By Distant Vows | Updated 2026
If you are trying to figure out how to get married online in Delaware, you will quickly discover that Delaware still relies on an in-person clerk of the peace system with a mandatory waiting period and a ceremony requirement that the wedding must take place within the state. Both partners must appear together at their county clerk of the peace office, provide identification, and wait at least 24 hours before the license can be used. Non-resident couples face a 96-hour waiting period instead.
The license is only valid for 30 days and the ceremony must be held within Delaware. By using Utah’s fully legal online marriage system through Distant Vows, Delaware couples can get married online in Delaware 100% virtually and receive a U.S. marriage certificate that is valid in Delaware and all 50 states.
How Delaware Marriage Usually Works if You Do Not Get Married Online in Delaware
Delaware marriages are handled at the county level through the clerk of the peace, a unique Delaware office that combines functions handled by county clerks or registrars in other states. Couples apply for a marriage license at the clerk of the peace office in New Castle County, Kent County, or Sussex County. There is no residency requirement to apply in a specific county, and a Delaware marriage license is valid statewide. Both applicants must appear together in person, provide valid photo identification, and pay the license fee. The fee is $70 if at least one applicant is a Delaware resident, and $120 if neither applicant lives in Delaware.
The waiting period is one of Delaware’s most distinctive marriage requirements. Resident couples must wait 24 hours after filing their application before the license can be used for a ceremony. Non-resident couples face a 96-hour waiting period, which is among the longest for non-residents of any state in the country. The clerk of the peace may waive the waiting period for good cause, but this requires a separate application and is not guaranteed. Once issued, the license expires 30 days from the date of application, and the ceremony must take place within the state of Delaware.
Delaware also requires a certified third-party translator to be present at the application if one of the applicants does not speak English. If either applicant was previously married, they must bring an original or certified copy of their divorce decree or death certificate. Photocopies are not accepted. These documentation requirements can create additional hurdles for international couples or anyone whose prior marriage records are held abroad.
Delaware does not recognize common-law marriage. Two people can live together in Delaware for any number of years and have no legal marital status without a formal ceremony and license. This makes a formal marriage certificate especially important for long-term Delaware couples who want legal protections for insurance, inheritance, hospital visitation rights, and immigration purposes.
Are Online Weddings Allowed Directly if You Want to Get Married Online in Delaware?
Sussex County has introduced a limited online pre-application tool that allows couples to begin the paperwork before their in-person visit. However, both partners must still appear together at the clerk of the peace office to finalize the license in person, and the 24-hour or 96-hour waiting period cannot be skipped regardless of how the application was started. The ceremony must still take place within Delaware under Delaware law.
Delaware does not currently operate a statewide system where the legal marriage can be created entirely over video without using a Delaware license and an in-state ceremony. That is why couples who want to get married online in Delaware often choose to marry under Utah law via a real-time video ceremony, then use their Utah marriage certificate in Delaware. You still live and celebrate in Delaware, but you get married online in Delaware through Utah’s modern, virtual-first legal framework.
4 Steps to Get Married Online in Delaware with Distant Vows
Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility
First, you confirm that you and your partner meet Utah’s basic requirements and complete the Distant Vows intake form. You both must be 18 or older, not currently married to anyone else, and able to join a live video call together. This is the foundation that lets you get married online in Delaware in a way that is fully valid under Utah law.
- Confirm you are legally free to marry, meaning single, divorced, or widowed.
- Gather valid government-issued photo IDs such as a Delaware driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID.
- Make sure you have a stable internet connection and a device with audio and video so you can comfortably get married online in Delaware.
Step 2: Choose Your Package and Ceremony Date
Next, you choose a Distant Vows package and select a ceremony date and time that works for your schedule in Wilmington, Dover, Newark, Middletown, or anywhere else in Delaware. You can keep the ceremony short and legal, or personalize it with custom vows, readings, and guests watching online as you get married online in Delaware.
- Select a basic legal ceremony or a more personalized experience.
- Pick a time that works for your time zone and any guests joining from Delaware or overseas.
