud, misrepresenting themselves, or impersonating a law enforcement officer.
Anyone opening a private detective business in the District of Columbia is required to file this $5,000 bond with the District of Columbia.
This bond costs $175 for 2 years. There is no underwriting required, and therefore no credit check necessary during the application.
To apply for your Washington D.C. Bond for a Private Detective Business, complete and submit the application below. You may also download a PDF application, and email it to apps@southcoastsurety.com, or fax it to (949)-361-9926. If you choose to email or fax your application, please download and complete a payment form and attach it to your documents.
Your bond will be issued within 1-3 days after you submit a completed application and payment.
This bond is also known as a DC Private Detective Bond, Private Detective Business Bond, private investigator Bond, or Detective Bond.
A surety bond is a three-way agreement between a Principal (the individual applying for a license to open a private Detective Business), the Obligee (District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, Security Officers Management Branch), and a surety company (the company financially backing the surety bond). A surety bond does NOT act like an insurance policy for the Principal; instead, it protects the Obligee from any liability in the event that the Principal violates the terms of their licensure. If you are renewing or applying for a license for a Private Detective Business in the District of Columbia, you are required to file this bond before your license is issued or renewed.
The cost of this bond is $175 for 2 years, and must remain active for the entire time your license is active. There is no credit check required. Your bond must correspond with the license year ending October 31, of the odd year.
If, during the course of your work as a private investigator in the District of Columbia, you fail to comply with all requirements of the Acts of Congress 47 Stat. 500, 79 Stat. 1307, there will likely be a claim filed against your bond. Claims could result from - but are not limited to - fraud, misrepresenting yourself, or impersonating a law enforcement officer. Your surety will pay the initial damages, at which point you are contractually obligated to fully repay your surety, including any associated fees that may be incurred.
Your surety may revoke your bond at any time, especially as the result of a claim against you. If your bond is revoked, your license will be invalid until you are able to file a new bond, and you will be unable to continue your business operations.
A claim against your bond acts like a mark against your “credit,” and a history of claims against your bond will complicate any future applications. Just as it is very important to follow the terms of a permit you are issued, you must do the same to maintain your surety bond.
South Coast Surety has been proudly providing surety support to all fifty U.S. states for twenty years. Starting out as a small agency with a dream in San Clemente, California, we have steadily grown into one of the largest bond-only agencies in the nation. We write all commercial bonds and contract bonds for every American business and industry. Our greatest achievement is helping our clients grow their business alongside our own through coaching and obtaining larger bonding limits at the best rates. We work hard for our clients and take pride in bonding businesses that have been declined by our competitors.