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Delaware Marriage Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

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Delaware, Marriage Records, 1913-1954
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This article describes a collection of records at FamilySearch.org.
Delaware,
United States
Flag of Delaware
Flag of Delaware
Locator map of Delaware
Location of Delaware
Record Description
Record Type Marriage
Collection years 1913-1954
FamilySearch Resources
Content Resources
Related Websites
Archive
Delaware Bureau of Vital Statistics


What is in This Collection?

The collection consists of an index & images to Delaware statewide marriage records. The certificates are arranged by year then by certificate number. State registration of marriages began in 1847 as the recorder of deeds for each county began to send copies of marriages to the secretary of the State Board of Health. Vital registration was generally complied with after 1913 when the central Bureau of Vital Statistics was established according to state law, which required registration of vital records. Copies of marriage records for the most recent 40 years can be obtained by writing to the Bureau of Vital Statistics, or for earlier records, from the Delaware Public Archives in Dover, Delaware.

Population coverage is nearly 100% after statewide registration began in 1847. Coverage is not as complete for some earlier years. Counties in Delaware recorded marriages to safeguard the interests of the wife and other legal heirs by documenting marriages and property ownership. Marriage records are considered to be primary source records. Information in these records is usually reliable, including the marriage date and place and residences of the bride and groom.

Originally, marriage records were handwritten. Later they were typed on pre-printed forms with multiple entries on each page. Marriage records were generally well preserved, though fires, floods, or other disasters may have destroyed some records.

Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

Index and Image Visibility

FamilySearch provides images and indexes subject to contractual limitations and changes. Access to images and indexes may vary. Some collections may only have partial indexes without images. See Restrictions for Viewing Images for details.

What Can These Records Tell Me?

The following information may be found in these records:

  • Groom's name and residence
  • Groom's age, race, nativity and occupation
  • Name of groom's father and place of nativity
  • Name of groom's mother and place of nativity
  • Marital status of the bride and groom
  • Bride's name and residence
  • Bride's age, race, and nativity
  • Name of bride's father and place of nativity
  • Name of bride's mother and place of nativity
  • Name of the officiator
  • Witnesses' names and their place of residence

Collection Content

Sample Image

  • Marriage Certificate 1917

    Marriage Certificate 1917

Digital Folder Number List

This collection was published as a DGS browse collection. The list does not contain any description of the DGS folder's content. A table listing each DGS number and its contents can be found at Delaware Marriage Records Digital Folder Number List.

How Do I Search This Collection?

Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:

  • The name of the person at the time of marriage
  • Identifying information such as the approximate marriage date and place

Search the Index

Search by name on the Collection Details Page.
  1. Enter the information in the fields in the Search Collection section or click More Options to see additional fields
  2. Click Search to show possible matches

View the Images

To view images in this collection:
  1. Look at the Digital Folder Number List article to determine the folder/film number for the images you want to see
  2. Go to the Browse Page
  3. Select the Film number to view the images

How Do I Analyze the Results?

Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?

When you have located your ancestor’s marriage record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

  • Add any new information to your records
  • Use the birth date or age along with the place of birth to find the family in census records
  • Use the residence and names of the parents to locate church and land records
  • Occupations listed can lead you to other types of records such as employment or military records
  • The name of the officiator is a clue to their religion or area of residence in the county. However, ministers may have reported marriages performed in other counties

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

Research Helps

The following articles will help you research your family in the state of Delaware.

Citing This Collection

Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

Collection Citation:
The citation for this collection can be found on the Collection Details Page in the section Cite This Collection.
Record Citation:
When looking at a record, the citation can be viewed by clicking the drop-down arrow next to Document Information.
Image Citation:
When looking at an image, the citation is found on the Information tab at the bottom left of the screen.
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