Delaware Covid Wedding Regulations

ONLINE WEDDING CEREMONIES

Online weddings are not allowed in Delaware.

COVID RESTRICTIONS FOR COUPLES & MINISTERS

Delaware has fully reopened since COVID-19, however, face coverings are still required in state facilities and may also be required at some wedding venues.

MARRIAGE LICENSES & THE TOWN CLERK

At the moment, many Town Clerk's Offices in Delaware operating with modified schedules. Please plan accordingly, as hours may have changed or an appointment may be necessary. The Twelfth Modification of the Delaware State of Emergency Declaration authorized Town Clerks to accept online marriage license applications.

Couples can temporarily apply for a marriage license online or in-person in Delaware. However, licensing requirements have not changed, and online applicants must present physical copies of ID for visual verification. Couples should contact a Town Clerk's Office to schedule an appointment, whether they plan to apply online or in-person.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

These policy changes are temporary and tied to the Covid-19 pandemic, and will remain in effect until the public health crisis is over.

Contact your Town Clerk's Office for more information. You can review Delaware's policy order here:

Twelfth Modification: State of Emergency Declaration

COVID-19, social distancing, travel bans, lockdowns… Many couples are being forced to downsize their wedding plans and for many guests, the only way to attend is with their computers and mobile phones.

If your guest list is shrinking to just the couple and officiant, or maybe just the couple, Delaware marriage laws regulate who must be in attendance, and how the ceremony is conducted. Here are some options to help adapt your wedding plans in Delaware to celebrate a COVID safe wedding.

Virtual Weddings vs. Livestream Ceremonies in Delaware

For the sake of clarity, we differentiate virtual wedding ceremonies (or Zoom/Skype ceremonies) from livestream ceremonies by who is in attendance. If the officiant is officiating the vows from another place via video, then we call that a virtual or Zoom ceremony, since the people involved in the ceremony are interacting over whatever video platform is chosen.

However, if the couple and the officiant are present, but guests are watching remotely, we call that a livestream wedding since the ceremony itself is happening in one physical place. You can read more about what distinguishes each option here.

How can we celebrate a legally valid live streamed ceremony in Delaware

You can livestream any activity or event, and it doesn't matter where you are in Delaware, what you're doing or how many people are physically present with you. Some of the most popular platforms include Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, Facebook Live, and Instagram Live.

As long as you have a tripod and a phone with a good camera on it, your guests will be able to participate remotely. Many of these platforms even allow guests to comment, chat, and interact in other ways.

We realize that this is not always ideal, but ultimately, if couples choose to move forward with scaled down weddings and smaller guests lists, these communications platforms let friends and family around the world know that they are still being thought of.

For folks planning on livestreaming their nuptials, Here's How to Livestream Your Wedding.