Wilmington Dissolution Of Marriage
Wilmington Dissolution Of Marriage records are filed and kept at the Family Court of Delaware at 500 N. King Street in Wilmington. This is the largest city in Delaware and the county seat of New Castle County. The Records Department handles both walk-in and mail requests for divorce decrees. Case files include the Petition for Divorce, financial disclosures, and the final decree. This page covers how to search Wilmington divorce records, what fees apply, and where to turn for legal help in the city.
Wilmington Overview
Family Court In Wilmington For Dissolution Of Marriage
Wilmington residents file divorce cases at the Family Court of Delaware - New Castle County, 500 N. King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. The building sits in downtown Wilmington near the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center. The general line is 302-255-0300. The Records Department direct line is 302-255-2222.
Records Department counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You need a photo ID at the counter. If you are requesting a certified copy, you must be a party, a child of the parties, a parent, a legal guardian, or a legal representative. The Records Department line for audio copies and exemplified copies is 302-255-0241.
The screenshot below shows the Wilmington public records guide, which outlines the Family Court path for divorce records. See the page at publicrecordcenter.com/wilmington.
The guide confirms that Wilmington divorce records are accessed through New Castle County Family Court, with historical pre-1978 cases at the Superior Court Prothonotary.
How To Search Wilmington Divorce Records
Wilmington Dissolution Of Marriage searches begin online. Use the CourtConnect portal to confirm case numbers. Family Court cases have limited online visibility, so the portal may only show case status. For the full decree or case file, call or visit the Records Department.
You can also submit a records request through the online records request form on the Delaware Courts site. The form takes party names, approximate date, and case number if known. Staff respond with fees and delivery instructions. Mail requests take 10 to 15 business days on average.
Required details for a Wilmington divorce search:
- Full names of both parties
- Approximate year the divorce was granted
- Case number if known
- Photo ID for certified copies
The screenshot below shows the Wilmington divorce records guide, which covers what you can find through the Family Court and what stays private. Read the page at divorcedelaware.org/divorce-records.
The page notes that certified copies of a divorce decree may be needed for Social Security name changes, Delaware DMV license updates, passport name changes, and financial account updates.
Other Wilmington Courts Near Dissolution Of Marriage Cases
Several courts operate out of the 500 N. King Street address in Wilmington. The Court of Common Pleas is at the same address, 302-255-0800 or 302-255-0900. The Superior Court line is 302-255-0090 for Delaware Superior Court of Wilmington. The Justice of the Peace Court 2 sits at 1801 Augustine Cut-Off, 302-571-7780.
The Leonard L. Williams Justice Center houses Superior Court, the Court of Common Pleas, Family Court, and the Justice of the Peace Court. The Prothonotary at 302-255-0777 keeps divorce records from before 1978. For records older than 1900, the Delaware Public Archives in Dover is the right office. Marriage licenses are issued through the Family Court for $50.
The screenshot below shows the Rockland area public records page, which pulls together the Wilmington-area court directory. Browse the guide at publicrecordcenter.com/rockland.
The page also notes that certified copies of divorce decrees run around $10 through the Family Court Records Office, and certified court copies elsewhere are $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
Legal Help For Wilmington Dissolution Of Marriage
The Delaware Law School Legal Aid Clinic sits at 4601 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803. The clinic helps qualifying residents with family law matters. The line is 302-477-2100. The clinic is a good starting point for Wilmington residents who cannot afford a private attorney.
The Family Court Resource Center at 500 N. King Street has self-help computers, forms, and staff who can direct you to the right paperwork. Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can confirm that a form is the correct one for your case. The Parent Education Program for divorcing parents of minor children is required before a final decree is entered.
Self-represented parties in Wilmington can use the Family Court divorce forms library online. The Petition for Divorce is Form 442. The Information Sheet is Form 240. The Vital Statistics Sheet is Form 441. If the other spouse's address is unknown, use Form 241D. Wilmington residents can file in person at 500 N. King Street or by mail to the same address. Filing fees typically run $150 to $165.
Wilmington residents with custody, support, or property questions tied to a Dissolution Of Marriage case can also ask the court about mediation. The Family Court offers mediation services to help spouses settle property division, custody, and support without a contested hearing. A mediated settlement becomes part of the final decree once the judge signs off.
Note: Delaware law requires a six-month separation before most divorce filings under 13 Del. C. ยง 1505, though cases filed on misconduct grounds with proper evidence can move faster.
Historical Wilmington Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Wilmington is the county seat of New Castle County, which was created on August 8, 1673. The Clerk of the Peace holds marriage records from 1911. The Prothonotary has older divorce and court records. Most older county records have been moved to the Delaware Public Archives in Dover.
For a Wilmington divorce granted before 1978, contact the New Castle County Prothonotary at 302-255-0777. For records from before 1900, the Delaware Public Archives at 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. North, Dover, DE 19901, (302) 744-5000 is the right office. FamilySearch collections include Delaware Vital Records 1650-1974 and Wilmington Vital Records 1847-1954.
Delaware statewide birth registration began in 1861, was paused in 1863, then resumed in 1881 with general compliance by 1921. Marriage records for New Castle County go back to 1744. Court records go back to 1676. Land records go back to 1671. Probate records go back to 1680. Most of this older material is now at the Archives rather than at the county offices.
The Wilmington Public Library at 10 E 10th St, Wilmington, DE 19801 is a useful stop for anyone tracing a historical divorce. The library has access to state legal resources and can help you find archived newspapers and genealogy databases. Fingerprinting services through the Wilmington Police Department may also come up when a divorce or name change case needs identity verification for a state or federal office.
New Castle County Divorce Records
Wilmington sits in New Castle County. All filings go through the Family Court at 500 N. King Street. For the full county guide with fees, office hours, and historical record paths, visit the New Castle County page.
Nearby Delaware Cities
These cities are also in New Castle County and file Dissolution Of Marriage cases at the Family Court in Wilmington.