{"id":1627,"name":"Delaware City","state_id":12,"county_id":689,"created_at":"2019-08-20T10:31:33.123-07:00","updated_at":"2023-10-11T05:55:58.411-07:00","meta_description":"learn how to legally officiate and plan wedding ceremonies in Delaware City, Delaware Learn about online ordination, marriage licenses, venue booking tips, ceremony planning and more.","head_tag":"A guide for officiating weddings and planning ceremonies in Delaware","tagline":"Why the Diamond State is a true gem...","intro_section":"\u003cp\u003eWhen you think of Delaware, you may not think \u0026ldquo;dream wedding destination,\u0026rdquo; but the fact that it\u0026rsquo;s not a big tourist stop on the East Coast is one of the Diamond State\u0026rsquo;s biggest strengths.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nDelaware\u0026rsquo;s low density population means lower vendor prices for you, so your budget will go farther. Plus, its collection of spread out venues offer a more exclusive vibe than an urban setting ever could, yet the state is still easily accessible by all the nearby metropolises, so your spread-out guests won\u0026rsquo;t have too much trouble coming out for your big day.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nBut the cherry on top? There\u0026rsquo;s no sales tax in the state, which will save you thousands of dollars on your venue rental. It\u0026rsquo;s truly the mid-Atlantic region\u0026rsquo;s best kept secret in the wedding world. (Don\u0026rsquo;t tell!)\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nIf you\u0026rsquo;re getting hitched yourself or you\u0026rsquo;ve been asked to perform a wedding ceremony in Delaware, you\u0026rsquo;ve come to the right place. We have all the need-to-know legal info (and some bonus tips) for both the couple and the officiant right here in our guide. Let\u0026rsquo;s get into it!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","officiant_section":"\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLet\u0026rsquo;s start with the ordainment process. In Delaware, \u0026ldquo;a clergyperson or minister of any religion\u0026rdquo; may perform a marriage, and that includes ministers of AMM. If you\u0026rsquo;ve been asked to officiate a wedding ceremony, you can \u003ca href=\"/ordination-application\"\u003eget ordained \u003c/a\u003ewith us for free in just a few minutes!\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn Delaware, ministers are not required to register their credentials with the government, so once you\u0026rsquo;ve finished the online ordination process, you\u0026rsquo;re legally capable of performing weddings in the state! But before you perform your first ceremony, there\u0026rsquo;s some prep work to do first if you really want to impress the guests.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in New Castle County\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow that the easy part is out of the way, we can help you prepare for the wedding ceremony itself. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor, but can feel like a lot of pressure. You will appreciate our wedding training pages, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nHere you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nSTEP 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes time to obtain the marriage license, it\u0026rsquo;s the couple\u0026rsquo;s responsibility to apply and pick it up from the government center. As the officiant, your job is to help the couple fill it out, notarize it, and file it on their wedding day.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nAfter the wedding, head down to the government center at 87 Read\u0026rsquo;s Way as soon as you can so that the government can record the marriage. There is no specified deadline in which the officiant must return the license, but just make sure that you do it ASAP to avoid an eventual fine.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nOnce you\u0026rsquo;ve turned it in, you\u0026rsquo;re all good! Pat yourself on the back for a job well done.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","couple_section":"\u003ch3\u003eFile for the Marriage License from the New Castle Government Center\u0026rsquo;s Office\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nNow let\u0026rsquo;s turn our attention to the couple\u0026rsquo;s responsibilities. You can start the application process for the marriage license \u003ca href=\"https://gen.gocertificates.com/GUI/DENCCDisclaimer.aspx?Item=ML\u0026amp;wa=XhH0Bb7mPD8=\u0026amp;ma=gq/W+Xaa67A%3D\"\u003eonline\u003c/a\u003e, but once you\u0026rsquo;ve completed it, both members of the couple will still need to appear in person to present the New Castle County government center with your identifications and pay the fee.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nSo, head down to 87 Read\u0026#39;s Way in New Castle and when you go, just remember to bring:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eValid state-issued ID (driver\u0026rsquo;s license or passport)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eDivorce or death certificates of previous spouses, if applicable\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e$70 for in-state residents or $120 if neither applicant is a resident of Delaware for the marriage license fee (cash or credit card)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eYour parents\u0026rsquo; birth names and current addresses\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\t\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce the marriage license is in your possession, there is a 24 hour waiting period before you can have your ceremony.