UPDATED: DSP Announce Permit to Purchase Online Application Portal – Now Live
UPDATED – 10/28/25 – The Delaware State Police, through the State Bureau of Identification (SBI), announces that the Permit to Purchase online application portal is now live. Delaware residents who plan to purchase or transfer a handgun on or after November 16, 2025, must first obtain a handgun qualified purchaser permit.
Applicants can begin the process by reviewing the requirements on the Permit to Purchase website. When ready, they may submit the online application through the Permit to Purchase Portal.
How to Apply
- Complete a firearms safety course with an approved instructor.
- Schedule fingerprinting with IdentoGO using Service Code 27S8N2.
- Submit the online application through the Permit to Purchase Application Portal and upload the required documents.
Required documents include:
- Government-issued photo identification
- Military orders, if applicable
- Firearms Training Course Certification or proof of exemption
Individuals who hold a valid Delaware Concealed Carry Deadly Weapon (CCDW) license issued by the Superior Court are not required to apply for a handgun qualified purchaser permit.
If You Do Not Have Internet Access
Paper applications are available at all Delaware State Police troops. Completed paper applications must be submitted in person at the SBI Dover location for processing. Applications will be processed in the order they are received.
Decision Timeline
By law, SBI will issue a decision within 30 days of receiving a complete application. Applications submitted without all required steps will not be processed. Applicants will be notified of any missing items and may resubmit once requirements are met. If a legal disqualifier exists under state or federal law, the decision will be a written denial.
Training and Instructor List
A list of approved firearms instructors is available on the Permit to Purchase website and is updated regularly as instructors are certified.
Exemptions
Exemptions to the training requirement are outlined in Delaware law.
For program updates and detailed instructions, visit the Permit to Purchase website. Due to the expected volume, SBI staff are not to respond to individual process questions by email. Application-related correspondence is handled through DSP_SBIP2PMail@delaware.gov.
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UPDATED 10/27/25 –Â As the start of the Permit to Purchase nears on November 16th, Delaware State Police, through the State Bureau of Identification (SBI), say that if you are preparing to apply for a handgun qualified purchaser permit, you may now schedule fingerprint appointments with IdentoGO as a part of the Permit to Purchase process.
Applicants are required to be fingerprinted as part of the background investigation – the online application portal is anticipated to open next week. You’re encouraged to complete the fingerprinting and firearms safety training requirements in advance to avoid delays once the program becomes available.
Additional information from DSP:
Fingerprinting services are available by appointment only through IdentoGO. When scheduling, applicants must use Service Code 27S8N2 to ensure their prints are appropriately routed for the Permit to Purchase process.
Appointments can be made online at https://uenroll.identogo.com.
Individuals who have not yet completed the required firearms safety training with an approved instructor should do so before submitting their application. A list of approved instructors is available on the Permit to Purchase website and is updated regularly as new instructors are certified.
SBI will begin processing complete applications once the online application portal goes live. By law, SBI is required to issue or deny a permit within 30 days of the receipt of a fully complete application.
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ORIGINAL STORYÂ 10/17/25 – The Delaware Permit to Purchase Program will open for registration in coming weeks. Delaware State Police remind you that under Delaware law, a handgun qualified purchaser permit will be required to purchase or transfer a handgun in Delaware beginning on November 16th. Permits will be issued by the State Bureau of Identification within the Delaware State Police. Visit the Permit to Purchase website to learn about the training and documentation requirements that are associated with the new law.
Additional information from the DSP:
Individuals are urged to review the process ahead of that date to ensure they are prepared to meet all necessary criteria.
Although the registration link is temporarily inactive, the webpage offers a complete overview of the program and will be activated once the online application portal is operational.
PERMIT TO PURCHASE PROCESS
To obtain a handgun qualified purchaser permit, applicants must:
- Complete a firearms safety course with an approved instructor.
- Obtain fingerprints and a photograph through an appointment with IdentoGO.
- Pass a background check conducted by SBI.
Applicants must also submit the following documents when filling out the online application:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Military orders (if applicable)
- Firearms Training Course Certificate or proof of exemption
Individuals with a valid Delaware Concealed Carry Deadly Weapon (CCDW) license issued by the Superior Court are not required to apply for a handgun qualified purchaser permit.
Exemptions and Special Circumstances
This process applies to anyone who is not an active or retired law enforcement officer or a current CCDW holder. Qualified law enforcement officers, retired officers, military members, and other specific groups may be exempt from the firearms training course requirement. Proof of exemption must be submitted with the application.
Exemptions to the firearms training requirement are specified in Delaware law.
A list of approved firearms instructors is available on the Permit to Purchase website and is updated regularly as new instructors are certified.
Registration and Contact Information
In the coming week, applicants will be able to access and submit their applications through the Permit to Purchase Portal once it becomes available.
All application-related correspondence will be managed through DSP_SBIP2PMail@delaware.gov. Due to the anticipated volume of submissions, SBI staff will not be able to respond to individual questions about the application process. The Permit to Purchase website will be the main source for program updates and detailed information.