Sussex County Marriage Records
Sussex County marriage records are held by the Clerk of the Peace through its Marriage Bureau at 2 The Circle in Georgetown. The office takes license applications by appointment only and also hosts Memorable Marriage ceremonies in the office and around Georgetown's historic Circle. Use the tool below to begin looking up Sussex County marriage records. The Delaware Office of Vital Statistics also keeps central records for marriages held in the county.
Sussex County Overview
Sussex County Marriage Bureau
The Sussex County Clerk of the Peace runs the Marriage Bureau out of Room 226 at 2 The Circle in Georgetown. Call (302) 853-1717 to book an appointment. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by appointment only. The last license of the day must start by 4:00 p.m., so the bureau asks applicants to arrive no later than 3:30 p.m. The full application takes about 20 minutes.
Both people must appear together. Each spouse shows a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. Proof of residence is part of the request for anyone who wants the in-state fee. Cash or credit cards are accepted. The license is good 24 hours after the application is complete and expires 30 days from that date.
The resident fee in Sussex County is $50 plus a $20 recording fee. Non-residents pay $100 plus the $20 recording fee. Active-duty U.S. military members and veterans pay nothing for any service at the office, regardless of residency. The full rule is on the county page at sussexcountyde.gov/marriage-licenses.
The page lists the full address of the bureau and the acceptable forms of photo ID.
| Office | Sussex County Clerk of the Peace, Marriage Bureau |
|---|---|
| Address | 2 The Circle, Room 226 Georgetown, DE 19947 |
| Phone | (302) 853-1717 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (by appointment) |
Sussex County Marriage Records Fees
Sussex County Code Section 62-16 lays out the full fee schedule for the Clerk of the Peace. The fee for a marriage license to a Delaware resident is $50, and the fee to a non-resident is $100. The fee for a certified copy of a Sussex County marriage record is $25.
The full code text lives at ecode360.com/8881723 and covers ceremony and vow renewal fees as well.
Ceremony fees vary by the day and hour and by whether the couple lives in Delaware. A Memorable Marriage Ceremony held in the Clerk of the Peace office, on The Circle, or in any building fronting The Circle during regular business hours costs $100 for residents. After-hours, weekend, and out-of-office ceremonies cost residents $100 and non-residents $200. A renewal of vows held in the office during regular hours costs residents $100 and non-residents $200.
Each marriage license recorded in the Sussex County Marriage Bureau carries a $20 recording fee. As noted above, active U.S. military members and veterans pay nothing for any Sussex County marriage service.
Note: The full fee list for the Clerk of the Peace sits in Sussex County Code Chapter 62, which also covers the Recorder of Deeds and the Register of Wills.
How to Order Sussex County Marriage Records
The Marriage Bureau issues certified copies only for licenses filed in Sussex County from March 2002 forward. For Sussex County marriage records filed between 1971 and March 2002, the state Office of Vital Statistics is the place to ask. For records older than 1971, the Delaware Public Archives in Dover holds the file.
An appointment is required for in-person pickup. Call the Marriage Bureau at (302) 853-1717 first to check that the record is on file and to set a time. The staff can also accept a mail request. A certified copy costs $25.
Delaware marriage records are private for 50 years. In that window, the office only releases copies to the spouses, a close family member, or a legal agent. The bureau encourages a phone call before any online or mail request to verify that the record is on hand.
Office of Vital Statistics in Sussex County
The Office of Vital Statistics runs a branch in Sussex County at 546 S. Bedford Street in Georgetown. The phone number is (302) 515-3190. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. This office handles same-day requests for Sussex County marriage records held by the state from 1972 to the present.
The branch office is just a few blocks from the Sussex County Marriage Bureau on The Circle. Couples married in Sussex County can use either office for a certified copy once the license has been filed. The full program page at dhss.delaware.gov has the application form. For online orders, use GoCertificates or VitalChek.
Beach Weddings and Destination Ceremonies
Sussex County is a top beach wedding spot in Delaware. Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes offers wide beaches, nature trails, and bird sanctuaries. Beach weddings tend to book before 9 a.m. or after 5:30 p.m. in the summer to avoid the midday heat. The off-season months leave more room on the calendar.
Couples who want a beach ceremony must still get the license from the Sussex County Marriage Bureau in Georgetown. Lewes City Hall has no role in license issue. The Lewes FAQ at ci.lewes.de.us points couples to the Georgetown office for the license and to private venues for the reception.
The Lewes Historical Society is a useful stop for couples and researchers who want to trace older Sussex County marriage records or the history of the town. The society covers the earliest years of the county, going back to the colonial era.
Delaware Marriage Law in Sussex County
Marriage in Sussex County follows Title 13, Chapter 1 of the Delaware Code. Section 109 bars any marriage from being held without a valid license. Section 115(b) gives the officiant four days after the ceremony to return the signed form to the Clerk of the Peace.
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Section 122 asks each spouse to swear they are not of a prohibited degree of relationship. Section 128 fines any officiant who runs a ceremony without a license or before the 24-hour wait is up.
Vital statistics rules come from Delaware Vital Statistics Regulations under 16 Del. C. Section 3104. The rules spell out what each branch office must do, from checking the record for accuracy to forwarding it to the central office in Dover.
Cities in Sussex County
These cities in Sussex County use the Marriage Bureau in Georgetown for marriage licenses and for certified copies of Sussex County marriage records.
The City of Milford sits on the border of Kent and Sussex, so some Milford residents file in Dover instead. Other Sussex County places include Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, Millsboro, Laurel, and Bridgeville.
Nearby Counties
Sussex County is the southernmost of Delaware's three counties. Kent County shares its north border and runs its own Clerk of the Peace for Delaware marriage records.