How to Find Delaware Birth Records

How to Find United States Births Delaware Births

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Statewide registration of births began in 1861 but was discontinued in 1863. Registration resumed in 1881 and was generally complied with by 1921.

Next Step: When did the birth occur?	Birth Records Choose a time period: Before 1861 1861 - 1913 1913 - Present Birth year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Birth Records

Births before 1861

Delaware did not have birth registration on a statewide level until 1913. However, some records do exist from other early sources.

Delaware Births Databases
	1680-1934 Delaware Vital Record Index Cards- At FamilySearch.org	Free; Images of card indexes from the Delaware State Archives Hall of Records in Dover, Delaware.
	1680-1971 Delaware Vital Records - At FamilySearch.org	Free; A collection of various vital records from the Delaware Public Archives. The collection includes birth, marriage, death, bible, and cemetery records spanning various year ranges.
	1710-1896 Delaware Births and Christenings - At FamilySearch.org	Free; Name index to birth, baptism and christening records from the state of Delaware. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and FamilySearch Centers. Due to privacy laws, recent records may not be displayed. The year range represents most of the records. A few records may be earlier or later.
Ancestry database: Includes Index and Images
Choose one of the following:
	Delaware Birth Records 1800-1908 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center
	Delaware Birth Records 1800-1908 - use your own Ancestry subscription	$, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library

You may need to use substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.

Records that give birth information:
Death Records Cemetery Records Newspapers	Church Records Census Military Records

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Births 1861 - 1913

For births that exist during the time period, try the following databases.

Delaware Births Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images
	Delaware State Birth Records 1861-1922 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; Name index and images of state birth records, 1861-1922, including delayed birth records.

Delaware Births Databases
	1680-1934 Delaware Vital Record Index Cards- At FamilySearch.org	Free; Images of card indexes from the Delaware State Archives Hall of Records in Dover, Delaware.
	1680-1971 Delaware Vital Records - At FamilySearch.org	Free; A collection of various vital records from the Delaware Public Archives. The collection includes birth, marriage, death, bible, and cemetery records spanning various year ranges.
	1710-1896 Delaware Births and Christenings - At FamilySearch.org	Free; Name index to birth, baptism and christening records from the state of Delaware. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and FamilySearch Centers. Due to privacy laws, recent records may not be displayed. The year range represents most of the records. A few records may be earlier or later.
Ancestry database: Includes Index and Images
Choose one of the following:
	Delaware Birth Records 1800-1908 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center
	Delaware Birth Records 1800-1908 - use your own Ancestry subscription	$, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library

Can't find your ancestor in the online index? Tips for searching online indexes No birth record for your ancestor? Other records with birth information

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Births 1913 - Present

STEP ONE: Find Birth Information

Delaware Births Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images
	Delaware State Birth Records 1861-1922 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; Name index and images of state birth records, 1861-1922, including delayed birth records.

Delaware Births Databases
	1680-1934 Delaware Vital Record Index Cards- At FamilySearch.org	Free; Images of card indexes from the Delaware State Archives Hall of Records in Dover, Delaware.
	1680-1971 Delaware Vital Records - At FamilySearch.org	Free; A collection of various vital records from the Delaware Public Archives. The collection includes birth, marriage, death, bible, and cemetery records spanning various year ranges.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate

PART A: You know the exact date of birth

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:

To Order Birth Certificates
From County of Birth		From WV Dept. of Health State office
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth

If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:
For a fee, the West Virginia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search.

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

The Delaware Public Archives houses birth certificates created since 1913 that are 72 years or older. This means the archives only has birth certificates up through and including 1940.

To order a birth certificate for an individual select the proper agency below:

Jesse S. Cooper Building
417 Federal Street
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: (302) 744-4549

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Related Wiki Articles

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• How to find U.S. death records
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