Is a Delaware Non-Resident Permit Valid in Florida?

Why

• Delaware does not issue carry permits to non-residents (no standard non-resident license. the attorney general may issue a temporary 30-day license to a non-resident with a short-term, employment-related need to carry (11 del. c. 1441(k); maximum 3 such licenses)).

s. 790.015 (as amended by ch. 2023-18) recognizes a valid concealed carry license from ANY state provided it was 'issued to the nonresident in his or her state of residence' and the holder is 21+ (18+ if servicemember or honorably discharged veteran) - no reciprocal agreement required, but non-resident permits (license state != residence state) do not qualify; such holders may still carry permitless if eligible. A holder who establishes Florida residency keeps recognition for 90 days only. FDACS still publishes a legacy mutual-agreement list, but the statute controls.

Carry rules in Florida

Recognition is only half the question. Once you're inside Florida, its carry rules apply to you exactly as they do to locals.

• No proactive duty. Licensees must carry the license plus valid ID and display both upon demand by a law enforcement officer (s. 790.06(1)); permitless carriers must carry and display valid ID on demand (s. 790.013) - violation is a $25 civil penalty.
• Florida sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Florida allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• A person eligible under s. 790.01 (or licensed) may carry a loaded concealed handgun on their person in a vehicle; independently, anyone 18+ in lawful possession may keep a handgun in a private conveyance if it is securely encased or not readily accessible for immediate use (s. 790.25(4)).

Off-limits places in Florida

Florida bans carry in 6 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• Police, sheriff or highway patrol stations
• Detention facilities, prisons and jails

See all 6 places you can't carry in Florida →

Delaware vs Florida: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Delaware into Florida changes 3 rules: permitless carry (No → Yes (21+)); magazine limit (17 rounds → None); out-of-state permits honored (21 states → All (resident permits only)).

Going the other way, a Florida non-resident permit in Delaware: recognized — carry with your permit.

Driving on from Florida

How a Delaware non-resident permit fares in the states bordering Florida:

• Alabama — No such permit issued
• Georgia — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Florida honor a Delaware resident permit?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. That differs from the non-resident permit on this page, because Florida treats the two permit types differently.

Can a Florida non-resident permit holder carry in Delaware?

Recognized — carry with your permit. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on Delaware's law, not Florida's.

Does Delaware issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Delaware issues carry permits to residents only (no standard non-resident license. The Attorney General may issue a temporary 30-day license to a non-resident with a short-term, employment-related need to carry (11 Del. C. 1441(k); maximum 3 such licenses)). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.