DE Form 964 is a Delaware-specific document that proves you meet the state's residency and identity requirements to get a driver's license or ID card certificate

The form itself is titled "Affidavit of Residency and Identity" and is issued by the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You fill it out and sign it in front of a notary public or DMV employee to confirm you live in Delaware and are who you say you are. The state uses it when your other documents — birth certificate, Social Security card, proof of address — are incomplete, expired, or missing.

DE Form 964 does not replace your other identity documents. It supplements them. If you already have a valid passport, military ID, or other federal ID, you typically do not need it. But if you are explore for your first Delaware driver's license or renewing one and cannot produce the usual paperwork, the DMV may ask you to complete this form instead.

Key Takeaways

  • DE Form 964 is an affidavit you sign under oath before a notary to prove your Delaware residency and identity when standard documents are missing or invalid.
  • You need a notary public to witness your signature; the DMV office itself can provide notary services at no extra charge during your visit.
  • The form is required only if you cannot produce the usual identity and residency documents the DMV normally accepts.
  • Completing the form does not may provide you will receive your license certificate — the DMV still reviews all your paperwork and may request additional proof.

When the DMV asks for DE Form 964

The Delaware DMV requests this form in specific situations. The most common is when you are explore for a driver's license or ID card for the first time and your birth certificate is missing, damaged, or not yet received from the state vital records office. Another scenario is when you have moved to Delaware recently and do not yet have utility bills, lease agreements, or other standard proof of address in your name.

You may also need it if your Social Security card is lost and you have not yet replaced it, or if your previous state's ID was suspended or revoked and you cannot produce it. The form allows you to attest under oath that the information you are providing is true, which the DMV accepts as a substitute for documents they cannot verify quickly.

The DMV does not automatically send you this form. You discover you need it when you arrive at the office to explore and the clerk reviews your documents. At that point, they will tell you which documents are missing and whether DE Form 964 will help. You can also call the Delaware DMV ahead of time to ask whether your specific situation requires it.

How to complete and notarize DE Form 964

You can obtain the blank form from the Delaware DMV website or by visiting a DMV office in person. Print it out or request a copy when you arrive. The form asks for your full legal name, date of birth, current Delaware address, and a statement that you are a Delaware resident and that the information you have provided is true and correct.

You must sign the form in front of a notary public. Many Delaware DMV offices have a notary on staff, and notarization is provided at no charge as part of your license transaction. If you prefer to have it notarized elsewhere, you can visit a bank, attorney's office, or independent notary service — costs vary but typically range from five to fifteen dollars. The notary will ask for a photo ID to confirm your identity before witnessing your signature.

Bring the completed, notarized form to your DMV appointment along with all other documents the office requested. Do not sign the form before you arrive at the notary's location; the notary must watch you sign it.

What documents to bring alongside DE Form 964

The form alone is not enough. You still need to provide as much of the standard documentation as you can. This typically includes a birth certificate or certified copy, Social Security card or a letter from the Social Security Administration if your card is lost, and proof of Delaware residency such as a utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days and showing your current address.

You will also need a valid photo ID if you have one — a passport, military ID, or ID from another state all work. If you do not have a photo ID at all, the form helps bridge that gap, but the DMV may ask for additional documents to confirm your identity, such as school records, employment verification, or a letter from a government agency.

Bring originals or certified copies, not photocopies. The DMV will not accept uncertified copies of birth certificates or other vital records. If you are still waiting for your birth certificate to arrive, bring the receipt or process confirmation from the vital records office showing you have requested it.

The timeline for processing after you submit DE Form 964

Submitting the form does not speed up your license issuance. The DMV still processes your process in the order it was received. Standard processing for a new driver's license or ID card in Delaware typically takes five to ten business days from the date you complete your appointment, though this varies depending on how busy the office is and whether the DMV needs to verify any of your information with other agencies.

If the DMV has questions about your form or your identity after you leave, they will contact you by phone or mail. Make sure the address and phone number you provide are accurate and that you check your mail regularly. If you do not respond within the timeframe they give you, your process may be delayed or denied.

What happens if the DMV denies your process

If the DMV determines that DE Form 964 and your other documents are still insufficient to prove your identity or residency, they will send you a written notice explaining what is missing. The notice will specify which documents they need and give you a important date to provide them, usually 30 days.

At that point, you have a few options. You can gather the additional documents they requested and resubmit them by mail or in person. You can request a hearing before a DMV hearing officer if you believe the decision was wrong. Or you can contact the Delaware DMV directly to ask what alternatives exist — for example, if you need a birth certificate and it has not yet arrived, the DMV may accept a letter from the vital records office confirming your request and expected delivery date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I notarize DE Form 964 myself or have a friend witness it?

No. A notary public must witness your signature. A notary is a state-commissioned official trained to verify identity and administer oaths. A friend or family member cannot serve this function, and the DMV will reject the form if it is not properly notarized. The DMV office can notarize it for free during your appointment.

Do I need DE Form 964 if I have a valid passport?

No. A valid U.S. passport, military ID, or federal ID card is sufficient proof of identity and citizenship for a Delaware driver's license. The DMV will not ask for DE Form 964 if you have one of these documents. The form is only for people whose standard identity documents are missing or expired.

What if I moved to Delaware but my lease is in my roommate's name?

A lease in someone else's name is not accepted as proof of your residency. You will need a document that shows your name and your Delaware address. Utility bills, bank statements, insurance policies, or tax documents all work. If none of these are available yet, ask your utility company or bank to issue a letter on letterhead confirming your address and account opening date. DE Form 964 can supplement this, but you still need at least one document with your name on it.

How long is DE Form 964 valid after I sign it?

The form itself does not expire, but the information on it must be current. If you sign the form and then do not submit it to the DMV for several months, the DMV may ask you to update your address or other details. It is best to complete the form and submit your process within a few weeks of having it notarized.

Can I get a driver's license without DE Form 964 if I just moved here?

Yes, if you have the standard documents. You need a birth certificate, Social Security card, and proof of Delaware residency. If you have all three, you do not need the form. The form is only for people who are missing one or more of these documents.