Introduction to Delaware Divorce Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Delaware Divorce certificate.  Divorce Certificates are a bit more difficult to obtain than Divorce Certificates and Death Certificates.  The main difficulty in obtaining Divorce Certificates is that states have not been registering Divorces for as long as other vital records.  There are some states that still do not register Divorces.  Due to this lack of centralization it is common to contact the county in which the Divorce took place.

Counter to common belief, not everything is a few clicks away on the Internet.  Divorce Certificates are one of the items that you can’t just click some links and get a copy of your Divorce Certificate; this is probably a good thing.  You do not want your Divorce certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Divorce certificate by following the correct procedure.  

Delaware Divorce certificates have been maintained by the Delaware Office of Vital Statistics for individuals divorced in the state of Delaware since 1935.  Prothonotary in county where divorce was granted up to 1975. For divorces granted after 1975, the parties concerned should contact Family Court in county where divorce was granted. Certified copies are not available from the State office.

Delaware Divorce Certificate Authorized Persons

By Delaware state law, Delaware Divorce certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Person Named on the Delaware Divorce Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Delaware Divorce Certificate
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Delaware Divorce Certificate

Delaware Divorce Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

To obtain a Delaware Divorce certificate for genealogy reasons you need to meet one of the above criteria.

Delaware Divorce Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Delaware Divorce Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Delaware Divorce Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Delaware Divorce Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – In Person

In Person in Delaware: You may go to any county health department in the State of Delaware to obtain a certified copy of a Delaware Divorce certificate. Most Delaware Divorce certificates can be issued while you wait.

Delaware Divorce Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Delaware Divorce certificate is $10.00, which includes one certified copy of the Delaware Divorce certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Delaware Divorce certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $10.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Office of Vital Statistics." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.