SmallBizHandbookSmallBizHandbook

Delaware New Hire Reporting Requirements (2026)

Last updated: 2026-10-12 · Delaware's rules were checked against the state's own site and the federal OCSE reference guide on 2026-10-12

Delaware employers must report every new or rehired employee to the Delaware State Directory of New Hires within 20 days after an employee is hired, rehired or returns to work. That matches the federal 20-day limit. Only government agencies must report independent contractors. Delaware asks only for the 7 federal data elements.

Deadline
20 days
same as federal
Report contractors?
Government agencies only
Rehire rule
60+ days gone
federal rule
Extra required data
None
beyond the federal 7

Delaware new hire reporting rules

Delaware new hire reporting

Delaware State Directory of New Hires

20
days

Deadline: Within 20 days after an employee is hired, rehired or returns to work.

Electronic filers may instead send twice-monthly transmissions 12–16 days apart. The source doesn't say business or calendar days — count calendar days to be safe.

What to report

7 federal data elements (every state)
  • Employee name
  • Employee address
  • Employee Social Security number
  • Date of hire (first day the employee performed services for pay)
  • Employer name
  • Employer address
  • Employer FEIN (same FEIN used for quarterly wage reports)

No extra required fields beyond the federal 7.

Only in some cases:

  • State of hire (state where the employee works) — if reporting as a multistate employer

Optional (requested, not required):

  • Employee date of birth
  • Employee gender
  • Is medical insurance an employee benefit?
  • Employer contact name and phone number

How to file

Open DE reporting site ↗

Methods: Online · File upload / SFTP · Fax · Mail

Phone
855-481-0018
Fax
855-481-0047
Mail
Delaware State Directory of New Hires, PO Box 19, Ridgeland, MS 39158

Official DE requirements page

Independent contractors

Only government agencies must report contractors

Governmental agencies must report independent contractors they hire; all other employers may report them if they choose.

Rehires & recalls

Report rehires separated for at least 60 consecutive days.

Penalty

$25 per failure to report; $500 if employer and employee conspire (30 Del. C. § 1156A(d))

When is my Delaware report due?

Enter the first day of paid work to get the due date (with a calendar reminder), check whether a returning worker counts as a rehire, or fill in a Delaware report worksheet and download it as a PDF. Everything runs in your browser; employee details are never saved.

What goes on a Delaware new hire report

Federal data elements (every state)

  • Employee name
  • Employee address
  • Employee Social Security number
  • Date of hire (first day the employee performed services for pay)
  • Employer name
  • Employer address
  • Employer FEIN (same FEIN used for quarterly wage reports)

Added by Delaware

Nothing — the seven federal elements are enough.

Only in some cases: State of hire (state where the employee works) — if reporting as a multistate employer.

Requested but optional: Employee date of birth; Employee gender; Is medical insurance an employee benefit?; Employer contact name and phone number.

Most states accept a copy of the employee's Form W-4 with the employer name, address and FEIN filled in, as long as any extra Delaware fields are added. Use the same FEIN you put on your quarterly wage reports.

How Delaware compares

  • Deadline: Delaware uses the federal 20-day limit, like 41 other states and DC. 9 states are stricter, with 7, 10, 14 and 15-day deadlines.
  • Contractors: 17 states require contractor reports (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia); Delaware only requires it of government agencies.
  • Rehires: Uses the federal rule: report a returning worker who was gone at least 60 consecutive days.
  • Multistate employers can instead report every new hire electronically to a single state where they have employees after registering with HHS (Multistate Employer Registry).

Related for Delaware employers: Delaware payroll taxes & SUTA rate · Delaware payday & final paycheck rules · Delaware minimum wage · payroll setup checklist

Delaware new hire reporting FAQ

How long do I have to report a new hire in Delaware?

Within 20 days after an employee is hired, rehired or returns to work. That matches the federal 20-day limit. Employers that report electronically may instead send twice-monthly transmissions 12 to 16 days apart. The date of hire is the first day the employee performs services for pay. The state's source doesn't say business or calendar days, so count calendar days to be safe.

Do I have to report independent contractors in Delaware?

Governmental agencies must report independent contractors they hire; all other employers may report them if they choose.

Do I need to report rehired employees in Delaware?

Report rehires separated for at least 60 consecutive days.

What information goes on a Delaware new hire report?

Every report needs the seven federal data elements: the employee's name, address, Social Security number and date of hire, and the employer's name, address and FEIN. Delaware doesn't require anything beyond those seven. Only in some cases: State of hire (state where the employee works) — if reporting as a multistate employer.

How do I report a new hire in Delaware?

Accepted methods: Online; File upload / SFTP; Fax; Mail. Reports go to the Delaware State Directory of New Hires.

What is the penalty for not reporting a new hire in Delaware?

$25 per failure to report; $500 if employer and employee conspire (30 Del. C. § 1156A(d)). Federal law caps state penalties at $25 per unreported employee, or $500 when the employer and employee conspire not to report or to file a false report. A late report is still required.

I have employees in Delaware and other states. Where do I report?

Report each employee to the state where they work, following that state's rules, or register with HHS as a multistate employer and send all new hire reports electronically to one state where you have employees. Multistate employers that pick Delaware follow Delaware's rules for everyone and must include each employee's state of hire.

Official Sources

Figures checked against these sources on 2026-10-12

Related Resources on This Site

New hire reporting in other states

ALAKAZARCACOCTDCFLGAHIIDILINIAKSKYLAMEMDMAMIMNMSMOMTNENVNHNJNMNYNCNDOHOKORPARISCSDTNTXUTVTVAWAWVWIWY

All states on one map and table, plus territories →

General information, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the Delaware State Directory of New Hires before relying on them.