Obtaining a Delaware Business License—A Complete Guide
Businesses operating in Delaware are required to obtain a general business license issued and managed by the Delaware Division of Revenue.
If you're planning on forming a company in the state, you must know the proper registration licensing process for different business types.
In this article, we'll guide you through the process of obtaining and renewing a Delaware business license. We will also explain how Harbor Compliance can expedite the process and help you meet other regulatory requirements effortlessly.
Delaware General Business Licenses
Delaware Business License - General Services
| Agency: | Delaware Department of Finance - Division of Revenue |
| Law: | |
| Notes: | Any person or entity conducting a trade or business in the State of Delaware is required to obtain a Delaware business license from the Delaware Division of Revenue. This includes entities located in Delaware that conduct their business outside the state. If you are unsure of whether or not you have a substantial presence in Delaware to be subject to licensing and taxation, complete and submit a Nexus Questionnaire and the Delaware Division of Revenue will provide guidance. |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: |
|
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $75 |
| Due: |
|
Local General Business Licenses
City of Dover Business License
| Agency: | City of Dover Department of Inspection and Planning (DE) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary based on the nature of the business. A fee schedule is provided on the second page of the application. |
| Required Attachments: |
|
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary based on the nature of the business. A fee schedule is provided on the second page of the application. |
| Due: | Annually by August 1 |
| Required Attachments: |
|
Town of Elsmere Business License
| Agency: | Town of Elsmere - Code Enforcement Department (DE) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary based on the nature of the business |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary based on the nature of the business |
| Due: | Annually by October 31 |
| Notes: | Renewal notices with instructions are mailed out in the middle of September |
City of Lewes Business License
| Agency: | City of Lewes - Building Department (DE) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary based on the nature of the business and the number of employees |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary based on the nature of the business and number of employees |
| Due: | Annually by December 31 |
Town of Middletown Business License
| Agency: | Town of Middletown - Permits, Licensing & Inspections (DE) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary based on the nature of the business and gross receipts |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary based on the nature of the business and gross receipts |
| Due: | Annually by December 31 |
City of New Castle Business License
| Agency: | City of New Castle (DE) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $25 for residents, businesses licensed in New Castle and all nonprofits, $50 all others |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $25 for residents, businesses licensed in New Castle and all nonprofits, $50 all others |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Town of Smyrna Business / Contractor License - Out of Town Business
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $100 |
| Required Attachments: |
|
Registration Renewal
| Form: | Business/Contractor License Registration Application (Renewal) |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $100 |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
| Required Attachments: |
|
City of Wilmington Business License
| Agency: | City of Wilmington Wage/Business License Division (DE) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fee based on business type: Fee list is provided on the application form. (Prorated based on when the business starts) |
Registration Renewal
| Agency Fee: | Fee is the same as the fee listed on initial application; A renewal notice with fee amount will be sent out January 1 |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
What Is a Delaware Business License?
A Delaware business license is an official registration with the Delaware Division of Revenue required for any individual or entity running a business within the state. This license ensures that an organization adheres to industry regulations and is registered with the government for tax compliance purposes.
Note: This also includes organizations that are located in Delaware but conduct their business outside the state.
How To Get a Business License in Delaware
Getting a Delaware business license can differ slightly based on your business type, industry, and city. Typically, the process includes the following steps:
- Choose a business name and structure
- Apply for a Delaware business license
- Obtain applicable additional statewide license(s)
- Apply for local licenses
- Get any necessary federal licenses
Choose a Business Name and Structure
Before obtaining a general Delaware business license, it is essential to select a unique name that has not been previously registered and to determine the appropriate business structure.
Examples of common business structures include:
- Sole proprietorship
- Partnership
- Corporation or S corporation
- Limited liability company (LLC)
The legal, tax, and regulatory compliance requirements will vary depending on the type of business structure chosen.
If your business operates as an LLC or Corporation, it is necessary to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. After acquiring the EIN, you can proceed with registration through the Delaware Division of Corporations.
Apply for a Delaware Business License
Apply for a general Delaware business license by visiting the Delaware One Stop portal, filling out the CRA (Combined Registration Application) form, or contacting the Division of Revenue.
The Delaware One Stop allows you to add, modify, or renew all business licenses. Additionally, it enables the management of unemployment and workers' compensation withholdings. The fee for obtaining a license varies for different business types, which can be found here.
Note: Organizations without employees do not need to register with Delaware's Department of Labor for unemployment and workers' compensation.
Obtain Applicable Additional Statewide License(s)
Depending on your occupation or organization, the state may require you to obtain a state-specific license in addition to the general business license to run operations.
Industries such as finance, healthcare, and construction are among a wide range of professions regulated by the state. To file a license request, you should visit the official website of the Division of Professional Regulation.
Apply for Local Licenses
Your organization may need additional permits or licenses from the county, city, or town where you intend to conduct business. Contact your local municipality for information regarding any necessary permits and associated fees.
