How to Get a Marriage License in Delaware
Delaware marriage license at a glance
- License fee
- $50 (DE residents) / $100 (non-residents)
- Waiting period
- none (license issued; effective day after for residents, immediately for non-residents in practice)
- Minimum age
- 18 (Delaware bans all marriage under 18 — no consent exception)
- Blood test
- no
Delaware is different. marriage under 18 fully banned, no exceptions
Confirm the fee before you go. check the exact, current fee on the issuing county clerk's own fee schedule. This page is informational only and is not legal advice.
Couples seeking a marriage license in Delaware must apply in person at the Clerk of the Peace office in their county. The state maintains a uniform fee schedule: residents pay $50, while non-residents pay $100. Delaware does not impose a waiting period; the license becomes effective the day after issuance for residents and is effective immediately for non-residents in practice. The license remains valid for 30 days from issuance.
To obtain a license, applicants must present a government-issued photo ID and proof of age. Delaware law requires both parties to be at least 18 years old, with no exceptions for parental consent or court approval. Two witnesses aged 18 or older must be present at the marriage ceremony. Blood tests are not required. Applicants should contact the Clerk of the Peace in their county to confirm current fees, exact procedures, and all eligibility requirements before applying, as regulations may change.
What a marriage license actually is
A marriage license is the government document that authorizes your marriage; you apply for it before the ceremony, and once it’s signed and returned it becomes your marriage record. The fee, waiting period and ID rules below are what each state and county sets — always confirm the exact current amount with the issuing clerk.
| Requirement | Delaware |
|---|---|
| License fee | $50 (DE residents) / $100 (non-residents) |
| Fee set by | State (statewide) |
| Waiting period | none (license issued; effective day after for residents, immediately for non-residents in practice) |
| License validity | 30 days |
| ID required | government photo ID; proof of age |
| Residency required | no (residency only changes the fee) |
| Minimum age | 18 (Delaware bans all marriage under 18 — no consent exception) |
| Blood test | no |
| Witnesses | 2 witnesses (18+) |
| Online option | no — apply in person at the Clerk of the Peace |
| Where to apply | Clerk of the Peace (county office, statewide fee schedule) |
| Governing law | Set by state statute — refer to your state’s official statutes and the issuing County Clerk for the governing rule |
Full Delaware requirements → · Fees & waiting → · How to apply → · Look up another state →
Compiled from public-record Delaware marriage law and the issuing agency, verified June 2026. Primary source → · How we compile this. Informational only — not legal advice.