The Delaware Captive Insurance Company Application (Form A-1) is the official Certificate of Authority request that any business wanting to license a captive insurer in Delaware must file with the Delaware Department of Insurance, Bureau of Captive & Financial Products. A captive is an insurance company a business owns to insure its own risks, and Form A-1 is the front door to creating one in the most active U.S. captive domicile.
This form turns a business plan into a licensed insurer, and a single missing piece, like the actuarial feasibility study or proof of capital, can stall your approval or send your file to an outside actuary at your own cost. Delaware licenses hundreds of captives and oversees thousands of entities, and the state is known for issuing a Conditional Certificate of Authority on the same day a clean application arrives, so getting every field right truly speeds your launch.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- ✅ Exactly what each numbered field on Form A-1 asks and how to answer it.
- 💰 The real fees, minimum capital rules, and where to mail your check.
- 📋 The full list of attachments you must gather before you start.
- 🧩 Three complete filled-out examples using real-world captive scenarios.
- ⚠️ The field-level mistakes that get applications delayed or rejected.
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Form A-1 is the Application for Certificate of Authority for a captive insurance company in Delaware, and you can download it directly from the Captive Insurance Program website. The version in current use carries a 2019 revision, so check the footer of your copy to confirm you have the right one before you type a single answer. The form runs five pages, and it ends with two signature blocks: one for the owner and one for the captive manager.
Any person or business that wants to form a Delaware captive must file this form. That includes a single company forming a pure (single-parent) captive, a trade group forming an association captive, and sponsors building sponsored or series cell structures. The law behind the form is 18 Del. C. Chapter 69, the Captive Insurance Companies statute that grants the Insurance Commissioner power to license and regulate these insurers.
In practice, the captive manager prepares and submits Form A-1 on behalf of the owner, because the manager knows the documents the Bureau expects. The owner still signs the application to attest the facts are true. If you skip the captive manager step, the Bureau will treat the file as incomplete, because Delaware requires a licensed manager for every captive.
The form solves a clear problem: it lets a business stop renting risk transfer from commercial carriers and start funding its own losses through a regulated insurer it controls. Get it right and you gain a licensed insurer with tax and cash-flow benefits. Get it wrong and you face delays, extra actuarial review fees, or a denial.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Open Form A-1 only after you gather your supporting file, because the application and its attachments travel together. The Bureau will not issue a license until the full package is in hand, and a missing item is the most common reason a clean approval slips by weeks. Use this pre-filing checklist drawn from the official Regular Application Checklist.
- Strategic Business Plan with organizational chart. This shows the Bureau how the captive will operate and who controls it; without it, reviewers cannot judge feasibility and will pause the file.
- Articles of Incorporation, LLC Agreement, or Certificate of Formation. These prove the entity legally exists; a captive cannot be licensed before it is formed.
- By-Laws. These set the internal rules of the company; missing By-Laws signal an unfinished governance structure.
- Designation for Receipt of Service of Process. This names who accepts legal papers for the captive; without it, the state has no lawful way to serve the company.
- Most recent Audited Financial Statements for each 10%+ owner. These prove the owner can fund the captive; if none exist, you supply an income statement and balance sheet instead.
- Draft Investment Policy. This shows how the captive will hold and grow its money; reviewers check it against the capital you list.
- Captive Manager Agreement. This confirms a licensed manager is engaged; Delaware will not license a captive without one.
- Actuarial Feasibility Study with 5-year expected and adverse proformas. This is the financial heart of the file; it may follow within 10 days, but the license waits until it arrives.
- Biographical Affidavits (Form B-1) for owners, officers, and directors. These let the Bureau run background checks; a missing affidavit halts the file.
- Your EIN and date of formation. You need the federal tax number and the exact formation date to complete the top of the form.
