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New Castle County exact answer

Who can perform a marriage ceremony for a license from New Castle County?

This answer belongs to the issuing office and task named above. It does not substitute a statewide summary or infer a rule the office does not publish.

Direct answer

In New Castle County, under 13 Del. C. § 106 a marriage may be solemnized by a clergyperson or minister of any religion registered with the Clerk of the Peace — in the county of residence for Delaware residents, or in the county where the ceremony takes place for out-of-state clergy — and by current or former Delaware judges, federal judges and magistrates with jurisdiction over Delaware, current or former Clerks of the Peace within their own county, and the chief executive officer of an incorporated municipality within its limits. The officiant must not appear on the Clerk's suspended officiator list. The Clerk also performs in-office ceremonies by appointment on Wednesdays and Fridays. In-office ceremonies are limited to ten guests or fewer, no food or drink, and no dressing rooms; couples arriving 30 or more minutes late may have to rebook. Rings and vows can be included if requested in advance. The Clerk also offers vow renewals and heirloom certificates for milestone anniversaries.

Published rule and conditions

Officiant and ceremony rule
Under 13 Del. C. § 106 a marriage may be solemnized by a clergyperson or minister of any religion registered with the Clerk of the Peace — in the county of residence for Delaware residents, or in the county where the ceremony takes place for out-of-state clergy — and by current or former Delaware judges, federal judges and magistrates with jurisdiction over Delaware, current or former Clerks of the Peace within their own county, and the chief executive officer of an incorporated municipality within its limits. The officiant must not appear on the Clerk's suspended officiator list. The Clerk also performs in-office ceremonies by appointment on Wednesdays and Fridays.

In-office ceremonies are limited to ten guests or fewer, no food or drink, and no dressing rooms; couples arriving 30 or more minutes late may have to rebook. Rings and vows can be included if requested in advance. The Clerk also offers vow renewals and heirloom certificates for milestone anniversaries.

Official requirement

In-office ceremonies are performed by appointment only on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Issuing office

New Castle County Clerk of the Peace (Marriage Bureau)

Open the issuing office

Official sources for this answer

  • License & Ceremony FAQsNew Castle County Clerk of the Peace - checked July 30, 2026

    Both parties must be 18 years of age or older and not related to each other. Both parties must appear in person to verify their valid, government-issued photo ID. After IDs are verified, three copies of the license are provided to the marrying couple. The license is valid for 30 days unless either party appears in person for an extension. There is a 24-hour wait period after the license is issued before getting married. If either party is active-duty military or critically ill, the wait period can be waived. The marriage ceremony must take place in the State of Delaware to be legal. The ceremony must have two witnesses present that are 18 years or older. Officiators must mail the second copy of the license within 15 days to Clerk of the Peace.

  • Fees ScheduleNew Castle County Clerk of the Peace - checked July 30, 2026

    Party A and/or Party B is a DE Resident Marriage License Application $70.00. Both Parties are NOT DE Residents Marriage License Application $120.00. Marriage License Processing Fee $5.00. Marriage License Extension Fee (30 days) $25.00. Marriage License Extension Fee (60 days) $50.00. Marriage License Extension Fee (90 days) $75.00. Certified Copy of Marriage License $25.00. Officiator Late Return Fee $50.00.

  • CeremoniesNew Castle County Clerk of the Peace - checked July 30, 2026

    The couple must provide two witnesses, each at least 18 years of age. The couple and both witnesses must present a valid government-issued photo I.D. at check-in on the day of the ceremony. The I.D. must include the individual's date of birth. Acceptable Forms of Identification: Valid state I.D. or driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles; Passport; Military I.D. (Active Duty); Government-issued Consulate I.D.

Answer boundary

MarriageLicenseCheck is an independent reference, not the issuing office or legal advice. Applicant facts, timing, prior marriages, and document type can change the result. The official office decides what it will accept.

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