Dover Marriage License

Couples getting married in Dover apply for a marriage license at the Kent County Clerk of the Peace office on Bay Road. Dover is both the county seat of Kent County and the state capital of Delaware, and the Clerk's office is located right here in the city. The office is cash only. Both parties must come together during business hours, and you need to apply at least 24 hours before the ceremony. The license is valid for 30 days after it's issued.

Kent County Clerk of the Peace in Dover

The Kent County Clerk of the Peace is at 555 Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901. This is where all Dover residents and anyone planning to marry in the Dover area must apply for their marriage license. The office number is 302-744-2346. You can also email them at Clerk@kentcountyde.gov. The current Clerk of the Peace is Hon. Brenda Wootten.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. However, licenses are only issued between 8:00 AM and 4:15 PM. If you arrive after 4:15 PM, the office will not start a new license application. Come before then and plan for about 15 to 20 minutes to complete the process. Kent County is cash only for all fees. Bring exact cash.

The Kent County marriage license page is the official source for Dover area couples. It lists current fees, hours, requirements, and what to bring when you apply.

Dover Marriage License Fees

The license fee in Kent County is $70 for Delaware residents. If neither applicant is a Delaware resident, the fee is $120. Both amounts are cash only. Only one person needs to be a resident to qualify for the lower rate. You must bring proof of your current Delaware address to confirm residency. Fees are nonrefundable.

If you want the Clerk of the Peace to perform your ceremony in Dover, that's an additional fee. In-state residents pay $50 for a ceremony during regular weekday hours. After-hours weekday ceremonies cost $75. Saturdays run $100. Out-of-office ceremonies in the Dover area also cost $100 for residents. Non-residents pay $100 for a regular weekday ceremony, $125 for after hours, and $150 on Saturdays. All ceremony fees are cash only as well.

Dover, as the state capital, has access to additional ceremony venues. Civil ceremonies can also be arranged at the Kent County Courthouse. The city has specific guidelines around outdoor ceremonies in the historic district or on state properties, which may require special permits from the state's Division of Parks and Recreation or other agencies.

What Dover Couples Need to Bring

Both applicants must be present together. You cannot apply on separate trips. Each person must have a valid government-issued photo ID with their date of birth. Accepted forms include a DMV driver's license or ID, a passport, or a military ID for active duty personnel. Proof of your current residential address is required to get the resident fee.

The current name on your ID is the name that goes on the marriage license. Make sure your ID reflects your legal name before you come in. You'll also need your parents' birth names (maiden names), your birthplace (state or country only), and your current address handy.

If either party was previously married, bring an original or certified final divorce decree, annulment, or death certificate. If you reclaimed a former name after a divorce, bring the name change court documents (originals or certified copies only). Documents not in English require a certified translation. If either party is on probation or parole, an original letter from the Probation Officer must be presented at the time of application.

The Kent County step-by-step marriage guide covers everything Dover couples need to know before their appointment, including ID types, prior marriage documents, and translator requirements.

Waiting Period and License Rules

Dover follows the same Delaware rules as every other county. You must apply at least 24 hours before the ceremony. The 24-hour clock starts from the time of your application, not from midnight. The license is valid for 30 days from the date it's issued. The ceremony must take place somewhere in Delaware. You can use a Kent County license anywhere in the state.

After the ceremony, your officiant must return the completed license to the Clerk of the Peace within 4 days. Copies must also be sent to the Office of Vital Statistics within 5 days. If your officiant is not already registered to perform marriages in Delaware, make sure they register with the Kent County Clerk of the Peace before the wedding. Couples in Kent County are encouraged to confirm their officiant is legally authorized before the ceremony takes place.

Certified Copies and Marriage Records in Dover

Dover is home to the main Office of Vital Statistics, which is in the Jesse S. Cooper Building at 417 Federal Street, Dover, DE 19901. Phone: (302) 744-4549. This is the central office for all of Delaware's vital records, including marriage certificates from 1969 to present. A certified copy costs $25. Photo ID is required. You can apply in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek.

For marriages in Kent County from the Clerk of the Peace's records, contact the Clerk directly at 302-744-2346. Marriage records in Delaware are not public until they are 40 years old. Until then, only the parties on the document or their authorized representatives can request copies. When sending a mail request to the Office of Vital Statistics, include a photocopy of your ID and a personal check or money order payable to "Office of Vital Statistics."

County That Handles Dover Filings

Dover is the county seat of Kent County. Marriage licenses are issued at the Kent County Clerk of the Peace at 555 Bay Road.

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