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:

	Delaware Public Archives	On July 1, 1913, the state of Delaware established a law requiring the registration of births, deaths, and marriages. The Delaware Public Archives houses birth certificates created since 1913 that are 72 years or older and death and marriage certificates 40 years old or older.
	Delaware Department of Health and Social Services	The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services keeps birth certificates less than 72 years old and death and marriage certificates less than 40 years. Copies of certificates may be requested in person, by mail or through VitalChek. Proof of relationship is required.

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

For a fee, the Delaware Public Archives will search for births that occurred since 1913 that are 72 years or older. The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services will search for births less than 72 years old; requests must be placed in person or by mail.

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

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