Collect proof of your capital and surplus too, whether that is a bank letter of credit, cash, or NAIC-approved mutual funds. If you plan to fund with a letter of credit, get the issuing bank’s name in writing now, because the form asks for it by name.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
Delaware hosts every captive form on one page, the List of Forms on the Captive Insurance Program site. Form A-1 is the regular Application for Certificate of Authority, and you download it as a fillable PDF. There is no online portal that replaces the PDF; you complete the document and email a scan, then mail signed originals.
Before you start typing, read the Application Process page, which stresses that communication with the Bureau is the first step. Delaware encourages you to bring your captive idea to the team early, often through a pre-application call, so the Bureau can flag issues before you file. This is unusual among regulators and it is one reason Delaware approves files fast.
You complete the form on a computer using the PDF fields, since handwritten applications invite errors and slow review. Save a clean master copy before you fill anything in, so you can start over if a draft gets messy. Keep the file named clearly, for example CompanyName_FormA1_2026, so the Bureau can match it to your other documents.
If you are forming an association, sponsored, or special purpose captive rather than a pure captive, confirm with the Bureau whether a companion form applies to your structure. The core Certificate of Authority request still runs through Form A-1, but cell and group structures carry extra schedules. Email captive@delaware.gov or call 302.577.5280 to confirm the exact set for your type.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form A-1 Line by Line
Work through the form in order, because each numbered field builds on the one before it. The fields below use the exact labels printed on the official Form A-1. Sample entries appear in italics so you can tell them apart from instructions.
Field 1: Name of Proposed Captive
This field asks for the full legal name your captive insurer will use. Enter the exact name shown on your Articles of Incorporation or Certificate of Formation, including any suffix like Insurance Company or LLC. For example, Riverbend Risk Insurance Company writes its name in full, with no abbreviations.
A common edge case is a name that includes the word “insurance” when your home state restricts that word; Delaware allows it for licensed captives, so this is rarely a problem here. The most frequent mistake is entering a trade name or a name that does not match the formation document, which forces the Bureau to reject the file because the entity on the form does not legally exist. People often think the name can be changed informally later, but any name change is a material change you must report to the Commissioner within 30 days.
Field 2: Indicate Type of Proposed Captive
This field asks you to check the box for your captive’s legal type from the list: Pure, Association, Risk Retention Group, Industrial Insured, Sponsored, Agency, Branch, Special Purpose, or Special Purpose Financial. Check one box that matches the structure described in your business plan. A manufacturer insuring only its own risks checks Pure, while a trade group of independent members checks Association.
The key edge case is a cell structure: a sponsored captive that rents protected cells checks Sponsored, not Pure. The most common mistake is checking Pure when the captive will insure unrelated third parties, which is not allowed for a pure captive and will trigger a rejection or a forced restructure. Many filers wrongly believe the type is just a label, but it controls your minimum capital, your allowed business, and the rest of the review, so it must be exact.
Field 3: Form of Organization
This field asks for the legal form of your company: Stock, Nonstock, Statutory Trust, Mutual, LLC, Partnership, LP, or Other. Check the box that matches your formation document, and if you choose Other, write the form on the blank line. For instance, Riverbend Risk Insurance Company checks Stock because it issued shares to a single corporate parent.
An edge case is the Delaware Statutory Trust, a popular vehicle for series captives, which has its own box and its own trust documents. The most common mistake is a mismatch between this box and your Articles or Certificate of Formation, which makes the file internally inconsistent and forces a do-over. Filers often assume the organization form does not matter for taxes, but it shapes how the captive is taxed and governed, so pick it with your attorney.
Field 4: Date of Formation and EIN
This field asks for the exact date your entity was legally formed and its federal Employer Identification Number. Enter the date in month, day, year order, and type the nine-digit EIN with the standard dash, such as 12-3456789. A captive formed on March 3, 2026, writes 03/03/2026 and its EIN beside it.
