How to Find Delaware Marriage Records

United States US Vital Records How to Find United States Marriages Delaware Vital Records Delaware Marriages

Finding Delaware Marriage Records

State registration of marriages began in 1847 and was generally complied with by 1913. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of the marriage bonds for 1744-1836 and 1855-1861, and licenses for 1889-1894.

Delaware counties began keeping marriage records as early as 1832. These records have been transferred from the counties to the Delaware Public Archives. These early county marriage records are not available at the Family History Library; however, the library has records of some pre-1847 marriage bonds.

Marriages of Delaware residents may also be recorded in adjoining states, such as Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Next Step: When did the marriage occur?

Next Step: When did the marriage occur?	Marriage Records Choose a time period: Before 1847 1847-Present Marriage year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records Marriages Before 1847 Delaware counties began keeping marriage records as early as 1832. These records have been transferred from the counties to the Delaware Public Archives. These early county marriage records are not available at the Family History Library; however, the library has records of some pre-1847 marriage bonds. STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index Marriage Indexes and Digital Images Database Name - Index and Image Link or links to access database Ancestry, Marriages, 1744-1912 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription Ancestry, Marriages, 1750-1954 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription Ancestry, Marriages, 1806-1933 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try: Database Name-Index Only Link or links to access database FamilySearch, Marriage Index, 1713-1953 On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years Can't access Ancestry? Visit your local family history center or your local public library. No marriage record for your ancestor? Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Search other records with marriage information. STEP TWO: Obtain the Record Delaware Public Archives If you do not find your ancestor in the above records you may order a marriage record from the: Delaware Public Archives 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. North Dover, DE 19901 Marriage Records on Microfilm Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the FamilySearch Catalog to see what is available. Search the FamilySearch Catalog by county. Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk. For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center. Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year Marriages 1847 to Present State registration of marriages began in 1847 STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index Marriage Indexes and Digital Images Database Name - Index and Image Link or links to access database # of records Ancestry, Marriages, 1744-1912 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 203,346 Ancestry, Marriages, 1750-1954 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription Ancestry, Marriages, 1806-1933 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 296,986 FamilySearch, Marriage Index, 1913-1954 On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years 112,894 If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try: Database Name-Index Only Link or links to access database # of records FamilySearch, Marriage Index, 1713-1953 On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years 9,540 Can't access Ancestry? Visit your local family history center or your local public library. No marriage record for your ancestor? Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Search other records with marriage information. STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate Marriage licenses may be found in the county records where the marriage occurred. You can obtain marriage records for the most recent 40 years old by writing to the Bureau of Vital Statistics. For marriages recorded more than 40 years ago, contact the Delaware Public Archives. For records recent to 40 years old there are three offices which can be contacted: Jesse S. Cooper Bldg. 417 Federal Street Dover, DE 19901 Phone: (302) 744-4549 Chopin Building 258 Chapman Rd. Newark, DE 19702 Phone: (302) 283-7130 Thurman Adams State Serv CTR. 546 S. Bedford St. Georgetown, DE 19947 Phone: (302) 856-5495 For records 40 years and older: Delaware Public Archives 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. North Dover, DE 19901 Marriage Records on Microfilm Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the FamilySearch Catalog to see what is available. Search the FamilySearch Catalog by county. Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk. For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center. Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year Wiki Articles Learn more about U.S. marriage records How to find U.S. birth records How to find U.S. marriage records How to find U.S. death records United States Record Selection Table United States, How to Use Marriage Records United States Marriage Records United States Vital Records U.S. Vital Records Overview Locating United States Vital Records