Marriage License in Kent County

Kent County marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of the Peace at 555 Bay Road in Dover. Both applicants must appear together Monday through Friday during office hours. The Kent County office is cash only, so bring the right amount when you go. Dover is the county seat and the state capital of Delaware. The Clerk of the Peace handles every marriage license in Kent County, whether you're getting married in Dover, Harrington, Milford, or anywhere else in the county.

Kent County Clerk of the Peace

The Kent County Clerk of the Peace is the only office in the county that issues marriage licenses. The current Clerk of the Peace is Hon. Brenda Wootten. The office is located at 555 Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901. You can reach the office by phone at 302-744-2346 or by email at Clerk@kentcountyde.gov.

Office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Licenses are issued between 8:00 AM and 4:15 PM only, so don't arrive close to 5:00 PM expecting to apply. The application process takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Plan accordingly. The office is cash only for all transactions, both for licenses and for any ceremonies the Clerk performs.

The official Kent County marriage license page lists current requirements, fees, and office hours directly from the Clerk of the Peace.

Kent County License Fees and Ceremony Costs

The marriage license fee in Kent County is $70 for Delaware residents and $120 for non-residents. Both fees are cash only. If either applicant is a Delaware resident with proof of address, you qualify for the lower rate. The fee is nonrefundable regardless of whether the ceremony takes place within the 30-day validity window.

The Kent County Clerk of the Peace can also perform the wedding ceremony for an additional fee. Ceremony fees depend on residency status and timing. For in-state residents, a ceremony during regular Monday through Friday hours costs $50. An after-hours weekday ceremony is $75. Saturday ceremonies run $100. Out-of-office ceremonies also cost $100. Non-Delaware residents pay $100 for a regular weekday ceremony, $125 for after hours, and $150 for Saturday. Out-of-office non-resident ceremonies cost $100. All ceremony fees are cash only as well.

Kent County has 17 towns and 3 cities: the City of Dover, the City of Harrington, and the City of Milford (which it shares with Sussex County). Total population in Kent County is 181,851 based on the 2020 Decennial Census.

The Kent County Zendesk help article explains the step-by-step process for getting married in the county, including all ID requirements and what happens if you were previously married.

What to Bring to the Kent County Clerk

Both applicants must appear together Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:15 PM. Neither party can come in alone or on a different day. Each person needs a valid DMV-issued ID or driver's license, a passport, or a military ID (active duty). The ID must include your date of birth. Proof of your current address is also required.

If either party was previously married, bring the original or certified final divorce decree, annulment documents, or a certified death certificate. No photocopies. If you previously took back a former name after divorce and need to show that change, bring the original or certified copy of the name change court documents. A certified translation is required for any documents not in English.

You will need to know the dates of any previous marriages and where they took place. You will also be asked for your parents' birth names (maiden names), your place of residency, and your birthplace (state or country only). If either applicant is on probation or parole, an original letter of permission from the Probation Officer must be submitted.

A translator is required if one party does not speak English. The translator must be at least 18 and have their own valid identification. Minors cannot apply for a marriage license in Delaware. There are no exceptions. All applicants must be 18 or older.

Kent County Row Offices

Kent County has four elected Row Officers. The Clerk of the Peace is one of them. The others are the Recorder of Deeds, the Register of Wills, and the Sheriff. Each runs an independent office with its own responsibilities. The Recorder of Deeds handles land records and property documents but does not issue marriage licenses. The Recorder is Hon. Eugenia Thornton, reachable at 302-744-2314 or Recorder@kentcountyde.gov, at 555 Bay Road, Dover.

For property records searches in Kent County, the Recorder of Deeds maintains an online system. Electronic deed records go back to the 1700s. Real property indices and images are certified from January 30, 1874 to present. The Kent County Deeds Records Search Tool is free to search. Downloading or printing costs $2.00 per page, or $75 for a 30-day unlimited subscription. The county also maintains its own database at Kent County Property Management System, which is free to browse.

The Kent County About Us page describes the four Row Officers and their responsibilities, including the Clerk of the Peace who issues marriage licenses in the county.

The Kent County Deeds Office page lists the Recorder's hours, contact details, and the office's mission for maintaining property records in the county.

Cities in Kent County

All Kent County cities get their marriage licenses from the Clerk of the Peace in Dover. Milford is a unique case because it straddles both Kent and Sussex counties. If your ceremony will be on the Kent side of Milford, apply here. If it's on the Sussex side, apply in Georgetown.

Nearby Counties

Kent County sits between New Castle County to the north and Sussex County to the south. Marriage licenses are only valid in Delaware, so apply in the county where your ceremony will be held.