A frequent edge case is applying before the EIN arrives from the IRS; you should secure the EIN first, because the Bureau cross-references it. The most common mistake is entering the intended formation date instead of the actual date on the Certificate of Formation, which creates a conflict with your attached documents and delays review. People often think a captive can be licensed before it is legally formed, but the entity must exist first, so the date here must be real and in the past.
Field 5: List All Lines of Insurance Coverage
This field asks you to list every line of insurance the captive will write, such as general liability, property, workers’ compensation deductible reimbursement, or warranty. Write each line plainly, matching the coverages modeled in your feasibility study. For example, Riverbend lists general liability, property, and product warranty.
The edge case is enterprise risk or “difference in conditions” coverage that has no standard name; describe it clearly so the actuary can price it. The most common mistake is listing lines that do not appear in your actuarial study, which makes the numbers unsupported and sends the file to extra review. Filers sometimes believe they can add new lines later without notice, but new coverage is a material change you must report to the Commissioner within 30 days.
Field 6: Name(s) of Owner(s) With 10% or Greater Interest
This field asks for every owner holding 10% or more of the captive, plus each one’s percentage of ownership. List each owner’s legal name and the exact percentage, and if an owner is a trust, name the trustees. A single-parent captive enters its one corporate parent, such as Riverbend Holdings, Inc. — 100%.
The edge case is layered ownership, where a holding company owns the captive and individuals own the holding company; name the direct 10%+ owners and explain the chain in Field 7. The most common mistake is omitting an owner who sits just above the 10% line, which the Bureau treats as a disclosure failure and a reason to halt the file. People often assume small minority owners can be left off, but the 10% threshold is a hard rule tied to the background-check requirement.
Field 7: Explain Relationship Among Owners
This field asks you to describe how the owners relate to one another, in plain words. Explain whether they are a parent and subsidiary, members of the same trade association, or unrelated investors in a cell. For example, the sole owner is the captive’s corporate parent and operating company.
An edge case is an association captive where dozens of members each own a slice; summarize the membership structure rather than listing every name twice. The most common mistake is leaving this field blank because the relationship seems obvious, which leaves a gap reviewers must chase down. Filers often think this is a formality, but the Bureau uses it to confirm the captive’s risk pool is legitimate and not a disguised arrangement to insure strangers.
Field 8: Owner Biographical Affidavits and Financials
This field directs you to mail the original completed Biographical Affidavits (Form B-1) and to send the most recent audited financial statements for the owners named in Field 6. If audited statements do not exist, you provide an income statement with a balance sheet instead. A privately held parent without an audit sends its internal year-end balance sheet and income statement.
The edge case is a brand-new holding company with no operating history; supply opening financials and the parent’s statements that stand behind it. The most common mistake is sending unsigned or notarized-but-stale affidavits, which fail the background-check step and freeze the file. People often think a credit report can replace the affidavit, but Form B-1 is mandatory and cannot be swapped for anything else.
Field 9: Contact Individual for This Application
This field asks for the name, address, telephone, and email of the person the Bureau should contact about the application. Enter the captive manager or attorney who can answer questions quickly, since this is the line reviewers will call. For example, Dana Cole, Cole Captive Management, dana@colecaptive.com, 302-555-0184.
The edge case is a large project with several advisors; name one primary contact to avoid mixed messages. The most common mistake is listing a busy executive who cannot respond fast, which slows the back-and-forth and pushes your approval date out. Filers sometimes believe any email will do, but the Bureau sends time-sensitive requests here, so it must reach a person who checks it daily.
Field 10: Officers and Directors of the Proposed Captive
This field asks for the named Chairman or Managing Member, President, Vice President(s), Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Directors or Members, and the Delaware Resident Director. Fill each role with a real person’s full legal name. Delaware requires at least one resident director, so Mark Ellis, Wilmington, DE fills the Delaware Resident Director line.
