Milford Dissolution Of Marriage Decree Copies

Milford Dissolution Of Marriage records are unusual because the city straddles the line between Kent County and Sussex County. That means a Milford divorce case is heard at the Family Court in Dover if the party lives on the Kent side, or at the Family Court in Georgetown if the party lives on the Sussex side. This page covers how Milford residents find a divorce case, where to order copies, and what to do when the county line cuts through the neighborhood.

Milford Dissolution Of Marriage By County Side

Milford sits on the Mispillion River and is split between two counties. The county line runs roughly through the middle of town. For a Milford divorce case, your side of the line tells you which Family Court to use.

If you live on the Kent County side, file at the Family Court at 400 Court Street, Dover, DE 19901. The Records Department line is 302-672-1045. If you live on the Sussex County side, file at the Family Court at 22 The Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947. The Records Department line is (302) 855-7473. The statewide fee is $4.00 certified, $1.00 plain, per page.

The screenshot below shows the Milford vital records page, which lays out how each county handles vital and divorce records. See the page at passportsandvisas.com/milford.

Milford has records in both county systems, so Milford residents sometimes need to check both Family Court offices if they don't know which side of town the case was originally filed from.

Online Records Request For Milford Residents

Delaware offers an online records request form for Family Court cases. This works for Milford residents on either county side. The form takes party names, approximate date, and case number if known. Staff respond with the fees and delivery timing.

The screenshot below shows the Family Court online records request system. Visit the form at courts.delaware.gov/family/recordsrequest.

The system routes each request to the correct Records Department based on the county noted in the case data. Processing time for online requests matches the mail turnaround of 10 to 15 business days.

You can also call the Records Department directly: New Castle County at 302-255-0241, Kent County at 302-672-1045, or Sussex County at 302-855-7411. Staff can confirm case numbers and share a fee estimate before you mail a check.

Milford Vital Statistics And Divorce Index

Because Milford straddles the Kent-Sussex line, both the Dover Office of Vital Statistics (417 Federal Street) and the general state vital statistics system cover the city. The office maintains a divorce index from 1935 to the present but does not issue certified divorce copies. That verification is useful when you know a divorce happened somewhere in Delaware but aren't sure which county.

The screenshot below shows the Delaware Division of Public Health Vital Statistics page for Kent and Sussex counties. Read it at delaware211.org/vital-statistics-kent-sussex.

The page notes that divorce records 1976 to present are obtained from the Family Court in the county where the divorce was granted, and divorce records before 1976 are obtained from the Prothonotary's Office in that county.

Delaware Vital Records are confidential and can be released only to the person themselves, immediate next of kin, or representatives such as attorneys and funeral directors. The Delaware Public Archives at 121 Duke of York Street, Dover, 302-744-5000 is the right office for any record older than the Vital Statistics office holdings.

Historical Milford Dissolution Of Marriage Records

Milford churches have long held vital record registers. The Mispillion Presbyterian Church has records 1826-1874. The First Presbyterian Church has records 1852-1887. The St. John the Apostle Catholic Church has records 1911-1970. These sources can help trace marriages that may have later ended in divorce.

For divorces granted before 1976 on either side of Milford, the Prothonotary in the proper county holds the file. Kent County Prothonotary is at the Kent County Court House, 38 The Green, Dover. Sussex County Prothonotary is part of the Superior Court at 1 The Circle, Georgetown. Records before 1900 sit at the Delaware Public Archives in Dover.

Under 13 Del. C. § 1504, a Milford party filing a modern divorce must have lived in Delaware for six months before filing. The six-month separation rule in 13 Del. C. § 1505 applies the same way on both the Kent and Sussex sides. Parents of minor children on either side must complete the Parent Education Program before a final decree is entered.

Types Of Milford Dissolution Of Marriage Records

Milford divorce records come in three forms across both counties. A divorce certificate proves the divorce happened and lists the names, children, attorney, and date. A divorce decree is the full court order with every term: custody, alimony, property division, child support, and insurance. Divorce court records are the hearing transcripts and minutes and are considered private under state law.

Certified Milford divorce certificates are restricted to the parties themselves, their children, parents, legal guardians, legal representatives, and individuals with a court order. Uncertified copies are informational and can be viewed by any interested party. Basic case data is public, but financial affidavits and custody evaluations are usually sealed or redacted.

Both Kent and Sussex Family Courts follow the same retention rules. Divorce decrees are kept permanently. Custody orders are kept until the youngest child reaches 21. Protection from abuse orders are kept five years after expiration. Child support records are kept three years after the youngest child turns 18.

Copy Requests From Milford

Milford residents can mail a request to either Family Court: 400 Court Street, Dover for Kent County cases, or 22 The Circle, Georgetown for Sussex County cases. A valid mail request includes names of both parties, the date of divorce, the case number if known, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Payment is check or money order made out to "Family Court." Certified copies are $4.00 per page. Plain copies are $1.00 per page. Plain copy at Sussex may run $10.00 for basic packages, with certified at $20.00.

Processing time for mail requests is 10 to 15 business days. In-person requests at either courthouse are usually handled within 1 to 3 business days. A photo ID is required for any certified request. A certified Milford divorce decree may be needed for a Social Security name change, a DMV license update, a passport name change, or a financial account update.

Milford Counties For Dissolution Of Marriage

Milford straddles Kent County and Sussex County. Pick the county where the case was filed for the full guide.

Kent County Dissolution Of Marriage Sussex County Dissolution Of Marriage

Nearby Delaware Cities

Milford's neighbors include Dover and Harrington in Kent County, plus Lewes and Seaford in Sussex County.