How to officiate a wedding in Delaware
Covers all 3 Local Marriage Recording Jurisdictions in Delaware under 13 Del. C. §§ 106 & 107.
Calculate your exact filing & ceremony dates
- Step 1 • Church Ordination ($0)Complete Agape Ecclesiastical Ordination for Delaware
Obtain your permanent Agape Registry Credential ID and printable digital Certificate of Ordination ($0, zero renewal fees).
Sun, Nov 15, 2026 - 30 Days Before CeremonyConfirm Local Clerk Ink & Return Rules (County Clerk of the Peace (New Castle, Kent, or Sussex County))
Under 13 Del. C. § 106(b), ministers must register with the Delaware County Clerk of the Peace before the wedding to obtain a personal registration number required on the marriage certificate (and couples must observe a 24-hour waiting period after license issuance).
Mon, Nov 30, 2026 - 21 Days Before CeremonyComplete Couple Questionnaire & Finalize Ceremony Script
Send the 10-question Couple Interview Link, confirm personal vows vs. repeat-after-me vows, and print your script in large altar type.
Wed, Dec 9, 2026 - Waiting Period Buffer (24 hours)Couple Secures Delaware Marriage License & Certificate
Ensure the couple obtains their Delaware Marriage License & Certificate early enough to clear Delaware’s waiting period (24 hours) without expiring before ceremony day.
Wed, Dec 23, 2026 - Within 15 Days After CeremonyReturn Signed Delaware Marriage License & Certificate to County Clerk of the Peace (New Castle, Kent, or Sussex County)
Witness Rule: Under 13 Del. C. § 106(a)(4), marriages must be solemnized in the presence of at least 2 reputable witnesses age 18 or older who legibly sign the certificate of marriage.. Deliver in person or via tracked mail before Thu, Jan 14, 2027.
Thu, Jan 14, 2027
Three separate parts of a Delaware wedding (13 Del. C. §§ 106 & 107)
DELAWARE CLERK OF THE PEACE CLERGY REGISTRY RULE: Under 13 Del. C. § 106(a)(2) & (b), a clergyperson or minister of any religion (age 18+) MUST register with the county Clerk of the Peace prior to officiating—in their county of residence if living in Delaware, or in the county where the ceremony will be performed if residing out of state (New Castle County provides an online portal; Kent and Sussex Counties coordinate registration through the Clerk of the Peace office). Upon registration, you receive a personal Clerk of the Peace registration number that MUST be written on every Delaware marriage certificate you sign. Note the mandatory 24-hour waiting period before the ceremony (13 Del. C. § 107), 30-day license validity, and 15-day return deadline. Verify local fee schedules and registration steps directly with the Clerk of the Peace.
4 clear steps before ceremony day in Delaware
- Complete free ecclesiastical ordination ($0): Apply online in under a minute to receive your Agape Registry Credential ID and printable digital certificate—with no annual renewal fees.
- Complete any required local clerk registration early: Confirm with the issuing County Clerk of the Peace (New Castle, Kent, or Sussex County) whether they request to inspect a printed credential or have county-specific signing instructions.
- Prepare and rehearse the ceremony: Take our free 6-lesson first-time officiant course and customize a word-for-word script at /ceremony-scripts.
- Execute & return the couple’s marriage license on time: Follow Delaware’s witness rule (under 13 del. c. § 106(a)(4), marriages must be solemnized in the presence of at least 2 reputable witnesses age 18 or older who legibly sign the certificate of marriage.) and return the signed license to the issuing County Clerk of the Peace (New Castle, Kent, or Sussex County) within the statutory deadline (typically 15 days—confirm exact deadline printed on the couple’s license packet).
Major Delaware local recording offices
All Delaware Local Recording Offices (3)
Check Delaware deadlines & apply free ($0)
No ordination fee • No annual renewal fee • Includes 6-lesson officiant course