State of Delaware Background Check In 2025

Planning Employment, Adoption, or Licensing? Here’s Your Complete Guide to the State of Delaware Background Check in 2025!

In today’s world, trust and safety are more important than ever—especially when it comes to hiring employees, renting property, or working with vulnerable populations. Whether you’re an employer, landlord, or just someone wanting to review your own public records, a State of Delaware background check can offer vital insights. Conducted primarily through the Delaware State Police, these checks provide verified information on an individual’s criminal history, identity, and other relevant records.

This article will walk you through how background checks work in Delaware, why they matter, and how you can request one legally and efficiently.

What Is a Delaware Background Check?

A background check in Delaware typically involves reviewing a person’s criminal history, identity, and sometimes employment or education records. These checks are often required for:

Job applications (especially in healthcare, education, or government)
Firearm purchases
Adoptions or foster care
Volunteer roles involving children or vulnerable adults
Housing applications

In Delaware, the State Bureau of Identification (SBI)—a division of the Delaware State Police—handles criminal background checks.

Types of Background Checks in Delaware

1. Criminal History Check

This is the most common type of background check. It includes:

Arrests: Whether the person has been taken into custody by law enforcement.
Convictions: Official declarations that someone is guilty of a crime.
Pending Charges: Criminal charges filed that are still under investigation or awaiting court resolution.
Sentencing Information: Includes jail time, probation, fines, or other penalties issued by a judge.

This check is critical for employers, landlords, and licensing agencies to assess a person’s legal history and determine eligibility or risk.

2. Child Protection Registry Check

This check confirms whether an individual appears on Delaware’s Child Protection Registry, a confidential list of people with substantiated cases of child abuse or neglect. It is often required for:

Childcare workers
School employees
Foster/adoptive parents
Volunteers working with children

Being listed can disqualify a person from working in roles involving children or vulnerable populations.

3. Sex Offender Registry Check

This registry tracks individuals convicted of sex-related crimes. A background check will reveal:

If the person is a registered sex offender in Delaware
Their risk level (Tier 1–3)
Restrictions or obligations (e.g., living near schools)

This check is used by employers, schools, and housing authorities to ensure public safety.

4. Federal Background Check (FBI)

Conducted by the FBI, this check provides a national-level view of a person’s criminal record and includes:

Crimes committed in any U.S. state or territory
Federal offenses
Immigration status, if applicable

It is commonly used for:

Federal government jobs
Immigration and visa applications
National security roles
Firearm purchases and licensing

How to Request a Delaware Background Check (Detailed Steps)

Step 1: Schedule an Appointment

Go to the Delaware State Police website: https://dsp.delaware.gov
Select “Criminal History” or “Background Check” and follow the prompts to book a fingerprinting appointment.

Step 2: Bring Required Documents

You must bring:

A government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport)
Payment (prices vary):
- $52 for a state-only background check
- $65 for a state and FBI combined check

Payment methods may include cash, credit/debit cards, or money orders depending on the location.

Step 3: Get Fingerprinted

You must visit a State Bureau of Identification (SBI) office:
- Dover
- Newark
- Georgetown
Fingerprinting is required to initiate a background check and verify identity with biometric data.

Step 4: Wait for Results

Processing time is usually 7–15 business days.
Results will either be:
- Mailed to the requestor (you or your employer), or
- Sent electronically to the authorized agency that requested the check.

Why Are Background Checks Important?

Public Safety

They help prevent individuals with dangerous or abusive histories from gaining access to jobs or roles that involve:

Children
Elderly adults
Financial trust
Public safety

Legal Compliance

Many jobs and licenses require background checks by law. For example:

Schools must vet teachers.
Daycares must check workers for abuse history.
Gun shops must verify buyers with FBI records.

Hiring Confidence

Employers can hire with confidence, knowing the applicant doesn’t have hidden red flags. It also reduces the chance of workplace misconduct.

Liability Protection

Companies that conduct proper background checks reduce their risk of negligent hiring lawsuits if an employee harms others on the job.

Your Rights Under the Law

Employers or agencies must obtain your written permission before requesting a background check. This is mandated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Delaware laws.

Dispute Rights

If your report has inaccurate or outdated information, you have the right to:

File a dispute with the reporting agency.
Request corrections or deletions.

Copy Access

If a third party (like an employer) uses your background check, you’re entitled to receive a free copy of the report.

Expungement Options

Delaware allows individuals to expunge certain arrests or convictions. Once expunged:

The record is removed from public databases.
It will not appear on future background checks.

Eligibility depends on the type of crime and how much time has passed.

Common Myths About Delaware Background Checks

“No permission needed.”

False. Consent is always legally required before conducting a background check.

“Only criminal records are checked.”

Wrong. Many background checks include:

Employment verification
Education history
Credit reports (for financial roles)

“Old records always show up.”

Incorrect. Expunged or sealed records are not included in standard background checks conducted by Delaware SBI.

FAQs About State of Delaware Background Check In 2025

1. How long does a Delaware background check take?

It typically takes 7 to 15 business days. Delays can happen due to:

Incorrect or incomplete information
High volume of requests
FBI checks taking longer than state-only checks

2. Can I request my own background check in Delaware?

Yes. You can request a personal background check for:

Employment
Immigration
Volunteering
Adoption
This is called a “Personal Criminal History” check.

3. Where can I get fingerprinted for a background check in Delaware?

You must visit one of the three State Bureau of Identification (SBI) offices:

Dover – Troop 3 SBI
Newark – Blue Hen Corporate Center
Georgetown – Thurman Adams State Service Center
Appointments are mandatory.

4. What’s the difference between a state and federal background check?

State Check: Reviews criminal records only from Delaware.
Federal (FBI) Check: Reviews records across all 50 states and U.S. territories—used for high-security or multi-jurisdictional roles.

Conclusion

Whether you’re an employer trying to hire responsibly, a landlord seeking a reliable tenant, or an individual checking your own record, understanding how Delaware background checks work is crucial. By following the correct steps and respecting the legal process, you can access the information you need while upholding transparency and privacy.

To begin your background check or learn more, visit the official Delaware State Police website: https://dsp.delaware.gov.

Do Follow Dragcast on Social Media For More Such Content.

Table of Contents