FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Do you perform title searches or land research for patrons?
- Do you perform census research for patrons?
- How do I request my birth or marriage certificate?
- How long will it take to receive a esponse to my inquiry?
- I have an old stock certificate; can you tell me if the company is still in existence?
- I know my ancestor was born, died or was married in your state. In the reply to my request you responded that you did not find a record, why?
- What are your fees?
- What photographic records does the archives have, and how can I obtain copies?
- What services do you provide via email?
- Who can I call about my application for DAR/SAR/Colonial Dames?
- How do I obtain student records?
- What if I have an emergency request?
What services do you provide via email?
The research room staff will undertake searches of our vital and probate records for patrons. We encourage patrons to use our on-line probate and naturalization indexes before placing a request. Please see our help page for information on how to place a request. The research room staff will not search any other collections but can provide copies if complete references are provided by the patron.
We do not charge patrons a search fee. If a document is found for a patron's request, we will send a price quote for obtaining copies.
How long will it take to receive a response to my inquiry?
The rate at which we respond to inquiries depends primarily on the amount of requests we receive. The more requests we receive the longer it will take for us to respond. In most cases we respond within a week or two; however, we may take up to one month to respond. We ask patrons not to resubmit a request until 30 days have passed. To ensure a faster response, we suggest that you carefully read our help page .
Prior to 1913 the state of Delaware did not strictly enforce any law to require the registration of births, deaths, or marriages. Our vital records prior to this date are incomplete. If a record is not found, this does not indicate that the event did not occur in this state. It only indicates that the event was not recorded in any of the sources we have indexed. You may wish to search for the information here at our archives using other sources.
How do I request my birth or marriage certificate?
Our holdings contain birth records older than 72 years and marriage records older than 40 years. If you were born after 1936 or married after 1968 years you need to contact the Office of Vital Statistics at (302) 744-4549 (http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/ss/vitalstats.html). If you were born or married before these years please see our help page for more information.
I have an old stock certificate; can you tell me if the company is still in existence?
To find out if a company is still incorporated in the state of Delaware, you need to contact the Division of Corporations.
Do you perform title searches or land research for patrons?
The research room staff cannot undertake this type of research for patrons. We encourage patrons to visit our facility to perform this type of research. If you are unable to make an on-site visit we suggest that you utilize a source for research assistance.
Do you perform census research for patrons?
The research room staff cannot undertake this type of research for patrons. We encourage patrons to visit our facility to perform this type of research.
What photographic records does the archives have, and how can I obtain copies?
The Delaware Public Archives has over
150,000 photographs in its collections. These images date from
the 1850s to the present (the majority are from the 1920s to the
1960s) and include views of most aspects of Delaware life.
The best way to use our photograph
collections is to come to the Archives so that the images can be
viewed. First review the collection descriptions or ask staff
which collections might contain the images in which you are
interested. At the present time there is no overall index for
the collections, although each processed collection has a
finding aid. From the finding aids, select photographs that you
would like to see, complete a Records Request Form, and the
staff will pull the photographs for you.
If a researcher is unable to come to the
Archives, they can contact us by mail, phone, or the contact form with
specific requests. Staff are unable to do more than minimal
research to answer requests.
Who can I call about my application for DAR/SAR/Colonial Dames?
Requests for genealogical purposes or for application to the Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution, Society of Colonial Dames, or other such institution must be submitted via the contact form or mailed to the street address. The Delaware Public Archives can not handle these requests over the phone.
How do I obtain student records?
Student records are exempt from the freedom of information act and as such are closed to all but the individual student. To request student records, you must first contact the school directly. Each request for student records must include a signed release form (available from your school or as a request via the contact form) from the student allowing the records to be released. The Delaware Public Archives does not have any student records for Private Schools. If the school whose records you are searching for is no longer in existence, or if you have any additional questions, please contact us via the contact form below.
What if I have an emergency request?
For an Emergency Request* please call (302) 744-5000. You will be transferred to an archivist on duty. *Emergency Requests are defined as: Requests for copies of Vital Statistics Certificates in our holdings (Birth Records older than 72 years, Marriage or Death Records older than 40 years) or other state records that are required immediately due to a time-sensitive situation (i.e. impending legal proceeding, international travel, cruise, pension issue, or social security application).
