How to Fill out a Delaware Marriage License with Examples & FAQs

Asked to officiate a Delaware wedding? Getting married in Delaware? Whether you're a new wedding officiant or soon-to-be newlyweds, here’s everything you need to know about the marriage license process, including cost, waiting period, and – most importantly – how to fill out a marriage license in Delaware correctly the first time!

 

Wedding bells are ringing, so let’s take a look! 

 

 

How to Fill Out a Delaware Marriage License: Samples & FAQs

 

1. How to Fill Out a Delaware Marriage License (for the Officiant / Officiator)

 

It’s the couple’s responsibility to purchase a marriage license before the wedding day, and the wedding officiant’s responsibility to complete and return the marriage license after the wedding ceremony. 

 

In Delaware, the marriage license includes three (3) copies; each of these must be filled out legibly by the Officiant / Officiator and signed by the witnesses. 

 

Related: Officiant Training: Understanding the Wedding License Process

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Here are a few pointers from the New Castle County & Sussex County Clerk of the Peace offices to help you get started:

 

• The Officiant / Officiator is responsible for filling out all three (3) copies of the marriage license: 

 

The original top copy of the marriage license is given to the couple immediately after the ceremony. 

 

The second copy must be mailed to the issuing Clerk of the Peace office within 15 days of the wedding. Holidays and weekends are included in this 15 day count; you are strongly encouraged to mail this portion immediately after the ceremony.

 

The third copy of the marriage license (the file copy) is the Officiator's Copy, and must be kept in your personal records for at least one full year following the ceremony (per Delaware state law). 

 

• The officiant must check the dates on the marriage license to confirm that it’s valid: the 24 hour waiting period has passed, and the 30 day expiration date has not passed. 

 

• Two witnesses must be present at the ceremony and sign all three copies of the license. The officiant cannot serve as a witness. 

 

Learn more: Who Can Be a Witness for a Wedding & How Do You Choose?

 

• Write the exact date and time for the ceremony on the license, including “a.m.” or “p.m.”

 

• Please write “Minister” as your title if you are ordained with American Marriage Ministries. Do not use “officiant,” “officiator,” “Mrs.”, etc. as your title. 

 

More Info: AMM FAQs: What is My Title Once I Get Ordained Online?

 

• From Sussex County Clerk of the Peace: “If this is the first wedding you have officiated in Sussex County, please send a copy of your credentials.” 

 

Please note that AMM Ministers must register their credentials with the Clerk before officiating their first wedding to avoid the risk of a license being denied, and to align with state law. If you perform a wedding without registering, you may not be allowed to perform any further weddings in the state.

 

• Officiators are charged a $50 late fee if a marriage license is received after the 15 day window; officiators with existing unpaid late fees cannot perform ceremonies in the State of Delaware. 

 

• A few “do nots” to avoid: Do not tear off the perforated section at the bottom of the marriage license form; Do not use the address of the wedding location for the Officiator's business address; Do not leave any required information fields blank or the license will be returned; Do not write the wedding date in the spaces marked ‘Witness Date of Birth.” (via New Castle County Clerk of the Peace)

 

Check out the helpful resource from the Sussex County Clerk included below for more advice!  

Above: These instructions for the officiator (provided to AMM by the Clerk of the Peace) describe how to fill out a Sussex County DE marriage license, with helpful advice on what to do and not do when signing the license. 

 

 

2. Delaware Marriage License Example

 

Below is an example of an older Delaware marriage license – it’s important to note that newer versions of the license may ask for an Officiant / Officiator’s state-issued personal registration number, which is provided to you during the minister registration process.

 

Your marriage license will not look identical to this one, as it is a retired version of the form. This sample is intended for general educational purposes only. 

 

The Officiator’s portion is highlighted in green, and the witness portion is highlighted in yellow. These sections must be completed on all 3 pages of the marriage license form. It’s the officiant’s responsibility to ensure the witnesses complete their sections correctly. Please contact your local clerk’s office with questions, and follow your clerk’s instructions carefully. 

