West Virginia — Private Detective Or Investigator Bond
West Virginia allows the required financial proof through a $5,000 surety bond or sufficient liability insurance accepted by the Secretary of State. If using the bond route, apply through The Southern Agency with the correct individual or firm identity and full licensing dates ready.
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- Recorded state
- West Virginia
- Bond type
- Private Investigator / Detective Bond
- Category
- Professional & occupational licenses
What this bond does
Section 30-18-3 conditions the bond on faithful and honest conduct of the investigation business. It is a licensing security choice, not a substitute for qualifications or permission to employ investigators under an individual-only license.
- Who needs it
- Applicants for West Virginia private detective, private investigator or investigation-firm licensing who choose surety security and match the principal to their actual application.
- Who it protects
- The statute makes the security favor the State and people damaged by violations of the article. It permits action against the licensee and surety, excludes punitive damages from the surety’s liability and caps aggregate surety liability at the bond amount.
Your bond option
This is the option on record for this bond.
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The bond amount describes the limit of the bond obligation, not the price. A listed amount does not establish what the requesting party requires. The premium is what you pay and must be confirmed for the actual option. An E&O limit, where listed, is separate errors and omissions insurance.
Sources
- West Virginia Code30-18-3: investigation application and security (opens in a new tab)Checked October 21, 2026
- WV Secretary of State: individual private investigator instructions (opens in a new tab)Checked October 21, 2026
- WV Secretary of State: detective/investigator surety form and instructions (opens in a new tab)Checked October 21, 2026
Have these ready
- Correct individual or firm applicant, legal business identity and license route.
- $5,000 State bond request or separately accepted liability-insurance route.
- Full license-period start/end dates and official form.
- Original signatures, acknowledgments and surety power of attorney, plus separate state qualification materials.
Questions about this bond
Must I buy a bond as well as liability insurance?
The current statute and Secretary’s instructions offer the surety bond or sufficient liability proof as alternatives. Confirm the accepted insurance route rather than assuming any policy qualifies or both are compulsory.
Can an individual license cover investigators I hire?
The Secretary’s individual instructions say you may not employ or allow another person to assist in investigations without obtaining a firm license. Match the actual license structure before purchasing.
Does the surety pay punitive damages without limit?
No. Section 30-18-3 excludes punitive damages from surety liability and limits aggregate liability to the bond amount; buying this security does not remove the licensee’s own responsibilities.