Genealogical and Historical Research Questions:

Please refer all inquiries regarding the records of the State of Delaware(that are not covered in the list below) via the Public Archives email, or mail your request to the above street address.

DAR/SAR/Colonial Dames:

Requests for genealogical purposes or for application to the Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution, Society of Colonial Dames, or other such institution will NOT be handled over the phone, and MUST be submitted via the Public Archives email or mailed to the street address at the top of this page.

Vital Statistics:

For Birth Records from 1934 to the present, you must contact the Office of Vital Statistics.  For records from 1933 and before, please contact the Public Archives via email, or mail your inquiry to the above street address.

For Marriage and Death Records from 1966 to the present, you must contact the Office of Vital Statistics.  For records from 1965 and before, please contact the Public Archives via email, or mail your inquiry to the above street address.

Corporations Records:

For information about businesses and agencies incorporated in Delaware from 1900 to the present, please contact the Division of Corporations. For records from 1899 and before, please contact the Public Archives via email, or mail your inquiry to the above street address.

Authorized Agents (and State Government Employees):

For questions regarding your agency’s records, or to submit Records Services Forms, please contact Records Services section via email (Employees of Delaware State Government only). Additional resources are available here.

Student Records:

Student records are exempt from the freedom of information act and as such are closed to all but the individual student him/herself.  To request student records, you must FIRST CONTACT THE SCHOOL DIRECTLY.  Please contact the Records Officer  for your school for assistance (Schools are listed at the bottom of the page).  Each request for student records must include a signed release form (available from your school or Sharon Cunningham) from the student allowing the records to be released.  The Delaware Public Archives DOES NOT have any student records for PRIVATE SCHOOLS.  If the school whose records you are searching for is no longer in existence, or if you have any additional questions, please contact Sharon Cunningham. 

Historical Markers:

For questions about Delaware’s Historical Markers Program contactThomas Summers . The Delaware Historical Markers program is published here

Public Programming:

The online version of teaching Delaware history with primary sources is published here. For additional information or to schedule a tour of the Public Archives, please contact Thomas Summers.

Special Media:

Submit all inquiries regarding our photographic records to Randy Goss.
Submit all inquiries regarding our audio/visual holdings to Mark Ritter.
Submit all requests for copies of microfilm reels to Barbara Demmons.

Emergency Requests:

For an Emergency Request* please call (302) 744-5000. You will be transferred to an archivist on duty. *Emergency Requests are defined as: Requests for copies of Vital Statistics Certificates in our holdings (Birth Records older than 72 years, Marriage or Death Records older than 40 years) or other state records that are required immediately due to a time-sensitive situation (i.e. impending legal proceeding, international travel, cruise, pension issue, or social security application). Requests for genealogical purposes or application to a societal institution (Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution, Society of Colonial Dames, etc.) will NOT be handled over the phone, and must be submitted via the Public Archives email or mailed to the address listed at the top of the page.