Access Lewes Divorce Records

Lewes divorce records are held at the Sussex County Family Court in Georgetown, about 15 miles inland from the coast. The court at 22 The Circle keeps case files for every Lewes divorce granted from 1975 forward. Lewes is one of Delaware's oldest towns and has long been part of Sussex County. You can search Lewes divorce records in person, by mail, or through the state's free online CourtConnect portal. For historic cases from before 1975, the Delaware Public Archives in Dover holds older Sussex County court records.

Where to Find Lewes Divorce Records

Lewes sits in Sussex County. All divorce filings from the city go to the Sussex County Family Court at 22 The Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947. The Records Department can be reached at (302) 855-7473. Lewes is about 15 miles east of Georgetown. The drive runs 20 to 25 minutes in light traffic. For residents who prefer not to drive, mail requests are a common choice.

The image below shows the City of Lewes portal, which offers general municipal info and points residents to the right county court for divorce records.

The city government website does not keep divorce records. The city handles Freedom of Information Act requests for municipal records like property and zoning files, but court records are outside city jurisdiction.

How to Search Lewes Divorce Records

Lewes residents have three ways to look up divorce records. The CourtConnect portal is the fastest for basic case data. It shows case numbers, names, filing dates, and docket entries for every Sussex County Family Court case. It does not carry the full decree. For that, you visit the court or mail a request.

In person, the Records Department in Georgetown can pull most recent files on the spot and issue certified copies. Bring a government-issued photo ID. Staff can search by name even if you do not know the case number. Mail requests go to: Family Court Records, 22 The Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947. Include both party names, the divorce date, your contact info, and payment.

Items to have ready for a Lewes divorce records search:

• Full names of both parties at time of divorce
• Approximate year the case was filed
• Case number if known
• Photo ID for certified copies

Mail processing takes ten to fifteen business days in Sussex County. Call (302) 855-7473 during busy periods to check current wait times.

Lewes Divorce Records Fees

Fees match the Delaware schedule. A certified copy of a Lewes divorce decree is $4 for the first copy and $1 for each added copy at the same time. Non-certified copies are $1 per page. The court takes cash, check, money order, and credit cards. Mail requests need a check or money order made out to the Family Court.

The DHSS Vital Statistics Georgetown office offers divorce verification letters at $25 for the first copy and $10 for each added copy. A verification is just a confirmation that a divorce took place, not a copy of the decree. It can work for some routine paperwork but not for court filings that require a certified decree.

Historical Lewes Divorce Records

Lewes is one of Delaware's oldest communities, so historical research can run deep. For cases between 1935 and 1975, the Sussex County Prothonotary's Office at 1 The Circle, Georgetown, holds Superior Court files. Name indexes cover the whole period. Fees run $15 for the first three pages of a certified copy, $2 per page after that, and $1 per page for non-certified copies.

For Lewes records older than 1935, the Delaware Public Archives in Dover is the main source. The Archives hold Sussex County Court of Common Pleas files from the colonial era through the 1830s and Superior Court records from the 1830s to 1975. The image below shows the Archives facility used for historic research.

The Archives research room is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Copy fees are $0.50 per page. Some fragile Lewes records can be photographed by researchers under staff rules. Online finding aids help locate specific cases before a visit.

Delaware Divorce Laws for Lewes

Lewes divorce cases follow Title 13, Chapter 15 of the Delaware Code. Residency is six months in Delaware under 13 Del. C. § 1504. Grounds for divorce in 13 Del. C. § 1505 include irretrievable breakdown with six months of separation, incompatibility, voluntary separation, mental illness, and misconduct. Property is split through equitable distribution under 13 Del. C. § 1513. Child custody follows Title 13, Chapter 7.

Lewes Property Records

The Sussex County Recorder of Deeds at 2 The Circle, Georgetown, holds land records for Lewes. Property transfers tied to divorce settlements are filed here. The image below shows the Recorder's Office page.

Online deed searches allow lookups by grantor or grantee name. Quitclaim deeds and partition deeds from Lewes divorces are filed here as separate instruments from the Family Court decree. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Copies are $2 per page with an added fee for certified copies.

Types of Lewes Divorce Records

A Lewes divorce file has the same core set of Delaware documents. The petition opens the case. An answer or waiver follows. Financial disclosures, proof of service, and temporary orders get added. When children are part of the case, a parenting plan and custody order go in the file. The final divorce decree ends the marriage.

Most of a Lewes divorce file is public. Financial source documents like tax returns may be sealed. Social security numbers and account numbers are blacked out before release. Certified copies are needed for legal filings like name changes or remarriage applications.

Lewes has a long and active history, so older divorce records sometimes require research across multiple offices. The Family Court holds modern files, the Prothonotary holds the mid-century files, and the Archives hold colonial-era records. Each office has its own indexes and request process.

Legal Help for Lewes Divorce

Community Legal Aid Society (CLASI) serves Lewes residents with a family law unit for those who qualify. Legal Services Corporation of Delaware takes civil cases including divorce. The Family Court self-help forms are free online. The Delaware State Bar Association referral service can match Lewes residents with a family law attorney.

Nearby Cities

Other Sussex County cities use the same Family Court in Georgetown. Pick a city below for local info.

See the Sussex County page for more or browse all Delaware counties.