How to File a Delaware Annual Report in 2026

What is a Delaware annual report?

A Delaware annual report is a required filing that keeps the state’s records up to date for active business entities. It confirms basic information about your company, such as leadership details and registered agent information, and ties directly into Delaware’s ongoing compliance and tax framework.

For corporations, the annual report is filed alongside franchise tax obligations and acts as a yearly check-in with the state. It’s less about reporting business activity and more about maintaining good standing. If it’s missed or filed incorrectly, it tends to cause issues down the line.

Who has to file a DE annual report

Not every Delaware business entity files an annual report. Whether you’re required to file depends entirely on your entity type.

You must file a Delaware corporation annual report if your business is a:

• Delaware corporation, including C corporations and S corporations.
• Foreign corporation registered to do business in Delaware.

You do not file a Delaware annual report if your business is a:

• Delaware LLC.
• Limited partnership (LP).
• General partnership (GP).

Entities that don’t file an annual report may still have other annual obligations with the state. Skipping an annual report isn’t the same as being exempt from compliance, which is where many businesses get tripped up.

How to file your Delaware annual report

Delaware annual reports are filed directly with the state through the Delaware Division of Corporations. There’s no paper option and no third-party filing requirement. Everything happens online.

At a high level, the process looks like this:

• Go to Delaware’s official annual report and tax filing portal.
• Look up your business using its Delaware file number or legal name.
• Review and confirm your company’s information.
• Submit the annual report and complete payment, if required.

For corporations, including C corps, the Delaware C corp annual report is filed as part of the same flow as franchise tax payment. Once submitted, your filing is recorded immediately, and your company remains in good standing with the state.

One thing to be careful of is that Delaware does not send invoices or request payment by mail. If you receive a notice asking you to file or pay through a third party, it’s worth double-checking before taking action.

Annual report due dates

Delaware annual report deadlines are consistent year to year, but they vary depending on your entity type. Missing the date is where most compliance issues start, so it’s worth being precise. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Only corporations are required to file an annual report in Delaware. If your business is an LLC, limited partnership, or general partnership, you won’t see an annual report deadline here, because you don’t file one.

Deadlines are fixed dates, not rolling windows. If you’re operating a corporation, it’s best to treat these as non-negotiable calendar items rather than something to handle when a reminder shows up. This is especially true if you’re juggling multiple filings as part of a broader compliance checklist.

Annual report filing fees

The cost to file a Delaware annual report depends on your entity type and, for domestic corporations, whether the entity is tax-exempt. Here’s a straightforward breakdown:

The annual report filing fee is separate from any franchise tax that may be due. While the report itself is relatively inexpensive, it’s only one part of Delaware’s broader compliance requirements for corporations.

For corporations, the filing fee itself is minor. Compliance issues typically come from late or missed filings.

DA annual report requirements by entity type

The table below pulls together Delaware’s annual report requirements in one place, including how filings are made, what they cost, and what happens if you miss the deadline.

How we simplify filing in Delaware

Filing a Delaware annual report isn’t hard, but it’s easy to forget, delay, or mishandle once it’s mixed in with everything else you’re running. That’s where Postal comes in.

With a virtual mailbox, your official business mail is received, scanned, and organized in one place, so compliance notices don’t get buried or missed. When something requires action, Postal makes it obvious why it matters and what to do next.

If you want to go further, Postal offers compliance support handled by experienced professionals. That means filings can be completed for you, correctly and on time, without chasing deadlines or deciphering state instructions. Additional compliance help is available at low rates, only when you need it.

Postal also provides registered agent services, so your state correspondence, service of process, and filings all stay under one roof. That means fewer tools, fewer loose ends, and a lot less mental overhead. If you’re evaluating options, this Delaware registered agent review breaks down what to look for.

Frequently asked questions about Delaware annual report filing

A few questions come up consistently when filing in Delaware. We’ve answered the most common ones below.

How do I file an annual report in Delaware?

To file an annual report in Delaware, you submit it online through the Delaware Division of Corporations. There’s no paper filing and no separate form to download. You’ll look up your business, confirm the required details, and complete the filing in the same flow as any required payment.

If you’re filing for a corporation, the annual report is handled alongside franchise tax. Once it’s submitted, the filing is recorded immediately and your company remains in good standing.

Do Delaware LLCs have to file annual reports?

No, Delaware LLCs do not file an annual report. That’s often where confusion starts, because LLCs still have recurring state obligations. The key difference is that those obligations don’t include an annual report filing, which is required only for corporations in Delaware.

How much is the annual report for an LLC in Delaware?

There isn’t an annual report fee for a Delaware LLC, because LLCs don’t file annual reports in the state. That said, LLCs do have other recurring obligations with Delaware. The annual report requirement, and its associated fee, applies only to corporations.