Delaware Marriage Records

Delaware began centralized, statewide record keeping of marriage records in 1913 when the Bureau of Vital Statistics was created. Before this, marriage records were managed and kept at the county level. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control reveals that Delaware has the 2nd lowest marriage rate in the United States, alongside Mexico. Per the data, Delaware reports a marriage rate of 4.7 marriages per 1,000 residents, 24% lower than the U.S. average of 6.2 marriages per 1,000 people.

Delaware marriage records are the documents created when two people decide to get married officially in the state. In Delaware, marriage records consist of the following documents:

• Marriage License: A marriage license is a document issued by the County Clerk of the Peace granting two individuals the authority to get married. Marriage licenses contain the couple's full names, date of birth, gender, current addresses, and previous marriage information. Marriage licenses also contain the date the document was issued, the license number, and the license expiry date.
• Marriage Certificates: A marriage certificate is a document issued to the couple after the wedding, certifying that the couple has been joined together in marriage. After the wedding ceremony, the officiant has 15 days to return the marriage license to the issuing County Clerk of the Peace office. The officer documents the marriage, creating the marriage certificate. Marriage certificates, which serve as legal proof of marriage, contain the couple's names, wedding dates, place of marriage, and the officiant and witnesses' information and signatures. In addition, the document has a signature and seal of the issuing office, a unique identification number, and a filing date, making the document valid for personal and legal use.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Delaware?

You may obtain certified copies of marriage records in Delaware from the following agencies:

• The Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS) Division of Public Health Office of Vital Statistics provides access to marriage certificates issued from 1913 to the present.
• Marriage licenses and certificates pre-1913 are available at the County Clerk of the Peace office, where the license was procured.

Eligible persons may order certified copies of marriage records in Delaware by mail, in person, or online. Online requests for marriage records are through two independent service providers approved by the DHSS. These vendors charge additional fees for processing and shipping the document.

Persons ordering certified copies of Delaware's marriage certificate may fill out the Application for a Certified Copy of a Delaware Marriage Certificate form or the Application for a Certified Copy of a Delaware Same-Gender Marriage Certificate form. Mail the records or come to any of the following locations, Mondays through Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.:

Generally, all requests for certified copies of marriage certificates must include the following:

• The full names of the couple
• The date and place of marriage
• Date of birth of the couple
• A copy of a valid government-issued photo ID
• A self-addressed, stamped envelope if ordering the record by mail
• The fees

Are Marriage Records Public in Delaware?

Marriage records are not immediately public records in Delaware. Per state law, marriage records are not public records for the first 50 years after the marriage date. Only authorized persons, including the couple, immediate relatives, and legal representatives, may obtain certified copies of the marriage certificate. Marriage records become public records once they are 50 years old. At this time, the general public may request copies without restrictions.

How Much Do Delaware Marriage Records Cost?

It costs $25 to order a certified copy of the Delaware marriage certificate, regardless of whether the request is made in person, by mail, online, or at the County Clerk of the Peace office. Each additional copy of the certified copy also costs $25.

The standard processing time for mail requests is 2-5 weeks. Delaware's Office of Vital Statistics and County Clerk of the Peace offices do not offer expedited processing for marriage certificate requests. However, in-person requests are typically processed immediately or within the same day.

Third-party platforms offer faster processing, but no specific timelines are provided for Delaware marriage certificate requests. Expedited processing is available for online requests, with extra costs ranging between $15 -$30, depending on the vendor chosen. Expedited processing makes the record available within 1-3 business days.

Is It Possible to Make Your Marriage Records Confidential in Delaware?

No. Although Delaware marriage records are closed to the public for the first 50 years, the state does not have a legal framework permitting couples to obtain confidential marriage licenses. In states where it is allowed, obtaining confidential marriage licenses indefinitely restricts the marriage certificate from the public and eligible persons. After the confidentiality period, marriage certificates become public records in Delaware. Similarly, Delaware has no pathway for sealing marriage records in the state.

How Do I Verify the Authenticity of Delaware Marriage Records?

Verifying the authenticity of your Delaware marriage certificate is essential for numerous legal, financial, and personal purposes. Whether you are applying for a spousal visa, updating your name, tracing family history, proving spousal relationships for tax filings, insurance claims, and pension benefits, or navigating divorce proceedings, a genuine marriage certificate is critical.

