US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 10005

Sussex County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Sussex County, Delaware. Serving a population of 263.509 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Georgetown • Land Area: 936,146 sq mi • State: Delaware (DE)
Call: (302) 885-8555 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗
Advertisement & Sponsored Services
Need Certified Public Records Fast?
Search official deeds, real estate titles, tax liens, and civil filings without courthouse lines.
Check Records Online →
Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

Sussex County Courthouse / Recording Office, Georgetown, DE 19947

Seat of government for Sussex County in Georgetown, DE.

Open in Google Maps
Courthouse / Directory Line

(302) 885-8555

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 10005 • Coordinates: 38.6732° N, -75.3370° W
Visit Official .Gov Portal ↗
Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Sussex County

  • ✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
  • ✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
  • ✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
  • ✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode
Check Records Online Instead →
Land Records & Real Property

Sussex County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by 9 Del. C. § 9605
First Page Base Fee
$35.00
Includes statutory county automation index surcharge
Each Additional Page
$9.00
Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page
Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps
4.0% total realty transfer tax (2.5% state / 1.5% local standard split)
Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in Delaware:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.
Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.
Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.
Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.
Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Sussex County

License Fee $70.00 (Residents) / $120.00 (Non-residents)
Waiting Period 24 Hours
  • ✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 30 days of issuance.
  • ✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Sussex County courthouse.
  • ✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.
State Policy: Issued by the Clerk of the Peace in New Castle, Kent, or Sussex County. 24h waiting period.
Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $25.00
Death Cert $25.00
Marriage Cert $25.00
  • • Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
  • • Filing Agency: Processed through Delaware Health and Social Services Office of Vital Statistics and the local Sussex County clerk counter.
Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.
Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Sussex County

Filing Fee: $25.00
1. Filing Authority

In Sussex County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the Prothonotary Office.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in Delaware.

3. State Rules & Notice

Trade names are registered with the Prothonotary in each county where the business operates.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Sussex County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Sussex County Prothonotary Office. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in Delaware.

Name Search Included
Articles of Organization
Delaware Compliant
Register LLC / DBA Online Official partner filing service • Expedited processing
State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official Delaware Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with Delaware county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download
Get Delaware Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance
Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in Delaware

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring Delaware recording offices:

Kent County Seat: Dover
~30.6 mi →
New Castle County Seat: Wilmington
~64.5 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Sussex County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Sussex County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official Sussex County office is located at Sussex County Courthouse / Recording Office, Georgetown, DE 19947. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (302) 885-8555.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Sussex County?
Under Delaware statute (9 Del. C. § 9605), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Sussex County costs $35.00 for the first page, plus $9.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: 4.0% total realty transfer tax (2.5% state / 1.5% local standard split).
How do I obtain a marriage license in Sussex County, DE?
Both applicants must appear in person before the Sussex County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $70.00 (Residents) / $120.00 (Non-residents). Delaware requires a waiting period of 24 hours, and the license is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.
How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Sussex County?
In Sussex County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the Prothonotary Office with a standard statutory filing fee of $25.00. Trade names are registered with the Prothonotary in each county where the business operates.
How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Sussex County?
Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $25.00 and death certificates starting at $25.00) can be requested through the Delaware Health and Social Services Office of Vital Statistics or directly at the Sussex County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.