Q. How do I request my birth or marriage certificate?

Our holdings contain birth records older than 72 years and marriage records older than 50 years. If you were born after 1951 or married after 1973 you need to contact the Office of Vital Statistics at (302) 744-4549 (https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/ss/vitalstats.html). If you were born or married before these years, please contact us directly using archives@delaware.gov or call (302) 744-5000 to obtain a certified copy of your certificate(s).

Q. Where do I get a copy of my divorce decree?

Divorce records are obtained from the county where the divorce was granted.

For Divorces from 1976 to the present, please contact:

Kent County
Family Court
Records Section
400 Court Street
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 672-1000
New Castle County
Family Court
Divorce Unit
500 N. King Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 255-0300
Sussex County
Family Court
Divorce Section
22 The Circle
Georgetown, DE 19947
(302) 855-7400

For Divorces from 1975 and prior please contact:

Kent County
Delaware Public Archives
121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd North
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 744-5000
New Castle County
Prothonotary
Superior Court
500 N. King Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 255-0700
Sussex County
Delaware Public Archives
121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd North
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 744-5000

Q. How do I request a copy of my pardon?

The research room staff can supply you with a certified copy of your pardon if you provide us with your name at the time of the pardon, the year of the pardon, and the Governor who granted your pardon. The cost is $10.00 for each request.

Q. How do I perform genealogical research?

Visit our Research Room for full access to Ancestry.com and various records like birth, marriage, death, land, and newspapers. Not all of our records are digitized, but you can contact us to schedule an appointment to do family history research on-site.

Q. I am looking for Dual Citizenship.

Please read about obtaining Dual Citizenship on our Dual Citizenship Page.

Q. What are your fees?

We do not charge patrons a search fee. Please view our fees on our Duplication Fees Page.

Q. When will the Archives open back up on Saturdays?

The Archives is open Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. We’re closed on weekends and state holidays, and we have no current plans to open on Saturdays.

Q. What photographic records does the Archives have, and how can I obtain copies?

The Delaware Public Archives has over 1 million photographs in its collections. These images date from the 1850s to the present (the majority are from the 1920s to the 1990s) and include views of most aspects of Delaware life.
Some of our collections have been digitized and can be found in our Digital Archives. To view the collections that have not been digitized, you can visit the Research Room.

Q. How can I preserve my family records at home?

Please view our Preservation Basics page for helpful information about preservation at home. We also offer presentations for groups interested in basic preservation.

Q. Do you accept donations?

We accept public donations, which are reviewed quarterly by our Accessions Committee. Please visit our Donations and Accessioning page for information on what material the Archives will accept, the donation process, and more.

Q. How can I use the records at the Delaware Public Archives to research Supply Tax for the purpose of meeting the requirements for induction into the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) or Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)?

Kindly utilize the tax assessments and Treasurer Records (Journal A and Waste Book A) to demonstrate patriotic service. The links for both organizations are here:

Q. How long will it take to receive a response to my inquiry?

We respond to emergency requests received via 302-744-5000 or archives@delaware.gov within 24 hours. General inquiries from the public are answered within three to five business days.

Q. How does the Archives handle harmful and sensitive content??

We are dedicated to continuously reviewing and enhancing our descriptive practices to incorporate more respectful and inclusive terminology when possible. Please see our Harmful Content Advisory for more information.

Q. Can I volunteer at the Archives?

Please visit our Volunteer & Internship Opportunities page for information on volunteering or interning at the Archives and how to apply.

Q. Does the Archives have any job openings?

Check statejobs.delaware.gov, choose State under the Agency/Dept filter, and look for Delaware Public Archives under Work Locations for openings.

Q. Do you offer tours of the Archives?

Yes, call 302-744-5000 or email archives@delaware.gov to arrange a tour for you or your group. We also offer tours tailored for school groups; contact us with your group’s details and interests.


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