New Castle County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in New Castle County, both applicants must visit the Clerk of the Peace office in Wilmington together. As of April 1, 2025, walk-in visits are no longer accepted. You must make an appointment before you come in. The office handles all marriage license applications for everyone who plans to marry anywhere in New Castle County, whether you live here or are just hosting your ceremony here.

New Castle County Clerk of the Peace

The New Castle County Marriage Bureau is located at 800 N. French Street, 2nd Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801. The office phone number is (302) 395-7780. Hours for license applications are Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 11:30 AM and 1:00 to 3:30 PM. The office closes for lunch, so plan your visit accordingly.

As of April 1, 2025, walk-in appointments are no longer available. You must schedule an appointment before coming in. This is a recent change. If you show up without one, you may not be served. Call (302) 395-7780 to set up your appointment. Both parties must come together at the scheduled time.

The New Castle County Marriage Licenses page has the latest information on fees, appointment requirements, and what to bring when you apply.

New Castle County Marriage License Fees

The fee for a marriage license in New Castle County is $70 if either applicant is a Delaware resident. This includes the $20 recording fee. If neither applicant is a Delaware resident, the total fee is $120, which also includes the recording fee. Proof of address is required to qualify for the resident rate. Only one applicant needs to be a Delaware resident to pay the lower fee.

These fees are nonrefundable. If the ceremony does not take place within the 30-day validity window, you must apply and pay again. The Clerk's office does not reinstate expired licenses or offer refunds for unused ones.

If you want the Clerk of the Peace to perform the ceremony, there is an additional cost. Civil ceremonies performed by the Clerk's office are available by appointment. The cost varies depending on whether the ceremony is held during regular office hours or at another location. Contact the office directly at (302) 395-7780 to ask about ceremony fees and scheduling.

What You Need to Apply

Both applicants must appear in person at the same time. You cannot apply on separate days. Each person needs a valid government-issued photo ID that includes a date of birth. Acceptable forms of identification include a valid DMV-issued ID or driver's license, a passport, a consulate ID, or a military ID for active duty personnel. The current name on your ID will be the name used on the marriage license, so make sure your ID reflects your legal name.

Proof of current address is required for the resident fee. The office may request additional documents such as a birth certificate or social security card to confirm your identity. If either party was previously married, bring an original or certified copy of the final divorce decree, annulment papers, or death certificate. No photocopies accepted. If either applicant is on probation or parole, an original letter from the Probation Officer giving permission for the marriage must be presented.

You will be asked to provide your parents' birth names, your place of residency, and your place of birth (state or country only). A third-party translator is required if one of the parties does not speak English. The translator must be at least 18 years old and have proper identification. Plan for the application to take 15 to 20 minutes.

Waiting Period and License Validity

New Castle County follows the same rules as the rest of Delaware. Under Delaware Code Title 13, Section 107, the license must be obtained at least 24 hours before the ceremony. The 24-hour clock starts from the time of application. Plan your appointment date with this in mind. If the ceremony is on a Saturday afternoon, you need to have applied no later than Saturday afternoon of the week before, or Friday at the latest to be safe.

The license is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance. The ceremony must take place within New Castle County or anywhere else in Delaware. You cannot use a Delaware license for a ceremony held outside the state. Once the license expires, it cannot be reinstated. No refunds are given for unused licenses.

After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed license to the Clerk of the Peace within 4 days. The officiant also sends copies to the Office of Vital Statistics within 5 days. If you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate later, contact either the Clerk's office or the Office of Vital Statistics at (302) 744-4549.

New Castle County and Delaware Marriage Equality

New Castle County played a central role in Delaware's marriage equality history. On July 1, 2013, the first same-sex marriage license in Delaware was issued to then-state Senator Karen Peterson and her partner Victoria "Vikki" Bandy at the city council building in Wilmington. On that first day of the new law, Delaware saw 108 marriage ceremonies across all three counties, with 53 of them taking place right here in New Castle County.

Kenneth Boulden, the Clerk of the Peace who performed the ceremony, later donated his copy of the marriage certificate to the Delaware Historical Society's collection. That record is now part of the state's LGBTQ history collection. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Delaware since that date, and all marriage license applications are handled the same way regardless of the applicants' genders.

The Delaware Historical Society's page on the first same-sex marriage license tells the story of Peterson and Bandy's wedding and the historic day for New Castle County residents.

Getting a Copy of a Marriage Certificate in New Castle County

If you need a certified copy of a marriage certificate from a New Castle County marriage, you have a few options. For recent marriages (1969 to present), contact the Office of Vital Statistics. Their New Castle County location is at 258 Chapman Road, Newark, DE 19702. Phone: (302) 283-7130. Copies cost $25 each. A photo ID is required for all requests.

You can also order directly from the Clerk of the Peace by mail. Send a written request with the full names of both parties, the date of the ceremony, your phone number, and whether you need a marriage or civil union license copy. Include a money order or certified check for $25 made payable to "Clerk of the Peace," plus a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail to: New Castle County Clerk of the Peace, 800 North French Street, 2nd Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801.

For marriages older than 50 years, contact the Delaware Public Archives at (302) 744-5000. Those records have been transferred to the Archives and are open to the public. Online ordering is available through VitalChek at 1-877-888-0248.

Cities in New Castle County

All cities in New Castle County obtain marriage licenses from the same Clerk of the Peace office in Wilmington. Select a city below for location-specific information.

Nearby Counties

New Castle County borders Kent County to the south. If your ceremony will take place in Kent or Sussex County, apply at the Clerk of the Peace in that county instead.