Link To This Page — Contact Us —

Sussex County, Delaware

County Court, Probate, Land & Tax Records  •  County Census Records
County Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
County Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  County Church & Bible Records

Sussex County was created on 1670 and was formed from Sussex County. The County was named for the English county of Sussex, which was his home county.. The County Seat is Georgetown.

Delaware's southernmost county. This was originally part of the Hoornkill district court, set up by the Dutch Governor Colve in 1673. Hoornkill was divided into Saint Jones and Deal Counties in 1680, and in 1682, Deal County was changed to Sussex County for William Penn’s own county in England. Sussex County Delaware was claimed for a number of years by both Maryland and Pennsylvania. Delaware was initially settled by the Dutch and Swedes, but when the Duke of York took New York from the Dutch, his agent captured Delaware in 1664. In 1682, Delaware was granted to William Penn along with Pennsylvania. Lord Baltimore disputed Penn's ownership of the three Delaware counties, and the southern and western areas of Sussex County were claimed by both Maryland and Pennsylvania, but were governed by Maryland until the Mason-Dixon Line was approved by George III in 1769; when all of Delaware was awarded to Pennsylvania. In 1769, Kent, Sussex , and Sussex counties met in Constitutional Convention and the State of Delaware was formed.

The Sussex County Courthouse hours are: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Sussex County Court House's holdings include original deeds and wills from 1680 on, which can be viewed on their premises only. Copies cannot be obtained by writing to the county offices, only from the Delaware Public Archives. See also County History for more historical details.

Counties adjacent to Sussex County are Kent County (north), Cape May County, New Jersey (northeast), Worcester County, Maryland (south), Dorchester County, Maryland (southwest), Wicomico County, Maryland (southwest), Caroline County, Maryland (northwest).

Sussex County Cities and Towns include Lewes, Milford, Rehoboth Beach, Seaford, Bethany Beach, Bethel, Blades, Bridgeville, Dagsboro, Delmar, Dewey Beach, Ellendale, Fenwick Island, Frankford, Georgetown, Greenwood, Henlopen Acres, Laurel, Millsboro, Millville, Milton, Ocean View, Selbyville, Slaughter Beach, South Bethany.

Communities and CDPs include Angola, Argo's Corner, Atlanta, Bayard, Belltown, Broad Creek, Broadkill Beach, Cannon, Cedar Creek, Clarksville, Concord, Cool Spring, Coverdale, Fairmount, Fowler Beach, Gumboro, Harbeson, Hardscrabble, Hollymount, Hollyville, Jimtown, Johnson, Lincoln City, Long Neck, Marshtown, Middleford, Middlesex Beach, Midway, Nassau, Oakley, Oak Orchard, Old Furnace, Pepperbox, Pinetown, Redden, Reliance, Roxana, St. Johnstown, Whitesville, Williamsville.

Hundreds include Baltimore, Broad Creek, Broadkill, Cedar Creek, Dagsboro, Georgetown, Gumboro, Indian River, Lewes & Rehoboth, Little Creek, Nanticoke, Northwest Fork, Seaford.

Back to top

Sussex County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Delaware Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records and Marriage Records

All Departments below are in the Sussex County Administrative Office Building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947, unless otherwise noted below. The Official County website is located at http://www.sussexcountyde.gov.

NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time. Most earlier records and many into the twentieth century have been transferred to the Delaware State Archives, although some counties have microfilms of transferred material.

Sussex County Clerk of Chancery Court has Court Records from 1683 and is located at the courthouse. Phone Number:

Sussex County Clerk of the Peace has Marriage Records from ? and is located at the courthouse, Room 249. Phone Number: (302) 853-1717.

Functions include Witnessing County documents; attends all formal Levy Court Meetings; records all acts as custodian for the Minutes of the Levy Court Meetings; advertises and posts County ordinances; countersigns warrants drawn on County funds. Issues marriage licenses and performs marriages (civil ceremonies) in the County

Sussex County Register of Wills has Probate Records from 1728 and is located at Sussex County Courthouse Annex, 5 E. Pine St., P.O. Box 743, Georgetown, DE 19947; Phone: (302) 855-7875.

The primary purpose of the Register of Wills office is to record wills and documents pertaining to estate matters in Kent County, Delaware. The office is responsible for overseeing the appointments of personal representatives and for administering estate proceedings. This office is also held accountable for making sure that the estates are in compliance with the Delaware Law. All estate matters are maintained as permanent records.