The edge case is an LLC managed by members rather than officers; use the Managing Member line and list members under Directors/Members. The most common mistake is leaving the Delaware Resident Director blank, which violates the state’s governance rule and stops the license. People often think they can name the resident director later, but Delaware wants this in place at filing because residency anchors the captive to the state.
Field 11: Delaware Statutory Home Address for Books and Records
This field asks for the Delaware address where the captive will keep its books and records. Enter a real Delaware street address, usually the captive manager’s office, because the records must be reachable in-state. For example, 503 Carr Road, Suite 303, Wilmington, DE 19809 style addresses are common manager locations.
The edge case is a captive whose records are stored digitally; you still list a physical Delaware address where the Bureau can access them on request. The most common mistake is entering an out-of-state head office address, which breaks the in-state recordkeeping rule and invites a deficiency notice. Filers often assume a registered agent address is enough, but the books-and-records address and the registered agent address serve different legal purposes.
Field 12: Jurisdiction(s) Where Majority of Risks Are Located
This field asks where most of the risks the captive insures are physically located. List the states or countries where the parent’s exposures sit, such as Texas, Ohio, and California. This helps the Bureau understand the captive’s regulatory footprint.
The edge case is global exposure across many countries; name the top jurisdictions by exposure rather than every minor one. The most common mistake is naming Delaware just because the captive is domiciled there, which is wrong when the actual risks sit elsewhere and confuses the risk profile. People often think the domicile state is the answer, but this field is about where the insured risks live, not where the captive is licensed.
Field 13: Total Capital and Surplus of the Company
This field asks for the captive’s total capital and surplus, broken into three parts: Letter of Credit (with the issuing bank named), Cash, and Mutual Funds on the NAIC Approved List. Enter dollar amounts for each part so they sum to your total. A pure captive might list $250,000 in cash to meet the statutory floor.
By statute, a pure captive must hold at least $250,000, and association captives must hold more under 18 Del. C. § 6905. The form warns that your initial capital and surplus becomes the required minimum you must hold at all times, so do not list more than you intend to keep. The most common mistake is funding below the statutory minimum for your captive type, which is an automatic bar to licensing. Filers often believe they can drop capital after approval, but the amount here sets a permanent floor, and falling below it is a violation.
Fields 14–21: Required Service Providers
These fields ask for the name, address, telephone, and email of your captive’s professional team: the Authorized Captive Manager (14), Certified Public Accountant (15), Actuary (16), Attorney (17), Registered Agent (18), Underwriter (19), Third Party Administrator (20), and Reinsurance Broker/Intermediary (21). Fill in each provider you have engaged, and confirm the captive manager and registered agent are properly licensed in Delaware. For example, Field 14 might read Cole Captive Management, Wilmington, DE.
The edge case is a small captive that has no underwriter or TPA because it self-administers; write not applicable rather than leaving the box empty, so the Bureau knows you did not forget it. The most common mistake is naming a captive manager who is not authorized in Delaware, which fails the licensing requirement and stops the file cold. People often think these providers are optional suggestions, but the manager, CPA, and actuary are core to a captive’s regulated operation and the Bureau checks each one.
Field 22: Person Preparing the Annual Report
This field asks for the name and title of the person who will prepare the captive’s annual report. Enter the accountant or manager responsible, such as Dana Cole, Captive Manager. This tells the Bureau who is accountable for ongoing financial reporting.
The edge case is outsourcing the annual report to a separate accounting firm; name that firm’s lead person rather than an internal employee. The most common mistake is leaving this blank because the first report is far off, which the Bureau still reads as an incomplete file. Filers often assume the annual report can be sorted out after licensing, but naming the preparer now signals you understand the captive’s continuing duties.
Page 4: Owner Certification and Attachment Checklist
Page 4 holds the owner’s sworn certification that the information is true and a promise to report any material change within 30 days. The owner signs and dates here, prints a name, and lists a title, such as President. Below the signature sits the attachment checklist the captive manager completes, covering the Business Plan, Articles, By-Laws, designations, financials, Investment Policy, Policy Library, Captive Manager Agreement, and Actuarial Feasibility Study.
