Delaware Concealed Carry Permit Application Process

Governing Statute

The concealed carry permit application process in Delaware is governed by 11 Del. C. § 1441 — "License to carry concealed deadly weapons."

Eligibility Requirements

A person must be:

• Of full age (21 years or older)
• Of good moral character
• Desiring to carry a concealed deadly weapon for personal protection or protection of property

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Prepare Written Application

The applicant must prepare a written application clearly stating:

• That the person is of full age
• That the person desires to be licensed to carry a concealed deadly weapon for personal protection or protection of property, or both
• The person's residence and occupation
• All information necessary to conduct a criminal history background check

The application must be filed with the Prothonotary of the proper county (the county in which the applicant resides) at least 15 days before the next term of Superior Court.

(11 Del. C. § 1441(a)(1))

Step 2: Obtain Certificate of Five Respectable Citizens

The applicant must file, with the Prothonotary, a certificate signed by 5 respectable citizens of the county in which the applicant resides. The certificate must clearly state:

• The applicant is a person of full age, sobriety, and good moral character
• The applicant bears a good reputation for peace and good order in the community
• The carrying of a concealed deadly weapon is necessary for the protection of the applicant or the applicant's property, or both

The certificate must be signed with the proper signatures and in the proper handwriting of each respectable citizen.

(11 Del. C. § 1441(a)(2))

Step 3: Verification Under Oath

The applicant must file the application verified by oath or affirmation in writing, taken before an officer authorized by Delaware law to administer oaths. Under this verification, the applicant must state that:

• The certificate and recommendation were read to or by the signers
• The signatures are in the proper and genuine handwriting of each signer

(11 Del. C. § 1441(a)(3))

Step 4: Complete Firearms Training Course (Initial Application Only)

Prior to the issuance of an initial license, the applicant must file with the Prothonotary a notarized certificate signed by an instructor or authorized representative of a sponsoring agency, school, organization, or institution certifying that the applicant:

1. Has completed a firearms training course containing the required minimum elements
2. Is sponsored by an approved entity

Approved Sponsoring Entities:

• Federal, state, county, or municipal law-enforcement agency
• A college
• A nationally recognized organization that customarily offers firearms training
• A firearms training school with instructors certified by a nationally recognized organization

Required Course Elements:

• a. Knowledge and safe handling of firearms
• b. Safe storage of firearms and child safety
• c. Knowledge and safe handling of ammunition
• d. Safe storage of ammunition and child safety
• e. Safe firearms shooting fundamentals
• f. Live fire shooting exercises conducted on a range, including the expenditure of a minimum of 100 rounds of ammunition
• g. Ways to develop and maintain firearm shooting skills
• h. Federal and state laws pertaining to lawful purchase, ownership, transportation, use, and possession of firearms
• i. Laws of Delaware pertaining to the use of deadly force for self-defense
• j. Techniques for avoiding a criminal attack and managing a violent confrontation, including conflict resolution

(11 Del. C. § 1441(a)(3))

Step 5: Pay Application Fee

At the time the application is filed, the applicant must pay a fee of $65.00 to the Prothonotary.

(11 Del. C. § 1441(a)(4))

Step 6: Publication of Application

The Prothonotary shall cause notice of every application to be published once, at least 10 days before the next term of Superior Court, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county. The publication is made as a list in alphabetical form stating the name and residence of each applicant.

(11 Del. C. § 1441(b))

Step 7: Superior Court Review

The Prothonotary lays all applications before the Superior Court at its next term, together with the certificates and recommendations. The Court reviews the applications on the first day of such term.

The Court may or may not, in its discretion, approve any application. To satisfy itself regarding the propriety of approval, the Court may:

• Receive remonstrances (formal objections)
• Hear evidence and arguments for and against the application
• Establish general rules for that purpose

(11 Del. C. § 1441(c), (d))

Step 8: Court Decision and License Issuance

• If approved: The Court endorses "approved" with the date and signature. The Prothonotary notifies the applicant and, following receipt of the notarized firearms training course certification, issues the license.
• If not approved: The Court endorses "not approved" with signature.

The license expires on June 1 next succeeding the date of approval.

The Prothonotary must affix a photographic representation (photo) of the licensee to the license before lamination.

(11 Del. C. § 1441(e), (f))

Criminal History Background Check

The Superior Court may conduct a criminal history background check pursuant to Chapter 85 of Title 11 for licensing purposes. The applicant must submit all information necessary to conduct the background check.

(11 Del. C. § 1441(a)(1))

Fingerprinting for Background Check

The fee for a certified State of Delaware Criminal History is $72.00. The fee for a combined State and Federal Criminal History is $85.00. Fingerprint appointments can be scheduled through IdentoGo at 9 locations across Delaware (Wilmington, Newark (x2), Middletown, Dover (x2), Milford, Georgetown, and Seaford).

If there is a specific requirement that fingerprints must be taken by a law enforcement agency (such as for a concealed carry permit in some states), the applicant must respond to the State Bureau of Identification location at 600 S. Bay Rd, Dover, DE 19901. No other IdentoGo location can satisfy this requirement.

License Duration and Renewal

Initial License

• Valid for 3 years from issuance

(11 Del. C. § 1441(a)(5)(a))

Renewal

• On or before the expiration date, the licensee may renew without further application for a period of 5 years
• Renewal fee: $65.00
• The licensee must file an affidavit with the Prothonotary stating:
  • Carrying a concealed deadly weapon is necessary for personal protection or protection of property
  • The person possesses all requirements for license issuance
• Subsequent renewals may be made every 5 years thereafter
• The Superior Court, upon good cause, may inquire into the renewal request and deny it for good cause shown
• No additional requirements beyond those specified may be imposed for renewal
• No firearms training course is required for renewal — only for initial applications

(11 Del. C. § 1441(a)(5)(a))

COVID-19 Extension (Expired)

Licenses that expired in 2020 or 2021 could be renewed by satisfying conditions with the Prothonotary no later than December 31, 2022.

(11 Del. C. § 1441(a)(5)(b))

License Forms

The Secretary of State prepares blank license forms and issues them to the Prothonotaries of the counties in Delaware.

(11 Del. C. § 1441(f))

Concealed Carry License Holder Benefits

Holders of a valid concealed carry permit issued under § 1441 are:

• Exempt from background check requirements for firearm purchases from licensed dealers (11 Del. C. § 1448A(e)(5))
• Exempt from background check requirements for private firearm transfers (11 Del. C. § 1448B(c)(6))
• Not required to obtain a handgun qualified purchaser permit before purchasing a handgun (11 Del. C. § 1448D(c)(2))
• Exempt from the large-capacity magazine prohibition (11 Del. C. § 1469(c)(5))

Summary of Fees

Filing Location

Applications are filed with the Prothonotary of the county in which the applicant resides. Delaware has three counties:

• New Castle County
• Kent County
• Sussex County