To this end, Delaware residents may verify the authenticity of their marriage certificate at the DHSS Office of Vital Statistics or the County Clerk of the Peace office where the marriage license was issued. To verify your marriage certificate, visit either office and request to view or obtain the original recorded certificate on file.

Certified copies of marriage certificates in Delaware contain security features that verify the document's legitimacy. Generally, these features include a unique certificate number, a printed statement "Certified True Copy", and the seal of the issuing officer. In addition, certified marriage certificates are printed on security-treated paper that is tamper-resistant, preventing easy duplicity of the document.

Can I Find Delaware Marriage Records Online for Free?

While certified copies require application to the state or county offices for a fee, non-eligible persons may access older and more recent marriage records without paying the state fees.

FamilySearch.org provides a name-only index and microfilm references covering marriage records from 1713 to 1919. The platform offers free access to indexes and scanned marriage certificates from 1913 to 1954. Users can browse the database by year and certificate number to see registered images.

Ancestry.com has a comprehensive database of marriage indexes and some scanned images from 1806 to 1933. Although the platform requires a subscription, many public libraries in Delaware and nationwide offer free on-site access to Ancestry Library Edition, even if you do not have a personal subscription.

PublicRecords.us aggregates indexes and images of Delaware marriage records from local and state repositories to provide a comprehensive and free searchable index of basic marriage certificate information, including spouse names, dates, and counties. Detailed access may require a minimal subscription fee.

What Is Required to Get a Delaware Marriage License?

Persons considering getting married in Delaware must meet state requirements and submit appropriate documents to the County Clerk of Peace's office to get the document. These include:

• Both applicants must appear together at the County Clerk of the Peace's office. Some counties require an appointment.
• Applicants must be 18 years or older to get married.
• If either party does not speak English, a translator is required. The translator must be 18 years or older. Persons under 18 cannot get married in Delaware.
• If either party is on probation or parole, a permission letter is required from the Probation Officer.
• Provide your parents' names, place of birth, and place of current residence.
• A copy of a valid government-issued photo ID.
• An original copy of the certified divorce decree or death certificate if either party was previously married.
• Pay the marriage license fee.

The marriage license fee is $50 plus a $20 recording fee for Delaware residents and $100 plus a $20 recording fee for non-residents. For Delaware residents, there is a 24-hour waiting period after application before the wedding ceremony can occur. For non-Delaware residents, the waiting period is 96 hours after the license is issued. Marriage licenses in Delaware are valid for 30 days from issuance. If unused, the couple must reapply for the license.

Can You Amend Marriage Records in Delaware?

You may amend the following errors on your Delaware marriage license before you file the document and marriage certificates after the wedding:

• Clerical Errors
• Misspellings of names
• Transposed or incorrect letters in names
• Typographical errors in addresses or parental information
• Omitted information

• Substantive Errors
• Incorrect parental names or birthplaces listed on the license or certificate
• Errors in the officiant's name or license validity dates
• Mistakes in residency status

Amending Delaware Marriage License

To amend errors on your Delaware marriage license before the wedding ceremony, both parties must be present at the County Clerk of the Peace office where the license was issued. Delaware provides on-the-spot corrections for errors noticed before the marriage ceremony. For substantive errors, provide documentation to support the correct information. Delaware emphasizes verifying all details when applying for a marriage license. Therefore, the County Clerk of the Peace will charge the marriage license fee to amend errors.

Amending Delaware Marriage Certificate

To amend minor errors in Delaware marriage certificates, submit a notarized affidavit signed by both spouses and the officiant, if applicable. In addition, both parties must be present at the County Clerk of Peace office or the State Office of Vital Statistics to correct the document.

Minor amendments noticed within the first year may be corrected automatically at the County Clerk of the Peace office. No formal affidavit or fee is required. The officer annotates the document with the correct information and draws a line across the incorrect information. The certificate will not be marked "Amended".

Amendments beyond the first year require an affidavit identifying the record, stating the incorrect data, and providing the correct data. Include documentary proof confirming the facts, such as a government-issued ID, birth certificate, or court order. Documentary proofs must be within the last five years before the request date or within the last seven years of marriage.