The edge case is the feasibility study that is not ready at filing; the form allows it to follow within 10 days, so check that box and note the date. The most common mistake is an unsigned owner certification, which makes the entire application invalid no matter how complete the rest is. People often think the captive manager can sign for the owner here, but the owner must personally attest, because this is a legal certification of truth.
Page 5: Captive Manager Certification
Page 5 carries the captive manager’s certification that all information and estimates are true and based on carefully assessed facts, plus the same 30-day material-change promise. The manager prints a name, signs, and dates the page. This page also warns that the Department may send the application to an independent actuary, and the applicant pays that review cost within 30 days of the invoice.
The edge case is a co-managed captive; the lead authorized manager signs, since the Bureau needs one accountable signature. The most common mistake is a missing manager signature, which leaves the file half-certified and unprocessable. Filers often believe the outside-actuary clause is rarely used, but the Department does invoke it when numbers look thin, so build that possible cost into your budget.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three common captive scenarios, each following one filer through the key fields of Form A-1. Use them as patterns for your own answers.
Scenario 1: Maria’s Single-Parent Pure Captive
Maria Lopez runs a regional logistics company and forms a pure captive to insure its trucking deductibles and property.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| 1. Name of proposed captive | Riverbend Risk Insurance Company |
| 2. Type of captive | Pure |
| 3. Form of organization | Stock |
| 4. Date of formation / EIN | 03/03/2026 / 12-3456789 |
| 5. Lines of coverage | General liability, property, auto deductible reimbursement |
| 6. Owners 10%+ | Riverbend Holdings, Inc. — 100% |
| 10. Delaware Resident Director | Mark Ellis, Wilmington, DE |
| 13. Capital & Surplus | $250,000 cash |
| 14. Captive Manager | Cole Captive Management, Wilmington, DE |
Scenario 2: Carlos’s Association Captive
Carlos Mendes leads a trade association forming an association captive so members can share liability coverage.
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| 1. Name of proposed captive | Allied Trades Mutual Insurance Company |
| 2. Type of captive | Association |
| 3. Form of organization | Nonstock |
| 5. Lines of coverage | General and professional liability |
| 6. Owners 10%+ | Allied Trades Association — 100% |
| 7. Relationship among owners | Members of the same national trade association |
| 10. Officers and Directors | Carlos Mendes, President; plus member directors |
| 12. Risk jurisdictions | Florida, Georgia, Texas |
| 13. Capital & Surplus | $750,000 cash |
Scenario 3: Janet’s Sponsored Cell Captive
Janet Price sponsors a cell facility, and a tenant company rents a protected cell to insure warranty risk.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| 1. Name of proposed captive | Keystone Sponsored Captive, Inc. |
| 2. Type of captive | Sponsored |
| 3. Form of organization | Stock |
| 5. Lines of coverage | Product warranty |
| 6. Owners 10%+ | Keystone Capital, Inc. — 100% of core |
| 7. Relationship among owners | Sponsor owns the core; tenants own cell shares |
| 11. Delaware home address | Manager’s office, Wilmington, DE |
| 14. Captive Manager | Keystone Captive Services |
| 16. Actuary | Northstar Actuarial LLC |
How to File the Completed Form
Delaware uses a mixed filing method: you email a scan first, then mail signed originals and your fee check. Follow each channel exactly so your file is complete on arrival.
- Email the scan. Send a scan of the full completed application to captive@delaware.gov. This starts the review while your paper copies travel. Keep the sent email as your proof of submission.
- Mail the fee check and a copy. Mail the application fee check plus a copy of the completed application to the Dover office: Delaware Department of Insurance, Bureau of Captive & Financial Products, 1351 West North Street, Suite 101, Dover, DE 19904. The fees are a $300 application fee and a $3,200 processing fee.
