The documents you need before you walk in

To get your first Delaware driver's license, you need to bring six things to a Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles office: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, proof of Delaware residency, a completed process form, your Social Security card or a document showing your number, and payment for the license fee. The state does not accept all documents equally — some count as proof of identity, others only as supporting documents — so knowing which category each one falls into saves you a trip back home.

Delaware requires at least one document from the "primary" list for identity, at least one from the "secondary" list if you do not have a primary document, and specific documents for residency and Social Security. You cannot substitute one type for another. For example, a school ID counts as secondary identity but does not count as proof of residency, even though it shows your name and address.

The fee for a Delaware driver's license is $97 for an eight-year license if you are 18 or older. If you are under 18, the fee is $72 for a four-year license. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at any DMV office.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring a primary identity document (passport, birth certificate, or military ID) or two secondary documents (school ID, work ID, or utility bill with your name).
  • Proof of Social Security requires your actual Social Security card, a W-2 form, or a tax return showing your full nine-digit number.
  • Delaware residency proof must show your current address and can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.
  • You must complete the MV-1 process form before you arrive or fill it out at the DMV office.
  • The license costs $97 for eight years if you are 18 or older, or $72 for four years if you are under 18.

Primary identity documents that work on their own

A primary identity document is one the state trusts to prove who you are without needing anything else. If you have one of these, you do not need to bring a second identity document. Delaware accepts a valid U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate with a raised seal, a military ID card, or a passport card.

A birth certificate must be an official certified copy with a raised or embossed seal from the vital records office of the state or territory where you were born. A photocopy, even if notarized, does not count. If you were born outside the United States, you can use a valid passport or a Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship.

If you do not have a primary document, you will need to bring two secondary documents instead. This is more common than you might think — many people do not carry a passport, and getting a certified birth certificate takes time.

Secondary identity documents and how to combine them

A secondary identity document shows your name and usually your photo or signature, but the state considers it less official than a primary document. Delaware accepts a school ID, work ID, professional license, hunting or fishing license, or a utility bill or bank statement with your name on it. You need two of these if you do not have a primary document.

The two documents must be different types — you cannot bring two school IDs, for example. One should ideally have a photo or signature. If you are in school, a current school ID plus a utility bill in your name works. If you work, an employee ID plus a bank statement works. If you are unemployed or between jobs, two utility bills in your name, or a utility bill plus a lease agreement, will work.

All secondary documents must be current or recent. A utility bill or bank statement should be dated within the last 60 days. An expired school ID or work ID is usually accepted if it shows your current name, but ask the DMV office when you call to confirm.

Proof of your Social Security number

Delaware requires you to show your Social Security number in writing. The easiest way is to bring your actual Social Security card. If you do not have it or cannot find it, you can bring a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return that shows your full nine-digit Social Security number. A paystub with your full number also works.

Do not bring a document that shows only the last four digits of your number — the DMV needs all nine digits. If you have never worked and do not have a tax return, you can request a replacement Social Security card from the Social Security Administration before you go to the DMV, or you can call the DMV office ahead of time to ask what other documents they will accept in your situation.

Proof that you live in Delaware

Delaware residency proof must show your name and your current address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. Acceptable documents include a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, or a government-issued document with your address, such as a property tax bill or voter registration card.

If you recently moved to Delaware and do not yet have a utility bill or lease in your name, you can use a letter from your landlord or a notarized statement from someone you live with, along with a secondary identity document showing your address. Call your local DMV office first to confirm they will accept this combination.

A PO box does not count as proof of residency. If you receive mail at a PO box, you still need a document showing your street address.

The process form and what to fill in

Delaware uses the MV-1 form, the process for a Delaware Driver's License or Identification Card. You can read it from the Delaware DMV website before you go, or you can fill it out at the DMV office. Filling it out ahead of time usually moves you through the line faster.

The form asks for your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, phone number, and email. It also asks whether you want to be an organ donor and whether you want to register to vote. You will sign the form in front of a DMV employee, not before you arrive.

If your legal name is different from the name on your identity documents — for example, if you changed your name after marriage or through a court order — bring the document that shows the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order. The DMV will note this in their system.

What happens after you bring everything in

Once you hand in your documents, a DMV employee will check them against a checklist. If anything is missing or does not meet the requirements, they will tell you what you need to bring back. If everything is in order, you will take a vision test, have your photo taken, and sign a digital pad to create your signature on file.

You will then take the written knowledge test, which covers Delaware traffic laws and road signs. You need to score at least 80 percent to pass. If you pass, you will receive a temporary paper license that day, valid for 30 days while your plastic card is printed and mailed to your address. The plastic card usually arrives within two weeks.

If you do not pass the written test, you can retake it the same day or come back another day. There is no extra fee for retakes. Once you pass the written test and get your temporary license, you can schedule a road test with a DMV examiner or a third-party testing facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a passport card instead of a full passport?

Yes. A valid U.S. passport card counts as a primary identity document and is accepted on its own. It is smaller and cheaper than a full passport, and works the same way for DMV purposes.

What if my birth certificate does not have a raised seal?

It will not count as a primary document. You will need to bring two secondary identity documents instead. You can order a certified copy with a raised seal from the vital records office in the state where you were born, but that takes time. For your DMV visit, use the secondary document route.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card if I have a recent tax return?

No. A tax return, W-2, or 1099 that shows your full nine-digit Social Security number works just as well as the card itself. Bring whichever document you have available.

What if I just moved to Delaware and my utility bill still shows my old address?

Call the DMV office in your area before you go. Most will accept a recent utility bill from your old state along with a lease or rental agreement for your new Delaware address, or a notarized letter from your landlord. Having a plan ahead of time prevents a wasted trip.

Can I get my license the same day as my written test?

You will receive a temporary paper license the same day you pass the written test. Your plastic card is mailed to you and usually arrives within two weeks. You cannot take your road test until you have the temporary license in hand.