Get Any Necessary Federal Licenses
Typically, small businesses do not need a federal license unless it is regulated by the government. Some examples of companies that require a federal license include:
- Agriculture
- Radio and television broadcasting
- Firearms, ammunition, and explosives
- Aviation, maritime, or ground transportation
Maintaining Your Delaware Business License
To ensure your company is in good standing with Delaware, you have to make sure that your current license is valid. Under certain cases, your business may require a new license/license renewal, such as:
- Hiring a new employee
- Opening a brand in another state
- Closing an existing office
Delaware Business License Renewal
All Delaware business licenses must be renewed annually. General service licensees pay a $75 fee and extra charges for additional business locations. Licensees may elect to renew their license every three years if they prefer.
To renew your license, you can use the Delaware One Stop portal or email the Public Service Office of the Division of Revenue requesting a renewal.
Not renewing your license on time or failing to obtain a new one when opening in a new location can cause your business to lose its good standing with the state. Since keeping up with federal and local regulatory requirements can be time-consuming, outsourcing these tasks to professionals is often a smart move.
By letting a service provider like Harbor Compliance manage your business license, you can ensure that your company remains in good standing with the state while you focus on running your business.
Turn to Harbor Compliance for Effortless Delaware Business License Management
At Harbor Compliance, we provide comprehensive business license services—from obtaining a general business license to renewing it. Opt for our Managed Annual License Service and delegate various licensing tasks to us.
Our service follows a simple three-step plan to help you get your license. We:
- Retrieve basic information about your company.
- Prepare and submit all filings required for attaining a business license.
- Send you your approved business license and copies of your filings.
Additionally, our team of experts provides specific guidance on the kind of permits and licenses your business type requires in Delaware and other states. Our service also includes ongoing support to help you update license details or obtain a new one when you hire more employees or switch states, enabling you to focus on your core business responsibilities.
Also part of the Software Suite, our License Manager is a comprehensive solution that lets you view and track all your business licenses, eliminating the need for large spreadsheets.
For renewals, you can easily assign them to those in charge, set up customized notifications, and add notes such as specific instructions to ensure your company never misses a renewal deadline.
Powered by our native nationwide requirements database—Compliance Core™—the module also connects all your licenses to the database, helping you access the latest license regulations without manually looking them up. Furthermore, an interactive map gives you a bird's eye view of all your business licenses in different states.
How To Order Harbor Compliance's Managed Annual License Service
Follow the four steps below to order our license service:
- Go to the Business License Service page.
- Click the Order Online option.
- Complete the form.
- Hit Check Out.
We'll start working on submitting your filings as soon as you order the service and keep you updated throughout the entire process.
Additional Harbor Compliance Services
Our range of services goes beyond business licensing—explore the table below to view our entire service portfolio:
| Service Category | Services |
|---|---|
| Tax registration | Never miss out on any state requirements with the help of our payroll tax registration, Employer Identification Number (EIN), and sales and use tax registration services. |
| Business licensing support | Apart from general business licenses, we also specialize in filing, managing, and renewing industry-specific licenses, such as engineering and construction. |
| BOI reporting | Our Records Manager lets you store and centralize all ownership information. From here, you can leverage our BOI reporting service and submit up to four initial, corrected, or updated reports annually. |
| Document filing and retrieval | Use our document filing and retrieval service to fetch documents like certified copies, articles of reinstatement, certificates of good standing, and certificates of authority. Our Drop-off Filing service further helps you deliver/retrieve documents to/from the secretary of state. |
| Registered agent | With offices in all 50 states, we can be your registered agent and receive legal notices on your behalf no matter where your business operates. Looking to switch from an existing agent? Use our Change of Agent Service. |
| Nonprofit formation | We can help you with nonprofit incorporation and 501(c) tax-exempt nonprofit formation. Expedite your fundraising approval using our charity registration service. |
| Entity lifecycle management | Rely on us for name reservation and DBA management. Our services let you take charge at all stages of your entity's lifecycle with initial and annual reports filing, amendments, and if needed, withdrawal. |
Delaware Business License FAQs
In this section, we'll answer questions you may have regarding a Delaware state business license. Visit our Information Center to get more details on state licensing requirements.
Yes. According to the Delaware Division of Revenue, any person or entity (including corporations) that enters a trade or does business in Delaware must hold a State of Delaware business license.
No. Unlike most other U.S. states, obtaining a seller's permit in Delaware is not required since the state does not impose a local sales tax.
If you need a copy of your active business license(s), contact the Division of Revenue and inform them of this request.
Choose Harbor Compliance for Convenient Business Licensing
Obtaining and maintaining a Delaware business license means staying updated on all application state requirements. While the state offers paying license fees for up to three years, it's easy for renewal tasks to slip through the cracks.
With Harbor Compliance's Managed Annual License Service, you can easily delegate all your business licensing tasks and focus on core business operations. We can also ensure your business is in good standing with Delaware at all times with our Software Suite.
Get your zero-cost Harbor Compliance Score™ and check your entity's current standing in Delaware. If you find shortfalls in your current licensing management, contact us to customize a solution as per your specific business or industry needs, or schedule a free software demo to get a first-hand experience of our platform.
Learn more about business licensing in other states by visiting our Information Center or referring to the table below:
