Vital Records Online (VRO), a US-based service, offers a secure and simple platform for obtaining Connecticut’s birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates online. Your documents will be safely delivered with guaranteed confidentiality.
Summary:
Delaware, “the First State,” was the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution and had a population of just over 1 million residents.
Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is a hospital and health care company located at 1901 N. Dupont Hwy, New Castle. The Office of Vital Statistics (VS) maintains the confidential and legal status of all birth, adoption, death, fetal death, marriage, and divorce records.
The individual named on the birth certificate, a parent, an adult child or sibling, a legal guardian, or an authorized agent may request a certified copy of the certificate. A husband, wife, parent, adult child, or legal representative may order a death certificate. The person named on the marriage certificate, spouse, parent, adult child, other family relative, or legal representative may request a marriage certificate copy.
Learn how to obtain certified copies of official Delaware vital records, including birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates. Find out what information they contain, where to obtain them, how they are used, and how to get certified copies.
Start Your Application Online for DE Vital Records
Request a certified copy of live birth for your baby or child.
Obtain marriage records for yourself or a family member.
Get an original copy of a death certificate replacement for a lost record.
Births, deaths, divorce, and marriages are cornerstones of life, and vital records serve as official documentation of these events. These certificates are used to prove identity, citizenship, and family ties. They are also utilized in settling legal disputes, claiming inheritances, and researching ancestry. They can provide valuable information about your ancestors’ full names, dates of birth and death, and places of residence. If you have misplaced or lost a birth, marriage, divorce, or death certificate, file a police report immediately and request a certified replacement.
Every county in the state of Delaware issues and certifies vital records that occur within its jurisdiction. If you are seeking a replacement for vital records, search the comprehensive list below for each Delaware county’s vital records-issuing agency, where you can access contact information and online birth, death, divorce, and marriage certificate applications.
❗️If you’re seeking ancestral records for genealogy research in Delaware, they are freely available.
Visiting the Vital Records Office
Ordering Vital Records Online
Delaware residents have several options for obtaining their vital records. In-person and mail-in applications are possible at county offices, but ordering online is the most efficient and reliable way to acquire certified copies. The Delaware Health and Social Services – Division of Public Health (DHSS-DPH) provides detailed guidelines and eligibility requirements for obtaining certified birth, death, divorce, and marriage certificates.
It is essential to check the associated costs, eligibility criteria, requirements, and processing times for certified vital records copies from the DHSS-DPH. The type of certificate you need and the ordering method can influence the time it takes to process your request.
Ordering Delaware vital records online with VRO is quick and easy and involves 2 simple steps:
(Choose additional options if you need to insure, expedite, or obtain premium customer support for your application.)
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can submit an online application to order a Delaware birth, death, divorce, or marriage certificate. Before starting the online application process, confirm that you have the necessary documents.
VRO is an innovative, streamlined system that helps you gather the required documents and submit your application to the Delaware Dept. of Health and Social Services (DHSS).
✔︎ Additional copies of your certified vital records can be purchased for the state’s fee during the online application to save future costs.
✔︎ Learn more about how the online ordering and premium handling process works.
If you live near the Delaware Department of Health or a vital records-issuing county health office, you can make an in-person request. Be sure to check the office’s opening hours, and be aware that you may find long lines when you arrive. You can avoid these inconveniences by applying online, by mail, or by telephone.
The requirements for requesting vital records are similar whether you prefer to apply in person, by mail, or online. When ordering in person, the application will include the following steps:
Additionally, by mail, you will need the following:
❗️To avoid denying your application due to mistakes or incomplete information, review the requirements for each vital record before mailing it.
❗️Ensure that your documents, application, and payment are submitted to the correct health department that issues certified copies of the preserved original record.
❗️If you mail your application and documents manually, it is recommended to purchase mail tracking to confirm their arrival at the correct office.
It’s crucial to understand the eligibility criteria and requirements for the specific vital records certificate you are requesting before gathering the documents for your application.
Proof of Identity for Verifying Authorization
The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services – Division of Public Health (DHSS-DPH) requires all applicants to provide proof of identity. The table below shows the documents and necessary information to order certified vital records copies in Delaware. Two forms of secondary ID may be accepted if you cannot provide a valid primary ID.
What Documents Are Required to Order Vital Records in Delaware?
The DHSS-DPH has unique criteria for requesting birth, death, divorce, or marriage certificates. These requirements can vary, depending on certificate type and personal circumstances.
Familiarizing yourself with the requirements for requesting vital records is necessary before collecting the required documents for your vital records application.
What Information is Required to Apply for Vital Records in Delaware?
When applying for a vital record in Delaware, applicants must provide key identifying information related to the record type. This may include names, dates, locations, and other relevant details to ensure accurate identification and processing of the request.
Certificate Required Information
Birth Certificate
Date of Birth, Daytime Phone Number, Email, Full Name of Person of Record, Mailing Address, Parents Names, Place of Birth, Sex, Your Name, Your Relationship to the Person of Record, Your Signature
Death Certificate
Date of Death, Daytime Phone Number, Email, Father's Name at Birth, Full Name of Person of Record, Mailing Address, Mother's Name at Birth, Place of Death, Sex, Your Name, Your Relationship to the Person of Record, Your Signature
Marriage Certificate
Bride's Name Before Marriage, Date of Marriage, Daytime Phone Number, Email, Groom Name Before Marriage, Groom's Date of Birth, Mailing Address, Place of Marriage, Your Name, Your Relationship to the Person of Record
Divorce Certificate
Not Restricted
Who can request vital records in Delaware?
The person on record can request certified copies of their vital records. If you need to request vital records on another person’s behalf, it is important to examine the requirements for birth, death, divorce, and marriage certificates to verify your eligibility.
Relatives of the individual on record or legal representatives may lawfully request copies of vital records as defined by the DHSS-DPH. Legal representatives or family members must provide proof of their authorization to act on behalf of the individual on record.
| Certificate | Authorized People |
|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | Self, Parent, Child, Spouse |
| Death Certificate | Self, Son, Daughter, Father, Mother, Spouse |
| Marriage Certificate | Self, Parent, Child, Legal Guardian |
| Divorce Certificate | Self, Parent, Child, Legal Guardian |
✔︎ If you can provide documentation of legal interest or hold a Power of Attorney from the person on record, you are eligible to request the vital record for that person.
❗️In Delaware, when a third-party legal representative requests a birth, death, divorce, or marriage certificate on behalf of their client, a notarized statement is not explicitly required.
❗️Third-Party with Legal or Authorized Representatives Must include a letter from the OVS legal template.
Do I need a notary with my application?
The Delaware Health Department generally does not require applicants to prove their identity by notarizing a statement with their vital records application.
The costs for obtaining vital records certificates vary depending on the fees defined by the DHSS-DPH for each record type and the preferred application method.
The DHSS-DPH charges a $25.00 fee for each certified copy of birth, death, and marriage certificates. When you order your records through VRO, the Application Filing Service starts at $29.
| Certificate | First Copy Fee | Additional Copy Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Death Certificate | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Marriage Certificate | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Divorce Certificate | Varies by county | Varies by county |
✔︎ Additional copies can be requested during the same order to save future costs in case your vital records are lost, destroyed, or stolen.
VitalRecordsOnline.com processing fee is $29.
How long will it take to receive my vital records from Delaware?
Processing times for replacing birth, death, divorce, or marriage certificates may vary depending on various circumstances. Check the current processing and delivery times below.
| Certificate | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | 2 to 5 weeks |
| Death Certificate | 2 to 5 weeks |
| Marriage Certificate | 2 to 5 weeks |
| Divorce Certificate | Varies by county |
❗️A simple error, typo, or missing document can cause wait times to double, repeat shipping costs, or expose personal information.
When you make your vital records request through VRO, you can view your order status to monitor the processing of your application. Once the application packet has shipped, you can track its journey to the Delaware Department of Public Health & Environment (DHSS-DPH) with first-class mail tracking.
If you mail your application packet manually to the Delaware Department of Public Health & Environment, purchase first-class mail tracking to confirm its successful delivery. The DHSS-DPH ships all documents to the requester’s home address using first-class mail services for extra security. However, in the event of a lost or misdirected certificate, the health department cannot be held responsible. If you lose your birth certificate, you must file a report immediately.
❓ Find more frequently asked questions below the Delaware County office locations directory.
| Address | Hours | Online Application |
|
(DHSS-DPH) Delaware has 3 Offices of Vital Statistics: JESSE S. COOPER BLDG CHOPIN BUILDING THURMAN ADAMS STATE SERV CTR Mailing Address: JESSE S. COOPER BLDG. |
Monday to Fridays at 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m (all offices) | Birth Certificate Death Certificate Marriage Certificate |
|
Kent County |
Birth Certificate Death Certificate Marriage Certificate | |
|
New Castle County |
Birth Certificate Death Certificate Marriage Certificate | |
|
Sussex County |
Birth Certificate Death Certificate Marriage Certificate | |
Apostilles are necessary for vital records to be accepted by foreign governments. Apostilles can be acquired through the DHSS-DPH Delaware Secretary of State.
How can I get an apostille for vital records?
Apostilles are only issued by the Secretary of State for vital records initially created and certified by the health department or online through VRO.
VRO provides apostille services for all 50 US states, is recognized by governments and organizations, and is legally valid in over 100 countries. VRO provides apostille services for birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates. The apostille service costs $149 (plus government fees) and can be completed in three steps.
Once your apostille document is ready, we will mail it to you via FedEx or DHL. It doesn’t matter if you live in the U.S. or not—we use global shipping companies to deliver your documents anywhere.
If you are manually sending your certificates, you will need to provide the following information:
❗️A notarized statement is not explicitly required when requesting an apostille for a Delaware birth, marriage, or death certificate.
You must submit requests for vital record apostilles to the DHSS-DPH Delaware Secretary of State at the following addresses:
For express shipping (UPS, DHL, or Federal Express), submit the request to the physical address:
Delaware Secretary of State Division of Corporations
John G Townsend Building
401 Federal Street
Dover, DE 19901
For standard mail, use the following address:
Division of Corporations
PO Box 898
Dover, DE 19903
You can reach the office at (302) 739-3073 or https://corp.delaware.gov/apost_info/
The DHSS-DPH provides a straightforward process for correcting or amending birth, marriage, or death certificates as authorized by law. Different forms correspond to the information that needs to be amended. Amendments are necessary when a vital record requires an alteration. Additions to the vital records take the form of supplementary modifications, as no entity can change the original certificate.
Correcting or amending vital records usually will require the following:
Learn more about correcting or amending birth, death, and marriage certificates.
Where can I search for free public records?
Delaware Vital Records are made accessible to the public after 72 years. While public vital records are available free of charge, searching for them can be difficult. You can search publicly available records of births, marriages, deaths, and divorces to find the information you are searching for. However, analyzing and reviewing the records may take a substantial time.
Are Delaware Vital Records Open to the Public?
In Delaware, many state records are open to the public. Access can be restricted depending on the type of vital record and the year when the birth, death, or marriage occurred.
Third-party websites can simplify exploring different types of vital records. Generally, these websites do not have geographical restrictions, providing a good starting point for searching and examining records. However, information from external sources may differ from official government records. To find a record from a third-party website, the requester can expect to prepare general information, including:
Delaware residents have the right to inspect or obtain copies of public vital records under the Delaware Freedom of Information Act.
Vital records vary across states, counties, and municipalities. Examine the document’s appearance based on its issuing agency to verify the authenticity of your birth, death, divorce, or marriage certificate.
Authorized Copy:
Authorized copies of vital records are only issued by the appropriate governmental agency, such as the Department of Health and Social Services – Division of Public Health in Delaware, to individuals with a “direct and tangible interest” in the document. This typically includes the individual named on the record, certain family members, and legal representatives. These copies often have a raised seal or other security features to confirm their authenticity. Authorized vital records are considered official documents that can be used for official identification or legal purposes.
Informational Copy:
In contrast, informational copies are not valid for establishing identity. They are typically marked with a statement such as “Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity.” These copies are generally available to anyone requesting the information. They cannot be used for legal purposes.
Citizens of Delaware can inspect and receive copies of public records in accordance with the Delaware Freedom of Information Act. Find more references regarding birth, death, divorce, and marriage certificates in the resources section.
Visit the official Delaware government website at https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/ss/vitalstats.html