- Mail the originals and affidavits. Mail the original signed application and the original Biographical Affidavits (Form B-1) to the Captive Bureau: Delaware Department of Insurance, Bureau of Captive & Financial Products, 503 Carr Road, Suite 303, Wilmington, DE 19809.
Pay the fees by check made out to the State of Delaware, and confirm the current total with the Bureau, since some reports describe a combined application and conditional license cost near $3,600 for the fast-track route described by Captive International. Keep copies of every page, the check, and the mailing receipts as your proof of filing. Processing for a clean file can be quick, and Delaware is known for issuing a Conditional Certificate of Authority the same day a complete application lands.
If you have questions about which office gets which document, call the Bureau at 302.577.5280 before you mail. Sending the wrong paper to the wrong address is a frequent cause of delay. The Dover office handles money, and the Wilmington Captive Bureau handles originals and affidavits.
What Happens After You File
After the Bureau receives your package, a reviewer checks it for completeness and consistency, matching the form against your attachments. If the file is clean and the feasibility numbers hold up, Delaware can issue a Conditional Certificate of Authority quickly, often the same day, letting your captive begin operating while final items are confirmed. This speed is a major reason businesses choose Delaware.
If something is missing or the numbers look thin, the Bureau sends a deficiency notice or refers the file to an independent actuary. The form expressly reserves the Department’s right to do this, and you pay the actuary’s invoice within 30 days. A referral does not mean denial, but it adds time and cost.
Once all conditions are met, the conditional certificate converts to a full Certificate of Authority, and your captive is a licensed Delaware insurer. From that point you owe ongoing duties: annual reports, audited financials, and prompt notice of any material change within 30 days. Missing these duties can put your license at risk.
Keep your provider team engaged after licensing, because the captive must maintain its manager, CPA, and actuary relationships. The Bureau treats the captive as a living regulated entity, not a one-time filing. Plan for the first annual report and renewal cycle as soon as you are approved.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Using a name that does not match the formation documents. The entity on the form will not legally exist, and the Bureau rejects the file.
- Checking the wrong captive type in Field 2. It sets the wrong capital and business rules, forcing a costly restructure.
- Funding below the statutory minimum in Field 13. A pure captive under $250,000 cannot be licensed at all.
- Leaving the Delaware Resident Director blank in Field 10. This breaks a state governance rule and stops the license.
- Listing coverage lines not modeled in the feasibility study. The numbers become unsupported and trigger extra actuarial review.
- Omitting a 10%+ owner in Field 6. The Bureau treats it as a disclosure failure and halts processing.
- Submitting unsigned or stale Biographical Affidavits. The background-check step fails and the file freezes.
- Forgetting the owner’s signature on Page 4. The certification is void and the whole application is invalid.
- Skipping the captive manager’s signature on Page 5. The file is only half-certified and cannot be processed.
- Mailing documents to the wrong office. Money goes to Dover and originals go to Wilmington, and mixing them causes delay.
- Naming a captive manager not authorized in Delaware. The licensing requirement fails and review stops.
- Ignoring the outside-actuary cost clause. An unexpected invoice arrives and must be paid within 30 days.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Do call the Bureau before you file, since Delaware invites pre-application talks that catch problems early.
- Do use the exact field labels and your real formation date, because consistency speeds review.
- Do gather every checklist attachment before you start, so the package arrives complete.
- Do confirm your captive manager and registered agent are authorized in Delaware, because the Bureau verifies both.
- Do keep copies and mailing receipts, since they are your proof of filing.
- Do budget for a possible independent actuary fee, because the Department can require one.
Don’t:
- Don’t fund below your captive type’s statutory minimum, because it bars licensing outright.
- Don’t leave fields blank when the answer is “not applicable,” since blanks read as forgotten.
- Don’t list coverage that your actuarial study does not support, because it invites extra review.
- Don’t send all documents to one office, since fees and originals go to different addresses.
