What Counts As Proof of Residency In Delaware?

You can use a utility bill or credit card statement as proof of residency in Delaware, but personal mail won’t count.
Written by James Ellaby
Reviewed by Amy Bobinger
background
Utility bills, vehicle registration documents, and tax returns can all be used as proof of residency in Delaware
To get a Delaware driver’s license, you’ll need to prove to the Secretary of State that you’re a permanent resident of Delaware. You’ll need certain key documents to prove who you are, like a U.S. birth certificate or valid, unexpired U.S. passport, but you’ll also need to have some that verify that you do live in Delaware. 
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What documents can be used as proof of residency in Delaware?

To obtain a Delaware driver’s license or REAL ID, you’ll need to provide the office of the Secretary of State with four kinds of identification documents. These need to provide proof of your: 
  • Identity
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security number
  • Address of principal residence (within Delaware)
For a standard first-time driver’s license, you need two forms of identification. At least one of these must have a photograph, and one must be considered a primary form of ID. Additionally, you’ll need your Social Security card and two proofs of principal residence.
To provide proof of residency in Delaware, you need two items from the following list: 
  • Utility bill
  • Credit card statement
  • Auto or life insurance policy
  • Voter registration card
  • Bank account record
  • Employment record
  • Rental agreement
  • U.S. Postal Service change of address confirmation form/postmarked mail with a forwarding address label
  • Other non-personal mail postmarked within the last 60 days
Any of these documents can be used as proof of residency in the state of Delaware for a driver’s license application. All documents must be original though, so a photocopy won’t satisfy the requirement. 
MORE: Title transfer in Delaware

What qualifies for proof of identity in Delaware?

As we mentioned earlier, there are two levels of identity proof accepted in Delaware—‘primary’ and ‘secondary’. The primary list includes: 
  • U.S.-issued Certificate of Birth. Must be an original or certified copy, have a raised seal, and be issued by the Office of Vital Statistics or State Board of Health. If under 18, the birth certificate must include birth parent(s) names
  • Consular report of birth abroad
  • Certificate of Naturalization
  • Certificate of Citizenship
  • Northern Marina Card
  • American Indian Card
  • U.S. Citizen Identification Card)
  • Valid passport, U.S. If foreign, appropriate INS document also is required
  • Resident Alien Card
  • Temporary Resident Identification Card
  • Non-Resident Alien Canadian Border Crossing Card
  • Record of Arrival and Departure (in a valid Foreign Passport)
  • Record of Arrival and Departure w/attached photo stamped "Temporary Proof of Lawful Permanent Resident"
  • Processed for I-551 stamp (in a valid Foreign Passport)
  • Permanent Resident Re-Entry Permit
  • Refugee Travel Document
  • Employment Authorization Card
  • Canadian Immigration Record and Visa or Record of Landing
  • Federally Compliant State issued photo driver's license
  • Federally Compliant State/Province/Territory issued photo ID card
  • Court order. Must contain full name, date of birth, and court seal. Examples include adoption documents, name change documents, gender documents, etc. Does not include an abstract of criminal or civil conviction
  • State-issued photo driver's license
  • State/Province/Territory issued photo ID card
  • Certified microfilm/copy of driver's license or ID card
  • Official letter issued by vital statistics verifying full name and date of birth
  • Certified school records or transcripts verifying full name and date of birth

How to save on Delaware car insurance costs

If you’re applying for a Delaware driver’s license for the first time, this is the perfect time to shop for a new car insurance policy. You could be a new driver looking for the best deal because those insurance costs can be terrifying, or you could be simply moving from out of state and wondering if you can make savings. Either way, you need to check out
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