- Let us know if you need witness support, special wording, or language assistance.
Step 3: Apply for Your Utah Online Marriage License
After you pick your date, you complete a Utah online marriage license application. Utah County’s system lets you submit everything digitally including your personal information, ID uploads, and signatures. You never have to visit a Utah courthouse, you do not face a 96-hour waiting period, and you do not need to appear at a Delaware clerk of the peace office because the license is issued by Utah, even though your goal is to get married online in Delaware.
- Fill out the secure Utah County application form online from your home in Delaware or anywhere in the world.
- Upload clear images of your IDs and any requested documents such as divorce decrees if applicable.
- Respond to any brief follow-up from the Utah clerk if they need clarification before issuing the license.
A Utah online marriage license is valid for 32 days from the date it is issued, and Distant Vows schedules your ceremony within that window so your marriage is properly created under Utah law.
Step 4: Attend Your Online Ceremony and Receive Your Certificate
On your wedding day, you and your partner join a live video ceremony with a Utah-licensed officiant. Two adult witnesses are required and they can join from anywhere in the world. If you do not have family or friends available to serve as witnesses, you can invite them at no charge, or use our witness service for a small fee.
- Join from your home in Delaware or from anywhere in the world, as long as you are both on the same live video call.
- Participate in a real-time ceremony where you exchange vows and say your “I dos.” This is the moment you actually get married online in Delaware, even though the legal ceremony is taking place under Utah law.
- After the ceremony, your officiant files the certificate in Utah and you receive your official Utah County marriage certificate digitally and, if requested, by mail.
Delaware In-Person Marriage vs. Online Utah Marriage
| Feature | Traditional Delaware Marriage | Get Married Online with Distant Vows |
|---|---|---|
| Where the license is issued | Delaware clerk of the peace in New Castle, Kent, or Sussex County. | Utah County Clerk via a secure online application. |
| In-person appearance | Both partners must appear together at the clerk of the peace office with photo ID. | No in-person visits. Everything is handled online. |
| Waiting period | 24 hours for residents. 96 hours for non-residents. Waivable only by the clerk for good cause. | None. Utah has no waiting period. |
| License validity | 30 days from issuance. Ceremony must take place within Delaware. | Utah license valid for 32 days. Ceremony can be attended from Delaware or anywhere in the world. |
| Translator requirement | A certified third-party translator must be present if one applicant does not speak English. | Not required for the Utah application. Distant Vows offers language support for the ceremony. |
| Common-law marriage recognized | No. Delaware does not recognize common-law marriage. | Utah County certificate establishes formal legal married status. |
| Both partners must be in Delaware | Yes, for the license application and the ceremony. | No. Partners can be anywhere in the world. |
| Valid in Delaware | Yes. | Yes, and in all 50 states once properly issued and filed in Utah, because Delaware recognizes marriages that are valid where they were performed. |
| International use | May require apostille or legalization depending on the foreign country. | Utah certificate can receive an apostille for use in many countries, even if you get married online in Delaware. Learn more at Distant Vows apostille services. |
Military Couples in Delaware
Dover Air Force Base is Delaware’s primary military installation and one of the most strategically important air bases in the country. Dover AFB is the largest aerial port in the entire Department of Defense, operating C-5M Super Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft through the 436th Airlift Wing and the 512th Airlift Wing of the Air Force Reserve. The base contributes approximately $470 million annually to Delaware’s regional economy and supports more than 10,000 military members, civilians, and family members.
For airmen at Dover AFB whose partners are overseas or stationed at another installation, Delaware’s in-person clerk of the peace requirement and 24-hour waiting period can be impossible to satisfy around deployment and airlift mission schedules. The 96-hour waiting period for non-residents makes it even harder for couples from out of state who need to marry quickly before a deployment. Utah online marriage is the most practical solution for these couples. Both partners join a live video ceremony from wherever they are, no Delaware presence is required, and there is no waiting period. You can read more about how this process works specifically for service members at Distant Vows for Military Couples.
