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Library of Congress Research Guides

Delaware: Local History & Genealogy Resource Guide

Vital Records

Based on the date of the vital event (birth, death, marriage, divorce), determine whether you are seeking a state, territory, county, or parish level record. If the record you are seeking has been digitized, you can access it online, through the projects described below. If it has not been digitized or if you need a certified copy, contact the appropriate state or county office to view the record.

Timeline of Vital Records

Adoption Records
  • ____ – 1900s: Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the adoption took place (ask for probate records, guardianship records)
  • Catholic baptismal records
  • 1900s – ____: Delaware Family Court
Birth Records
  • 1680 – ____: Card index from church records and newspapers, Delaware Public Archives
  • 1861 – 1863, 1881 – 1930: Delaware Public Archives
  • 1931 – ____: State vital statistics office
Death Records
  • 1680 - ____: Card index from church records and newspapers, Delaware Public Archives
  • 1861 – 1863, 1881 – 1962: Delaware Public Archives
  • 1888 – 1910: Supplemental index, Delaware Public Archives
  • 1963 – ____: State vital statistics office
Marriage Records
  • 1680 – ____: Card index from church records and newspapers, Delaware Public Archives
  • 1774 – 1913: Marriage bonds recorded by county clerks of the peace, at Delaware Public Archives
  • 1847 – 1962: Delaware Public Archives
  • 1963 – ____: State vital statistics office
Divorce Records
  • ____ – 1773: Governor and Council records
  • 1773 – 1832: Superior court
  • 1773 – 1897: Legislature (Published in Laws of the State of Delaware External)
  • 1913 – ____: Registered by courts with the State Registrar
  •  ____ – 1975: Prothonotary clerk of the county superior court
  •  1975 – ____: County family court where divorce was granted

Online Resources for Vital Records

The subscription resources marked with a padlock are available to researchers on-site at the Library of Congress. If you are unable to visit the Library, you may be able to access these resources through your local public or academic library.

Using Ancestry Library Edition for Delaware

Begin your search through Ancestry's vast collections, by viewing the list designated as Delaware records External.

Using FamilySearch for Delaware

FamilySearch provides useful state and county wikis that make excellent starting points for research. The Delaware Wiki External includes links to each of its counties.

FamilySearch has digitized many of its microfilms containing county courthouse records including birth, death, and marriage. Not all records have been indexed yet, so search engine results may NOT show you the full range of FamilySearch data. You must browse the FamilySearch catalog External listings for each county to view the full set of records available. The vast amount of accessible original records is well worth your time to explore.

Obtaining Copies of Vital Records

Contact the Delaware Office of Vital Statistics to learn more about accessing state-level records and explore additional options for obtaining copies.

Published Vital Records

Below are selected print publications for statewide vital records. The following titles link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to additional online content are included when available.

To locate additional published materials, go to the Print Resources section of this guide for search tips on locating published county courthouse records, abstracts, and indexes that may aide you in locating original records at the county level.

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