Lewes Marriage License
Couples planning to marry in Lewes must get their marriage license from the Sussex County Clerk of the Peace in Georgetown. Lewes does not issue marriage licenses at the city level. The Lewes City Clerk's office handles local permits, not marriage licenses. If you're planning a beach ceremony in Lewes or a wedding at the city's parks or marina, you still need to get the license in Georgetown first, then arrange any local permits through Lewes Parks and Recreation separately.
Lewes Marriage License Overview
Where Lewes Residents Apply for Marriage Licenses
The Sussex County Clerk of the Peace is the office that serves Lewes. The Marriage Bureau is located at 2 The Circle, 2nd Floor, Room 226, Georgetown, DE 19947. Phone: 302-853-1717. Georgetown is about 30 miles west of Lewes. The drive takes roughly 35 to 40 minutes depending on traffic, especially during beach season when Route 9 and Route 1 can be congested.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Licenses are issued until 4:00 PM. Arrive by 3:30 PM at the latest. An appointment is required for all in-person visits. Call 302-853-1717 to schedule before you go. The application takes about 20 minutes.
The Lewes City Clerk's office is at City Hall and handles local business permits and municipal services. The Lewes city website explicitly notes that the city does not issue marriage licenses and refers residents to the Sussex County Clerk of the Peace in Georgetown. For Parks and Marina weddings, contact Lewes Parks and Recreation in addition to getting the county license.
| License Office | Sussex County Clerk of the Peace - Marriage Bureau |
|---|---|
| Address | 2 The Circle, 2nd Floor, Room 226 Georgetown, DE 19947 |
| Phone | 302-853-1717 |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (last license by 4:00 PM) |
| Appointments | Required |
The Lewes city website confirms that marriage licenses are not issued at the city level and directs couples to the Sussex County Clerk of the Peace in Georgetown for all marriage license needs.
Getting Married on Lewes Beaches and Parks
Lewes is a popular destination for beach weddings. Getting married here involves two separate steps. First, you get the marriage license from the Sussex County Clerk of the Peace in Georgetown. Second, you arrange ceremony permissions with the City of Lewes for use of city-owned beaches, parks, or the marina.
For Parks and Marina weddings in Lewes, the city allocates 4 hours total for the ceremony: 2 hours to set up before the ceremony, the ceremony itself, and 2 hours to break down and clear the space after. Nothing can be left overnight on the beach or in the parks. You and any vendors must carry all items in and out by hand. Driving onto the beach or into a park for setup is not allowed.
Allowed decorations include chairs, tents (no staking tents in parks), archways, benches, and flowers (no loose petals that scatter). Candles and tables are also permitted. If you plan to use speakers, microphones, or any amplification for music or vows, you must submit an Amplification Request Form along with your Wedding Ceremony Request Form.
The City of Lewes does not have a staff officiant. The city refers couples to one local vendor at DEbeachwedding.com for beach ceremonies, or you can contact the Sussex County Clerk of the Peace to ask if they can perform the ceremony at your location.
The Lewes FAQ page covers beach wedding procedures, decoration rules, amplification forms, and how to contact Sussex County for the marriage license itself.
What Lewes Applicants Need
When you go to the Georgetown office to apply, both parties must come together. Each person needs a valid government-issued photo ID with a date of birth. Acceptable IDs include a state driver's license or DMV ID, a passport, a consulate ID, or a military ID for active duty personnel. Proof of Delaware residency (current address) is needed to get the resident fee of $50 (plus $20 recording, totaling $70). Non-residents pay $100 plus the $20 recording fee.
If either party was previously married, bring the original or certified copy of the divorce decree, annulment, or death certificate. No photocopies. A third-party translator is needed if one party does not speak English. The translator must be 18 or older with valid ID. Anyone on probation or parole must present an original letter from their Probation Officer. All applicants must be 18 or older.
Marriage Records for Lewes Couples
After the wedding, certified copies of the marriage certificate are available from the Sussex County Clerk of the Peace. Call 302-853-1717 to verify the record is on file before requesting. In-person requests require a valid photo ID and an appointment. Certified copies cost $25. Sussex County's records go back to March 2002.
For marriages in Lewes dating back to 1971 through March 2002, contact the Office of Vital Statistics at their Sussex County location: 546 S. Bedford St., Georgetown, DE 19947. Phone: (302) 515-3190. For records before 1971, reach out to the Delaware Public Archives at (302) 744-5000. You can also order certified copies online through VitalChek.
County That Handles Lewes Filings
Lewes is in Sussex County. Marriage licenses come from the Clerk of the Peace in Georgetown.