Description: The Sussex County Clerk of the Peace manages the Marriage Bureau which issues marriage licenses, officiates Memorable Marriage ceremonies and provides certified copies of marriage licenses issued in Sussex County, Delaware. The Marriage Bureau office for Sussex County is open to the public for the issuance of marriage licenses and ceremonies, by appointment only. The Clerk of the Peace is elected to a four-year term in the “on-years” when the Delaware governor and U.S. President are up for election.
Salary: N/A
Republican Candidate: Norman “Jay” Jones Jr.
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Party: Republican
Neighborhood/area of residence: Lincoln, Delaware
Campaign Phone: (302) 381-9780
Campaign Email: jones4clerkofthepeace@gmail.com
Education: Graduate of Lighthouse Christian Center
Work Experience: Construction, Former Councilman & Mayor of Ellendale. Has been Clerk of the Peace since 2017
Community Involvement: My life revolves around public service, volunteering when needed in the community like Little League and others groups, and a lifetime active member of the fire service, I am active in serving my local church.
Q: What motivates you to seek or continue in this office?
A: It is an honor to serve Sussex County and its visitors in the Marriage Bureau. We have accomplished much, and I am committed to continuing to meet and exceed expectations in this role.
Q: What are your qualifications for office? Can you provide examples of past experiences or accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to effectively lead and collaborate with others in a governmental setting?
A: During my two successful terms as Clerk of the Peace, I have consistently met or exceeded goals, operated under budget, and improved the quality of service while keeping costs low. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when other marriage bureaus closed or limited services, I found innovative ways to keep our office open and operational, attracting couples from outside the state and county to use our services. I was also involved in amending the Delaware state legislation to safeguard children from human trafficking by eradicating underage marriages within the state. We have a bilingual employee to assist Spanish speaking couples and have documents created in English, Spanish and French Creole making it more efficient to all serve couples.
Q: What are the most important ways that this county office serves the public? Please highlight any aspect(s) of your services of which residents should be made more aware.
A: What distinguishes our marriage bureau from others is the extensive services we provide beyond regular business hours and at multiple locations across the county. We strive to meet and surpass the expectations of our clients by assisting in the creation of unforgettable moments and a low cost. This also attracts numerous visitors to Sussex County to avail our services, thereby contributing to the local economy as wedding parties come to Delaware for these special occasions. In addition to issuing marriage licenses and recording pertinent documents that are valid throughout the state, we also conduct ceremonies, facilitate vow renewals, issue certified copies of licenses, and provide single-status letters.
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