Private Investigator / Detective Agency Business

Your business requires a Graduated Business License (GBL).

If you still have questions about your business type, please contact our office at 314-622-4528 to find out the appropriate steps that you will need to follow to obtain a business license for the City of St. Louis.

 

Step 1: Obtain Police Records Check

Before visiting City Hall to acquire your Graduated Business License you must, obtain a Police Record check from the City or St. Louis County. The records check can be completed here:

Public Service Center
Records Division
St. Louis Police Department
1200 Clark St., Room 114
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 444-5589

There will be a charge for the record check. Cash or money order only. The charge is $9.00 and there is a three day waiting period. You will need to provide a valid photo, proof of birthdate, social security number, and type of business you need a record check for.

Step 2: Complete GBL form and visit our office

Visit the License Collector’s office in Room 104 of City Hall in person. For your convenience, you may download the Graduated Business License application and fill it out in advance.

Step 3: Obtain Statement of Clearance

In addition to visiting the License Collector’s office, you will also need to obtain a clearance from the Collector of Revenue’s office at the location below:

City Hall Room 410
1200 Market St.
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 622-3291

St. Louis City Ordinance 63454
St. Louis City Revised Code Chapter 8.02.010 - Statement of Clearance requirement

Step 4: Obtain Occupancy Permit

You must also obtain an Occupancy Permit from the Building Division at the location below:

Building Division
Department of Public Safety
City Hall Room 425
1200 Market St.
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 622-3313

Step 5: Additional Information

Finally, you must provide the following information: 

1. Experience Requirements, including Military Police, police experience or secret service.
2. Five references for each person including the owner and board of directors. The references must have known the person applying for license at least five years.
3. This information will be forwarded to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and must be approved before a license can be issued.

 

Once all clearances and payments are received, you will be able to obtain your license to do business in the City of St. Louis.

 

If you pay by check, the license application may be held for several working days until the check clears.

A separate Graduated Business License is required for each business location or trade name (St. Louis City Ordinance 52030).

Please visit our general information page to get more important information that you will need to know before obtaining your business license.

For more information about the License Collector's Office other resources and services, please visit our office home page. Once you are there, you will find a list of links to the various other resources and services provided by our office.