Search Milford Marriage License

Milford is a unique city in Delaware because it straddles both Kent and Sussex counties. Getting a marriage license in Milford depends on which side of the county line your ceremony will take place on. If you're getting married on the Kent County side, you apply at the Kent County Clerk of the Peace in Dover. If the ceremony is on the Sussex County side, you apply in Georgetown. Both offices serve Milford residents, just for different parts of the city.

Kent or Sussex? Which Office Serves You

Milford is shared between Kent County and Sussex County. This is one of three cities in Kent County; the others are Dover and Harrington. The part of Milford on the Kent County side answers to the Clerk of the Peace in Dover. The Sussex County portion of Milford goes through the Georgetown office.

For Kent County residents, apply at: 555 Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901. Phone: 302-744-2346. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM. Kent County is cash only.

For Sussex County residents, apply at: 2 The Circle, 2nd Floor, Room 226, Georgetown, DE 19947. Phone: 302-853-1717. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with the last application starting by 4:00 PM. An appointment is required for Sussex County visits.

If you're unsure which side of the county line your address falls on, call either office and provide your address. They can confirm which county covers your location. You apply in the county where the ceremony will take place, not necessarily where you live.

Milford Weddings and Marriage Licenses

Milford has several popular wedding venues and ceremony locations. The Milford Museum, Silver Lake, and the riverfront along the Mispillion River are commonly used for outdoor ceremonies. The Bicentennial Park and Abbott's Mill Nature Center are also options depending on the season. Beach weddings at nearby Prime Hook Beach require a license through the county system, with Sussex County handling those requests since Prime Hook is in Sussex County.

No matter which side of Milford your ceremony is on, the license must be obtained at least 24 hours before the event. The license is valid for 30 days. The ceremony must take place in Delaware. A Delaware marriage license works anywhere in the state, so if you get a Kent County license, you can legally use it for a ceremony in Sussex County and vice versa. Just apply in the county where you plan to actually hold the ceremony.

What to Bring When Applying in Milford

Both applicants must be present at the time of application at whichever county office serves your ceremony location. Each person needs a valid government-issued photo ID with date of birth. A state driver's license or DMV ID, passport, or military ID all work. Proof of address is needed for the resident fee. The resident fee is $70 total, and the non-resident fee is $120 total. Both include the $20 recording charge.

If either party was previously married, bring the original or certified divorce decree, annulment papers, or death certificate. No photocopies accepted. Bring certified translations if any documents are in a foreign language. Name change documents are required if you legally reclaimed a prior name. A third-party translator must come with you if one party does not speak English. All applicants must be 18 or older.

For Kent County applicants: the office is cash only. Bring the right amount of cash. You do not need to schedule an appointment in advance for Kent County, but you must arrive before 4:15 PM. For Sussex County: an appointment is required. Call 302-853-1717 before your visit.

The Kent County About Us page confirms that Milford is shared between Kent and Sussex Counties and explains the Clerk of the Peace's role in issuing marriage licenses for Kent County residents.

Certified Copies and Vital Records for Milford

After your wedding, certified copies of your marriage certificate are available from the county Clerk's office or the Office of Vital Statistics. For Kent County marriages, the central OVS office is in Dover at 417 Federal Street, (302) 744-4549. For Sussex County marriages, the OVS Sussex branch is in Georgetown at 546 S. Bedford St., (302) 515-3190. Both offices require valid photo ID and charge $25 per certified copy.

You can also order online or by phone through VitalChek at 1-877-888-0248. Mail requests to the OVS in Dover require a photocopy of your ID and a check or money order payable to "Office of Vital Statistics."

Counties That Serve Milford

Milford is split between two counties. Apply in the county where your ceremony will take place.

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