The Delaware State Police, through its State Bureau of Identification (SBI), has announced that individuals preparing to apply for a handgun qualified purchaser permit can now schedule fingerprinting appointments with IdentoGO. The fingerprinting is a required part of the background investigation under Delaware’s new Permit to Purchase law, which takes effect on November 16, 2025.
The online application portal for the permit is expected to open next week, and officials encourage applicants to complete both fingerprinting and firearms safety training ahead of time to avoid processing delays. Fingerprinting services are available by appointment only through IdentoGO, and applicants must use Service Code 27S8N2 when scheduling to ensure proper routing for the permit process. Appointments can be booked online by clicking here.
Individuals who have not yet completed the required firearms safety training with an approved instructor are advised to do so before submitting their applications. A list of certified instructors is available on the Permit to Purchase website and is updated regularly as new instructors are approved.
SBI will begin processing applications once the online portal launches and is required by law to issue or deny a permit within 30 days of receiving a complete submission. For additional details about the Permit to Purchase program, including instructor certification and program requirements, visit the Delaware State Police Permit to Purchase website.
The Permit to Purchase requires individuals to complete a firearm safety training course and pay for fingerprinting before they are able to purchase a handgun. The permit is valid for two years while the training course is valid for five years. If the Permit to Purchas is revoked, law enforcement is instructed to confiscate any handguns acquired without a permit. The law is currently facing challenges in court.
Exemptions to the firearms training requirement are outlined in Delaware law and can be found in the Delaware Code.