Immigration and International Couples in Delaware
Delaware’s small size belies a significant and diverse international population. Wilmington has major communities from Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and across Latin America. The city has one of the largest Guatemalan immigrant communities on the East Coast relative to its overall population size. New Castle County also has growing communities from India, South Korea, and across South and Southeast Asia. Delaware’s corporate law industry attracts professionals and their families from around the world, and the proximity to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. makes the state a practical base for internationally mobile couples.
For binational couples where one partner is still abroad, Delaware’s in-person requirement, the 96-hour non-resident waiting period, and the certified translator rule for non-English speakers combine to make obtaining a traditional Delaware marriage license extremely difficult without both partners in the same county at the same time. When you get married online in Delaware through Utah, your partner can be anywhere in the world. The Utah County certificate is accepted by USCIS for spousal visa and green card applications. If you need your marriage recognized in another country, Distant Vows can help you obtain an apostille so your certificate is accepted internationally. You can learn more about that process at Distant Vows apostille services.
Using Your Utah Certificate in Delaware
After you get married online in Delaware through Utah, your certified Utah County marriage certificate becomes your primary legal document for updating your records. Delaware agencies and businesses look for a valid U.S. marriage certificate and do not require it to be Delaware-issued.
- Change your name with the Social Security Administration. Delaware recommends waiting 72 hours after the SSA update before contacting the Delaware DMV so that databases have time to sync.
- Update your Delaware driver’s license or state ID through the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles.
- Adjust your name and marital status with banks, employers, and insurance providers.
- Use your certificate for USCIS spousal visa and green card applications.
Couples who get married online in Delaware through Utah can handle all of these updates locally without any additional steps beyond presenting their Utah County certificate.
FAQ: Getting Married Online in Delaware
Is it legal to get married online in Delaware?
Delaware recognizes marriages that are valid where they are performed. When you get married online in Delaware through Utah’s system, your marriage is valid in Utah and must be recognized in Delaware even though the ceremony happens over video.
Do we still need to apply for a Delaware marriage license?
No. If you choose the Utah online route, your license is issued by Utah County, not by a Delaware clerk of the peace. You do not need a Delaware marriage license to be legally married if you get married online in Delaware through Utah.
What documents are required under the traditional Delaware process?
Both applicants must appear together at the clerk of the peace office with valid photo ID. If either applicant was previously married, an original or certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate is required. A certified third-party translator must be present if one applicant does not speak English.
Does the 96-hour waiting period apply if we use Utah?
No. The 96-hour non-resident waiting period is a Delaware requirement that applies to Delaware marriage licenses. A Utah online marriage license has no waiting period at all, for residents or non-residents.
Can military couples at Dover Air Force Base get married online in Delaware?
Yes. Both partners join the ceremony by video from wherever they are. One can be on an airlift mission or deployed overseas while the other is at home near Dover. You can read more at Distant Vows for Military Couples.
Can same-sex couples get married online this way?
Yes. Delaware was one of the first states to legalize same-sex marriage, in 2013. Same-sex marriages are treated the same under Utah and federal law, so same-sex couples in Delaware can get married online in Delaware through Utah and receive the same legal certificate as any other couple.
How fast can we get married online from Delaware?
Many couples complete all four steps and receive their digital certificate within a few days. Rush options are available for couples who need to get married online in Delaware on a tighter timeline.
For details on Delaware’s traditional marriage license requirements, the New Castle County clerk of the peace and the Sussex County Marriage Bureau both have official guidance. For couples who want to get married online in Delaware without the in-person visit or waiting period, Distant Vows handles everything remotely.
Ready to Get Married Online in Delaware?
If you are ready to get married online in Delaware, Distant Vows makes the process simple. Our four-step system walks you from eligibility to your official U.S. marriage certificate, with licensed Utah officiants, witness support, and clear guidance at every stage.
Start today, choose your date, and let us handle the legal details so you can get married online in Delaware without leaving home. Couples from Wilmington, Dover, Newark, and across the state choose Distant Vows to get married online in Delaware every week. You can begin by completing our intake form at Get Married Online.