Non-Resident permit · DE → SD
Is a Delaware Non-Resident Permit Valid in South Dakota?
You can't get this permit: Delaware doesn't offer one 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)). Check your own state's permit against South Dakota's recognition rules instead.
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)).
Official Firearm Handbook: 'The state of South Dakota recognizes any valid concealed pistol permit issued to a nonresident of South Dakota, according to the terms of its issuance in the state of its issue' — any state's permit qualifies as long as the holder is not a South Dakota resident (SD residents simply carry permitless).
The permit (Delaware)
- Permit
- License to Carry a Concealed Deadly Weapon (CCDW)
- Issued by
- Superior Court of the applicant's county of residence (application filed with the Prothonotary; Delaware DOJ reviews)
- Issue policy
- May-issue
- Issued to non-residents?
- No — 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).
The destination (South Dakota)
- Recognition policy
- Honors permits from all states
- Permitless carry
- Yes (18+)
- Duty to inform
- No (present permit on demand)
- Magazine limit
- No state limit
Carry rules in South Dakota
Your Delaware habits may not match South Dakota's law. Check these three areas before you carry there.
- No duty-to-inform provision appears in the Secretary of State's official Firearm Handbook or in SDCL chapter 23-7.
- South Dakota sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
- South Dakota allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
- Permitless concealed carry under SDCL 23-7-7 applies statewide, including in vehicles, for residents and non-residents 18+ who may lawfully possess a pistol.
Off-limits places in South Dakota
- County courthouses (SDCL 22-14-23)
- The state capitol (SDCL 22-14-23; limited enhanced-permit exceptions)
- Elementary and secondary schools (SDCL 13-32-7)
Frequently asked questions
- Is a Delaware non-resident permit valid in South Dakota?
- You can't get this permit: Delaware doesn't offer one 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)). Check your own state's permit against South Dakota's recognition rules instead.
- Do I have to tell police in South Dakota that I am carrying?
- No duty-to-inform provision appears in the Secretary of State's official Firearm Handbook or in SDCL chapter 23-7.
- Does South Dakota limit magazine capacity?
- South Dakota sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
- Can I carry in South Dakota without any permit?
- South Dakota allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
- 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.
Official sources
- South Dakota Secretary of State — Concealed Carry Reciprocity — accessed 2026-08-08
- South Dakota Secretary of State — South Dakota Firearm Handbook (July 2025) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Delaware DOJ (Attorney General) - Concealed Carry Deadly Weapons (CCDW) and reciprocity list — accessed 2026-08-08
- 11 Del. C. c.5 subch. VII - 1441 (license), 1442 (carrying concealed), 1457/1457A (safe zones), 1468-1469 (large-capacity magazines) — accessed 2026-08-08
- 1 Del. C. 701 - Age of majority (definition of 'full age' = 18) — accessed 2026-08-08