Delaware Divorce Records
Delaware Divorce Records
Delaware divorce records exist in two separate systems: the Family Court case file (which contains the full proceedings) and the Division of Public Health vital statistics record (which confirms the divorce occurred). Where you request depends on what you need.
Family Court Case Records
The Delaware Family Court maintains the complete case file for every divorce, including the petition, answer, financial disclosures, and the final Decree of Divorce.
To request copies of your own case records, contact the Family Court Records Department at 302-255-2222. You can also visit the clerk's office at any of the three courthouses:
- New Castle County — Leonard L. Williams Justice Center, 500 N. King Street, Wilmington
- Kent County — 400 Court Street, Dover
- Sussex County — 22 The Circle, Georgetown
You'll need your case number and the names of both parties. Certified copies of the decree carry a per-page fee set by the court.
Vital Statistics Records (Division of Public Health)
The Delaware Division of Public Health, Office of Vital Statistics, maintains a registration record for every divorce granted in the state. This record confirms the fact of divorce — parties' names, date, and county — but does not include the full decree text or financial terms.
Vital statistics records are useful when you need proof of divorce for a name change, remarriage, insurance update, or government benefit application.
You can request a certified verification letter through the Division of Public Health by mail or through the VitalChek online service. Processing times are typically 4–6 weeks by mail; VitalChek offers expedited processing for an additional fee.
Which Record Do You Need?
| Purpose | Record Source |
|---|---|
| Proof of divorce for remarriage or name change | Division of Public Health verification letter or certified decree from Family Court |
| Full text of the divorce decree (property division terms, custody order) | Family Court case file |
| Modifying custody, support, or alimony | Family Court — you'll need the original case number |
| Background check or legal proceeding in another state | Certified copy of decree from Family Court |
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Accessing Records From Your Own Divorce
If you were a party to the divorce, you have the right to request your complete case file from the Family Court. If you need records from someone else's divorce, access may be restricted — Delaware Family Court records are not automatically public in the way Superior Court civil cases are.
What the Decree Contains
The Decree of Divorce is the final court order that legally ends the marriage. In Delaware, the court may enter the divorce decree before resolving ancillary matters like property division and alimony. This means you could receive a decree that dissolves the marriage while financial issues are still pending in a separate proceeding.
If your decree includes ancillary orders (property, debt allocation, spousal support), those terms are enforceable as court orders. If you need to modify or enforce them later, you'll file in the same Family Court where the divorce was granted.
Organizing Your Divorce Paperwork
The Delaware Divorce Filing Process Guide includes a document tracking log that helps you keep every filing, response, and court order organized throughout the process — so you have a complete record when the case closes.
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