Delaware Teacher Transcript Submission Requirements

Why Transcripts Must Be Sent Directly

Delaware's Department of Education does not accept transcripts that you upload or email yourself. Official transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing university's registrar electronically, or forwarded unopened by mail in an institution-sealed envelope. This policy exists to prevent credential fraud, and the DDOE enforces it strictly — applicant-uploaded transcripts result in an immediate deficiency flag on your DEEDS dashboard.

There are two accepted delivery methods:

• Electronic transfer directly from the registrar to [email protected] (or through a secure network like eScrip-Safe)
• Paper mail in an unopened, institution-sealed envelope forwarded to the DDOE

If your university offers electronic transcript services through a vendor like Parchment or the National Student Clearinghouse, electronic delivery is faster and eliminates the risk of a sealed envelope being damaged in transit.

What Else the DDOE Needs Beyond Transcripts

A transcript alone does not complete your DEEDS application. The full document set depends on your pathway, but here is what most applicants need:

Depending on your pathway:

• Official transcripts for all degrees and coursework (sent directly by each registrar)
• Applicable Praxis or ACTFL test scores routed electronically using the designated testing provider and Delaware's recipient code R7065 when applicable
• Criminal background check (SBI/FBI fingerprinting through IdentoGO)
• Child Protection Registry clearance through DSCYF
• $100 application fee (credit card only — debit cards are not accepted by the state payment gateway)

Out-of-state reciprocity applicants also need:

• Form E (Verification of Teaching Experience) — sent directly from your former district, not by you
• A copy of your current out-of-state teaching license

ARTC (alternative route) candidates also need:

• ARTC program welcome letter (submitted by your program provider, not by you)
• Verification of at least 24 content-area credits on your transcript

Performance assessment candidates (traditional route):

• edTPA or PPAT scores — routed automatically from the assessment vendor to the DDOE

Common Transcript Submission Mistakes

Sending transcripts from multiple institutions at different times. If you attended three colleges, all three transcripts need to arrive. DDOE will not begin reviewing your file until every transcript is received. Order them all on the same day to minimize gaps.

Forgetting graduate transcripts. If you completed any graduate coursework that you want counted toward content-area credit requirements (especially for ARTC candidates needing 24 credits), you need official transcripts from those institutions too.

Using unofficial copies. "Student copies," screenshots of online grade portals, and transcripts marked "issued to student" are all rejected.

Sending to the wrong address. Transcripts must go to [email protected] for electronic delivery. Some registrar systems default to a general DDOE address — confirm the email before placing the order.

Timeline Expectations

Allow one to three weeks for document submission, depending on registrar processing and delivery. Once all documents are in, DDOE review takes two to six weeks, with longer wait times during the June-through-September hiring season.

For a full walkthrough of every document, the order to submit them, and what to do when your DEEDS dashboard shows a deficiency, the Delaware Teacher Certification Guide covers the complete process.

See more Delaware guides →