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New Castle County exact answer

Is there a marriage license waiting period in 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

The published waiting period in New Castle County is 24 hours. The license is handed over at the appointment, but the ceremony cannot take place for 24 hours after issuance. The license itself prints a "Shall not marry before" date and time. Delaware's older split of 24 hours for residents and 96 hours for non-residents is no longer published or in the statute: one 24-hour period now applies to everyone.

Published rule and conditions

Marriage license waiting period
24 hours

The license is handed over at the appointment, but the ceremony cannot take place for 24 hours after issuance. The license itself prints a "Shall not marry before" date and time. Delaware's older split of 24 hours for residents and 96 hours for non-residents is no longer published or in the statute: one 24-hour period now applies to everyone.

Official requirement

A 24-hour waiting period applies after the license is issued.

Issuing office

New Castle County Clerk of the Peace (Marriage Bureau)

Open the issuing office

Official sources for this answer

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

    Both applicants must appear together in person at the scheduled time to complete the process and receive the license. A marriage license cannot be issued solely online — in-person verification is required by law. The license is valid for 30 days, and the ceremony must take place within the State of Delaware. A 24-hour waiting period applies after the license is issued. Marriage license extensions of 30, 60, or 90 days are available for an additional fee. If previously married, the original or a certified copy of the divorce decree, annulment, or death certificate must be presented.

  • 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.

  • 13 Del. C. § 107: Marriage licenses; obtaining and deliveryState of Delaware — Delaware Code Online - checked July 30, 2026

    (a) Persons intending to be married within this State shall obtain a marriage license at least 24 hours prior to the time of the ceremony. (c) A marriage license issued pursuant to this chapter shall entitle the parties thereto, subject to the other provisions of this chapter, to marry within 30 days from the date of its issuance. In the event the marriage ceremony is not performed within 30 days, said license shall be void and the parties must reapply to the appropriate issuing officer for another license to marry. (d) The Clerk of the Peace in each county for good cause being shown may: (1) Shorten the time periods specified in subsection (a) of this section; or (2) Lengthen the time period specified in subsection (c) of this section not to exceed 180 days.

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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