- Don’t let a non-owner sign the owner certification, because only the owner can attest.
- Don’t assume changes are informal, since material changes must be reported within 30 days.
Pros and Cons of Filing With a Captive Manager vs. Solo
Delaware requires a licensed captive manager, so the real choice is how much you lean on professional help versus handling the paperwork in-house.
| Filing With a Captive Manager | Filing Mostly Solo |
|---|---|
| Pro: The manager knows the exact attachment set, reducing rejections. | Pro: You save some advisory fees on document prep. |
| Pro: The manager signs Page 5 and owns the accuracy duty. | Pro: You keep tighter direct control over each entry. |
| Pro: Faster path to a same-day Conditional Certificate. | Pro: You learn the process deeply for future filings. |
| Pro: The manager handles ongoing reports and renewals. | Pro: Fewer outside parties to coordinate at filing. |
| Pro: Errors are caught before the Bureau sees them. | Pro: You control the timeline without a third party. |
| Con: Management fees add to your annual cost. | Con: Delaware still requires a licensed manager anyway. |
| Con: You depend on the manager’s responsiveness. | Con: Missing one attachment can stall the whole file. |
| Con: Less hands-on learning of the process. | Con: Mistakes risk extra actuary fees or rejection. |
| Con: Coordination adds a layer to communication. | Con: You carry more of the compliance burden alone. |
| Con: You must vet the manager’s Delaware authorization. | Con: Ongoing reporting duties fall heavily on you. |
FAQs
Is the captive manager required to sign the application?
Yes. The captive manager certifies on Page 5 that all information and estimates are true, and the owner separately signs Page 4, so both signatures are mandatory.
Do I check “Pure” if my captive insures only my own company?
Yes. A single-parent captive insuring only its owner’s risks is a pure captive, so you check the Pure box in Field 2.
Is $250,000 enough capital for a pure captive?
Yes. Under 18 Del. C. § 6905 a pure captive’s statutory minimum capital and surplus is $250,000, though your feasibility study may call for more.
Do I write the intended formation date or the actual date in Field 4?
No. You never use the intended date; enter the actual formation date printed on your Certificate of Formation, since the Bureau cross-checks it.
Can the owner’s affidavit replace a Biographical Affidavit?
No. Form B-1 Biographical Affidavits are required for owners, officers, and directors, and nothing else can be substituted for them.
Do I need a Delaware Resident Director at filing?
Yes. Delaware requires a resident director named in Field 10 at the time you file, not added later after the license issues.
Is the actuarial feasibility study due with the application?
No. It may follow within 10 days of filing, but the license will not issue until the Bureau receives it.
Do fees and original documents go to the same address?
No. The fee check and a copy go to the Dover office, while original applications and affidavits go to the Wilmington Captive Bureau.
Can I change my coverage lines after approval without telling the state?
No. New lines are a material change you must report to the Commissioner within 30 days, just like any other material change.
Is a same-day Certificate of Authority really possible?
Yes. Delaware is known for issuing a Conditional Certificate of Authority the same day a complete, clean application arrives.
Do I list Delaware in Field 12 because my captive is domiciled there?
No. Field 12 asks where the insured risks are located, not where the captive is licensed, so list the states where exposures sit.
Will the Department ever send my application to an outside actuary?
Yes. The form reserves that right, and if it happens you must pay the review firm’s invoice within 30 days of receiving it.
Can I leave service-provider boxes blank if I have none?
No. Write not applicable instead of leaving Fields 14 through 21 blank, so the Bureau knows you did not simply forget them.
Is an EIN required before I file?
Yes. You should secure your federal EIN first and enter it in Field 4, because the Bureau cross-references the number during review.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out the Association Captive Application (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the DC Captive Insurance Company Application + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Hawaii Captive Insurance Company Application + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Montana Captive Insurance Company Application + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Pure Captive Insurance Application (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Maryland Captive Insurance Application + FAQs