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","wedding_tips":"\u003ch3\u003eThe Basics\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith rolling farmlands, forested valleys and beautiful beaches, it\u0026rsquo;s no surprise Delaware is home to some awesome wedding venues. With your New Castle marriage license, you can get married anywhere in Delaware, so feel free to branch out when researching wedding venues. Speaking of which, we have some ideas to kick off your research.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nIf you vacationed every weekend on Rehobeth or Dewey Beach in the summer growing up, why not have your ceremony on the same sands? You just need to contact the local City Hall and complete a beach wedding permit application. Afterward, you could move to one of the nearby hotel or restaurant venues for the reception.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nBut if you\u0026rsquo;d rather stay closer to New Castle, \u003ca href=\"https://thousandacrefarm.com\"\u003eThousand Acre Farm\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;(which is only 110-acres, just FYI) is a great option right on the water, minus the crowds of Rehobeth or Dewey Beach. The interior of its reception barn features exposed brick, unfinished warm wood, a glitzy chandelier and an over-looking mezzanine, setting the scene for a country-theme wedding with a touch of glamour. It also has convenient bridal and groom suites onsite. Catering isn\u0026rsquo;t provided, but the venue has a list of recommended vendors to make your life easier.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nFor the couple dreaming of a regal venue fit for a formal affair, check out the \u003ca href=\"http://www.belmonthall.org/\"\u003eBelmont Hall\u003c/a\u003e, down in Smyrna, just half an hour from Delaware City. The 18th-century manor\u0026rsquo;s manicured grounds, ornate gardens and on-site catering are some of its biggest draws. (Tip: try to get a date in March, when the beautiful weeping cherry trees are in bloom!)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nTransportation\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDelaware is situated near Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and New York via the I-95 and the Amtrak line, so your guests spread throughout the East Coast will be able to make the trip without much trouble. Once in Delaware, you can drive from one end of the state to the other in about two hours. The public transit system \u003ca href=\"https://dartfirststate.com/\"\u003eDART\u003c/a\u003e can get you to many of the high-density areas, so it\u0026rsquo;s worth checking the route map to plan your trip. However, if navigating via bus doesn\u0026rsquo;t seem like a convenient option, using Lyft or Uber -- or taxi, if you prefer -- are always reliable options.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nWeather\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you\u0026rsquo;re from Delaware, you know there\u0026rsquo;s a bit of a difference in weather between Sussex County and New Castle County -- the former has a milder climate in general, while the ladder can be a bit colder and snowier in the winter. But in general, the state has a classic, four-season continental climate. On the whole, the average temperature in the summer months, from end of May to mid-September, is about 75 degrees -- perfect for a wedding. Temperatures along the Atlantic Coast are about 10 degrees warmer in winter and 10 degrees cooler in summer.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","faq":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan we get our marriage license online?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYou can fill out your application online, but both members of the couple must go to the government center to present your IDs and obtain the marriage license before the wedding.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOnce we have the marriage license, when does it expire?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce you\u0026rsquo;ve successfully obtained your marriage license, you must wait 24 hours before you hold your ceremony. After 30 days, it expires.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter the wedding, how do we submit our marriage license?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe officiant is tasked with delivering back to the same county government center in which the couple obtained it.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf we obtain a marriage license in New Castle County, do we have to get married in the same county?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNo, you can use your marriage license anywhere in Delaware, but return it to the same office in which you applied.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","content_live":true,"marriage_licensing_info":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuance Office:\u003c/strong\u003e 87 Read\u0026#39;s Way, New Castle\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFee:\u003c/strong\u003e $70 - 120 (depending on whether or not you are an in-state resident)\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eWaiting Period:\u003c/strong\u003e 24 hours\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eExpiration:\u003c/strong\u003e 30 days\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReturn: \u003c/strong\u003eby Officiant\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","meta_description_esp":null,"head_tag_esp":null,"tagline_esp":null,"intro_section_esp":"","officiant_section_esp":"","couple_section_esp":"","wedding_tips_esp":"","faq_esp":"","content_live_esp":false,"marriage_licensing_info_esp":""}