Above: A general example of a Deleware marriage license. Be sure to complete all three pages of the license, along with two adult witnesses. 

 

 

3. What if You Make a Mistake on a DE Marriage License?

 

If you make a mistake while filling out the marriage license – such as a misspelled name or incorrect date – contact the clerk’s office directly to ask what steps should be taken to correct the error. Do not use white-out or corrective tape. Depending on the type / extent of the error, the couple may need to purchase a replacement license to fill out again with accurate information. 

 

Since different counties have different steps to take to correct various types of errors, we recommend you contact the clerk’s office directly with your questions. This will be the simplest way to handle any issues that come up.

 

How to correct or amend a Delaware marriage license after it’s filed

 

To amend a Delaware marriage certificate after it's filed, contact the specific county office where the license was filed for specific instructions. You will likely need to file a “Petition to Amend Marriage Record” with the Vital Records office, provide supporting documentation for the correction and pay a small fee for a certified copy of the Amended Marriage Certificate. 

 

 

4. Can I Officiate a Wedding in Delaware?

 

Yes! Delaware recognizes online ordination for wedding officiants. This means that people who are ordained online through a reputable and recognized church, including American Marriage Ministries (AMM), can officiate weddings in Delaware and sign the marriage license. Click the link below to get ordained with AMM today. 

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After getting ordained, all new ministers must register their credentials with the Clerk of the Peace before performing a marriage ceremony. Registration is an essential part of the process – state law dictates that officiants who do not register before the wedding will face suspension or revocation of authorization to solemnize any further marriages in the state. 

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A word of caution: If your officiant is ordained online with a church other than American Marriage Ministries, it’s important to verify their minister credentials before they perform your wedding ceremony: 

 

• How to Tell if Your Officiant Can Perform a Legal Wedding

 

 

5. How Much is a Marriage License in DE?

 

Marriage license prices may vary slightly by county, and sometimes increase to keep up with state budget costs. For the most-current Delaware marriage license cost, click the link below, or contact your local clerk’s office:

 

• How Much Does a Marriage License Cost?

 

 

6. How Long Does it Take to Get a Marriage License in DE? (Waiting Period)

 

The amount of time you spend in the clerk’s office will vary depending on where you apply for your license. After your application is approved, you must wait 24 hours before using your marriage license. This is called the “marriage license waiting period,” and may be waived for some couples in specific circumstances.

 

• Learn more about the marriage waiting period and waivers: State-by-state marriage waiting periods should be part of your wedding plan

 

Related: How to Get Married in Delaware - Planning a wedding in The First State

 

 

7. How Long is a Marriage License Good For in DE?

 

The amount of time your marriage license is valid is called the “expiration period.” This is the number of days or months you have to use your license after it’s issued – your ceremony must take place within this timeframe. In Delaware, this period is usually 30 days, but extensions of 30, 60, or 90 days may be available for an additional fee. Contact your clerk for the most up-to-date expiration information, and to ask about extensions.

 

• Marriage License Waiting Period, Expiration, and Return
• See all DE marriage license laws 

 

 

8. Where Do I Get a Copy of a Marriage Certificate in DE?

 

You have a few options for purchasing certified copies of your marriage license:

 

• Order a copy directly from the issuing office (in person by appointment)
• Order a copy from the Delaware State Office of Vital Statistics (in person, online, or by mail)
• Order a copy from the issuing county’s Marriage Bureau (complete a “Request for Certified Copies” form and mail it to the bureau’s office, along with a self-addressed and stamped envelope)

 

If you need a replacement copy of a marriage license before it’s been filed (to replace a lost or damaged marriage license, for example), contact the issuing office directly for next steps. 

 

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More Wedding Officiant Advice from AMM

 

• How to Officiate a Wedding For the First Time
   
• Wedding Officiant Do's & Don't's
   
• The Officiant Timeline
   
• What to Wear (and Not Wear) as a Wedding Officiant

 

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