How do I register my phone number on the Delaware Do Not Call list?

Register on the federal National DNC Registry at donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. Registration is free and permanent. Delaware relies on the federal list for consumer registration.

Is the Delaware Do Not Call registry free?

Yes. Consumer registration on the federal National DNC Registry is free. There is no state registry fee in Delaware because the state uses the federal list.

Does the Delaware DNC list cover cell phones?

Yes. Cell phones are covered. The federal registry has accepted cell phone numbers since inception. You can register any personal number — landline or wireless — to block telemarketing calls.

Does it cover text messages?

Telemarketing text messages are restricted under the TCPA whether or not your number is on the DNC list. Registration on the DNC list adds an additional layer of liability for any telemarketer who texts you.

What is the penalty for calling a registered Delaware number?

Federal TCPA: $500 per call ($1,500 willful). FTC TSR penalties up to $51,744 per call. Delaware state penalty: $10,000 per call (state attorney general enforces).

What do I do when telemarketers call after I registered?

Three steps. (1) Tell the caller to put you on their internal do-not-call list — that triggers a separate 30-day cure obligation. (2) File a complaint at donotcall.gov. (3) Document the call (date, time, number, company, what was offered). Forward complaints to the Delaware attorney general's consumer protection office.

Is registration permanent?

Yes. Federal registration is permanent — once your number is on the list, it stays until you remove it or disconnect the line.

Home / States / Delaware

Delaware Telecom Compliance Guide

Q: Does Delaware have a state Do Not Call list?

No. Delaware does not maintain a separate state Do Not Call list. The federal National DNC Registry at donotcall.gov is the registry that covers Delaware residents. Telemarketers calling into Delaware must scrub against the federal registry every 31 days.

Telecom Compliance Reference — Updated 2025

TCPA Standard

Calling Hours

8:00 AM–9:00 PM

Min Penalty

$10,000

Registration

Not Required

Overview Calling Hours Consent Registration DNC Compliance DNC Registry Enforcement Case Law Legislation

Delaware Do Not Call Registry

Delaware relies on the federal National DNC Registry. Here's how to register and what it actually does — 2026.

Delaware uses the federal registry

Delaware does not maintain a separate state Do Not Call list. The federal National DNC Registry at donotcall.gov is the registry that covers Delaware residents.

Federal registration is free and permanent. Telemarketers must scrub against the federal list every 31 days under FTC rules.

How to register your number

Federal National DNC Registry

donotcall.gov

Administered by the Federal Trade Commission. Free, permanent, covers landlines and cell phones in every state.

How long it takes effect

Federal: 31 days for telemarketers to scrub against your number. State registries vary — most align with the federal 31-day window. Reputable telemarketers stop calling within a week. Bad actors keep calling and rack up violations.

What the registry covers

Landlines

Yes

Cell phones

Yes

Text messages

Restricted under TCPA

What it blocks: Telemarketing sales calls and texts. Calls trying to sell you something.

What it does NOT block: Political calls, charitable solicitations, calls from companies you have a current business relationship with (within 18 months of last purchase / 3 months of inquiry), debt collectors, surveys, and informational calls.

Robocalls and AI voice: Already restricted by TCPA regardless of registration. Adding your number to the DNC list adds an extra layer of liability for callers.

Federal National DNC Registry — what you need to know

Registry URLtelemarketing.donotcall.gov

Consumer registrationFree, permanent

Scrub frequency requiredEvery 31 days (telemarketers)

Telemarketer costFree up to 5 area codes; $75 / 5 area codes / year above

Because Delaware does not run a separate state list, the federal registry is your one-stop registration. Add your number once, leave it there, and any telemarketer calling you in violation is exposed to TCPA damages plus FTC penalties.

What to do when telemarketers call after you registered

Tell the caller to put you on their internal do-not-call list. That triggers a separate 30-day cure obligation under federal law. If they call again after 30 days, that is an independent violation.
File a federal complaint at donotcall.gov/report. The FTC tracks these and pursues serial offenders.
Document the call. Date, time, number that called, company name, what they were selling. Screenshot or save voicemails. This is the evidence you need if you sue or file a state complaint.
File a complaint with the Delaware attorney general. Delaware state penalties are $10,000 per violation, enforced by the AG. Federal TCPA also gives you a private right of action for $500 per call. File a complaint here →

Recent Delaware DNC enforcement actions

First State Financial Services

financial_services

May 2024

$175,000 penalty

DE AG settled with financial services firm for robocall DNC violations.

Calling a registered Delaware number costs telemarketers: $10,000 per call under state law, plus $500–$1,500 per call under federal TCPA.

Running a telemarketing operation?

This page is for consumers and Delaware residents. If you operate outbound calls into Delaware, the compliance scrub workflow is documented separately.

Delaware DNC compliance for telemarketers →

Compare DNC Registry across states

Federal TCPA is the floor. Each state can — and many do — go further.

DNC Registry in FloridaFL DNC Registry in CaliforniaCA DNC Registry in TexasTX DNC Registry in New YorkNY DNC Registry in IllinoisIL DNC Registry in GeorgiaGA DNC Registry in WashingtonWA DNC Registry in OklahomaOK

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This is a compliance reference tool, not legal advice. Data compiled from public statutes, LegiScan, CourtListener, state AG offices, and AI-assisted analysis. Verify all information with qualified counsel before relying on it. Full terms & data sources →