The Division of Public Health continues to review operational needs while keeping the health and safety of our employees and customers in mind during the coronavirus outbreak.
The Office of Vital Statistics encourages individuals to mail in requests for vital records certificates or order online using VitalChek or GoCertificates.
GoCertificates will be reducing processing fees by $4 until further notice.

Obtaining Records In-Person, by Mail or Online

Order In-Person or by Mail

The public can obtain individual copies of birth, death, adoptee, marriage, and same-gender marriage through the following:

• in person at any of three locations around the state
• via a written request to the Office of Vital Statistics located in the Jesse S. Cooper Building in Dover

Using the following forms:

• Same-Gender Marriage Certificate
• Marriage Certificate
• Birth Certificate
• Adoptee’s Birth Certificate
• Death Certificate

Order Online

The public can also obtain individual copies of birth, death, adoptee, marriage and same-gender marriage online. The Delaware Office of Vital Statistics does not accept credit cards through the internet or online orders for records. For your convenience, however, you can process online requests for records through the independent companies that we have partnered with to provide you this service. The Office of Vital Statistics also protects the confidentiality and legality of all vital records in its possession. The Vital Statistics Review Subcommittee, an interdivisional panel, reviews all requests for information for research and investigation prior to the release of information to others.

Legal requests from authorized representatives must use the OVS legal template, be on official letterhead, and state the purpose of the request. If the applicant is an authorized representative of a client other than the registrant, the applicant must explain how the vital record will be used, demonstrate the client’s relationship to the registrant (e.g., attach documents that show a relationship such as birth or marriage certificates, Register of Wills Short Certificate/Form 6, and/or court order), and state the law/regulation(s) that makes the applicant eligible to receive the requested vital record.

Baby's Background

Having a baby? Answer post delivery questions now by using:       

Baby’s Background, a sister company of GoCertificates.com, Inc. was created to allow parents to answer post-birth hospital questions at their convenience, rather than directly after birth, while also offering the option to pre-order birth certificates. Otherwise, birth certificates and related documents can be ordered for yourself, your child, or for qualifying family members. Baby’s Background can be accessed by clicking the link above or by going to www.babysbackground.com.

Heirloom Birth Certificates

Several years ago, this office began issuing heirloom birth certificates. The heirloom birth certificates are printed on specially designed security papers.

Helpful Link

• Delaware State Archives Guide to Vital Records page

  Some of the files available on this page are in Microsoft Word format which requires Microsoft Word or Word Viewer. A free copy of Microsoft Word Viewer   can be downloaded directly from Microsoft,   

Please note: Some of the files available on this page are in Adobe PDF format which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. A free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded directly from Adobe . If you are using an assistive technology unable to read Adobe PDF, please either view the corresponding text only version (if available) or visit Adobe's Accessibility Tools page.