Sussex County Register of Deeds has Land Records from 1693 and is located at the courthouse. Phone Number: (302) 855-7785.

Responsible for indexing and maintaining copies of legal documents pertaining to land, mortgages, appointments, etc. Only the most recent deeds are in the office, however. Most have been transferred to the archives.

Early tax or assessment lists for the three Delaware counties are found at the Delaware State Archives and start in 1726 for Kent, 1738 for New Castle, and 1769 for Sussex. See Court, Tax & Probate Records for more information on Tax Records

There are a few online databases for Court, Land and Probate Records which include: Delaware Marriages, 1645-1899, Kent County, Delaware Probate Records, 1680-1800, New Castle County, Delaware Wills, 1682-1800 and Sussex County, Delaware Probate Records, 1680-1800.

Below is a list of online resources for Sussex County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Sussex County Court Records by clicking the link below:

Back to top

Sussex County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Research In Vital Records or Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records in Delaware

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

The Delaware Public Archives holds Delaware Birth Certificates older than 72 years (certificates from 1934 and before) and Death and Marriage Certificates older than 40 (certificates from 1966 and before). The Office of Vital Statistics holds Delaware Birth Certificates from 1935 to the present and Death and Marriage Certificates from 1967 to the present. This means that the Delaware Public Archives only have birth certificates up through and including 1934, and marriage and death certificates up through and including 1966. To obtain vital records issued after the dates above please contact: Office of Vital Statistics, Jesse S. Cooper Building, 417 Federal St., Dover, DE  19901

Office of Vital Statistics, Jesse S. Cooper Building, 417 Federal St., Dover, DE  19901, Please allow up to approximately 3 weeks to 6 weeks for processing of all type of certificates when ordered through the mail. They have the following records:

  • Birth, Marriage & Death Certificates: The state of Delaware began issuing certificates for births on December 20, 1908. The Ohio Department of Health holds birth certificates for the state of Ohio from December 20, 1908 to the present. The Vital Statistics Office maintains statewide Death Certificates from 1954 to the present. Individual health departments in the county or city where the death took place keep certificates for their local area (not statewide).
    • Cost: $10.00 per certificate, payment is payable to the "Office of Vital Statistics”. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $10.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
    • Processing Time: 3-6 weeks when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you order ELECTRONICALLY
    • By Mail Applications: Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate, Adoptee's Birth Certificate, Death Certificate
    • For Divorce Records the Prothonotary in the county where divorce was granted up to 1975. For divorces granted after 1975 the parties concerned should contact Family Court in county where divorce was granted.
  • Order In Person:  Same day service is available to walk-in customers. This is the fastest way to obtain a birth certificate. When you arrive, you will complete an application and pay the $10.00 required fee. Walk-in address is
    • New Castle County: Limestone Building - (302) 995-8588 - Office Hours 8:00 AM - 4:15 PM Monday through Friday except Holidays
    • Kent County: Jesse S. Cooper Building - (302) 744-4549 - Office Hours 8:00 AM - 4:15 PM Monday through Friday except Holidays
    • Sussex County: Georgetown State Service Center - (302) 856-5495 - Office Hours 8:00 AM - 4:15 PM Monday through Friday except Holidays
  • Order Online: You can also order Order Electronically Online to obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, death or divorce record with a credit or debit card and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering from VitalChek Express Certificate Service.

Below is a list of online resources for Sussex County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Sussex County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

Back to top

Sussex County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Census Links for Delaware

Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Sussex County, Delaware are 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930.Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Sussex County, Delaware are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms.

Below is a list of online resources for Sussex County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Sussex County Census Records by clicking the link below:

Back to top

Sussex County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Delaware Genealogical Addresses

Below is a list of online resources for Sussex County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Sussex County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

Back to top

Sussex County Cemeteries & Graveyards

See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Statewide Cemetery Links for Delaware

There are many churches and cemeteries in Sussex County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Sussex County Tombstone Transcription Project.

Below is a list of online resources for Sussex County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Sussex County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

Back to top

Sussex County Church & Bible Records

See Also Research In Church Records or Statewide Church & Bible Links for Delaware

 

Back to top

Sussex County Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

Below is a list of online resources for Sussex County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Sussex County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

Back to top
Site Map | Copyright © 2011 N2Genealogy.com,