The Constitution of Delaware is the guardian of the
Government of Delaware as the government is structured and established by the State Constitution of Delaware. Delaware attained statehood on December 7, 1787
[1]. The State Constitution of Delaware divides the powers of the government into three distinct departments— the legislative, the executive and the judicial.
Executive Branch of Delaware
The Delaware Executive Branch is a well functioning body of the state government. Several state government departments work under the executive branch for the smooth functioning of the government. The Governor of Delaware leads the executive branch of the government as the supreme executive head.
Governor of Delaware
The supreme executive power of the state is vested upon the Governor. The Governor is chosen by the qualified electors
of the state and he/she may hold office for the term of 4 years. It is the duty of the Governor to see that laws are executed faithfully. The Governor is also the commander in chief of the army and navy of the state, and of the militia. Qualifications required for the Governor are the Governor shall be 30 years of age and shall be a citizen of the United States.
Contact DetailsOffice of the Governor
150 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. South
2nd Floor
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: (302) 744-4101
Website:
http://governor.delaware.gov/
Lieutenant-Governor of Delaware
The Lieutenant-Governor is chosen at the same time, for the same term, in the same manner, and subject to the same provisions as the Governor. The Lieutenant-Governor possesses the same qualifications of eligibility for office as the Governor. Lieutenant-Governor works as the President of the Senate.
Website:
http://ltgov.delaware.gov/
Delaware Secretary of State
The Secretary of the State is elected by the Governor who holds office during the pleasure of the Governor. The records of the state are kept in the office of the secretary. The Secretary of State keeps and preserves the records of all the official acts and proceedings of the Governor and lays the same before either branch of the Legislature when required.
Contact DetailsSecretary of State
Townsend Building, Dover, DE
Phone: 302-739-4111
Website:
http://sos.delaware.gov/
Delaware Attorney General
The Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer of the state. The office has broad responsibility to combat crime, fight fraud, safeguard families, and protect consumers in the First State.
Contact DetailsAttorney General
Phone: (302) 577-8400
Website:
http://attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/
Delaware State Treasurer
The key duties and responsibilities of the Office of the State Treasurer is to collect, disburse and invest monies for the State of Delaware.
Contact DetailsState Treasurer
820 Silver Lake Blvd
100, Dover, DE 19904
Phone: 302-672-6700
Website:
http://treasurer.delaware.gov/
Legislative Branch of Delaware
The Delaware Legislature is the law making and supervising body of the state government of Delaware. The Legislative power is vested in the General Assembly consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The General Assembly sits in Dover.
House of Representatives
The Delaware House of Representatives is the lower house of the Delaware Legislature. The Delaware House of
Representatives is composed of 41 members who are chosen for two years. Qualified members of House of Representatives should be twenty four years old and a citizen and inhabitant of the state. The House of Representatives choose the speaker who presides over the House of Representatives.
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House of Representatives
Senate
The Delaware Senate is the upper house of the Delaware Legislature. The Delaware Senate is composed of twenty-one members who are chosen for four years. Qualified members of Senate should be twenty four years old and a citizen and inhabitant of the state. The Lieutenant Governor serves as the President of the Senate.
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Senate
Judicial Branch of Delaware
According to the Constitution of the state the judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court, Superior Court, Court of Chancery, Court of Common Pleas, Family Court, Register's Court and such other courts.
Supreme Court
The Delaware Supreme Court is the court of highest appeal in the State of Delaware. The Court has final appellate jurisdiction in
civil and criminal cases. The Court has appellate jurisdiction over direct appeals from the Superior Court, Court of Chancery and Family Court. The Court has original jurisdiction over writs of mandamus, prohibition and certiorari.
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Supreme Court
Court of Chancery
The Court of Chancery has jurisdiction to hear and determine all matters and causes in equity. The Delaware Court of Chancery is the nation's preeminent forum for the determination of disputes involving the internal affairs of Delaware corporations and other business entities.
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Court of Chancery
Superior Court
The Superior Court has original authority over criminal and civil cases, except for domestic relations matters and equity cases. The Court has exclusive jurisdiction over felonies and drug offenses. The Court handles appeals on the record which were forwarded by the Court of Common Pleas, Family Court and other agencies.
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Superior Court
Family Court
The Family Court has extensive jurisdiction over all domestic matters. It exercises jurisdiction over juvenile
delinquency, dependency, child neglect, child abuse, adult misdemeanor crimes, paternity of children, custody and visitation of children, divorces and annulments, property divisions among others
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Family Court
Court of Common Pleas
The Court of Common Pleas has criminal jurisdiction throughout the state over all misdemeanors and motor vehicle offenses. The Court is also responsible for preliminary hearings in felony cases and jury trial is available to all defendants in criminal matters.
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Court of Common Pleas
Justice of the Peace Court
The Justice of the Peace Courts has legal power over civil cases related to trespass, debt, all landlord/tenant disputes.
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Justice of the Peace CourtJudiciary telephone directory
Delaware State Taxation
The Delaware Department of Finance (Division of Revenue) manages and administers a standard tax law in the state. It is the primary revenue collector for the state. The mission of the division is to collect 100% of the taxes and other revenues for the state.
Important contact details
- Personal Income Tax Assistance: 302.577.8200
- Business Tax Assistance: 302.577.8205
- Corporate Tax Auditors: 302.577.8783
- Corporate Tax Refund/Returns: 302.577.8781
- Personal Income Tax Auditors: 302.577.8994
- Unclaimed Property/Escheat: 302.577.8782
- Withholding Tax: 302.577.8779
Gross Receipts Tax RatesComplete phone directory
Delaware State Departments
In Delaware various state departments work dedicatedly with the executive branch of the state government. The departments render their services in various sectors for the proper and smooth functioning of the state as a whole. Some of the important state departments in Delaware are:
Delaware Department of Education
The Delaware Department of Education supervises and manages the workings of all schools, and higher education
systems in the state. The department aims at providing world class education and best values to the students to ensure overall progress and success.
Contact DetailsDelaware Department of Education
The Townsend Building
401 Federal Street, Suite 2
Dover, DE 19901-3639
Phone: 1-302-735-4000
Website:
http://www.doe.k12.de.us/site/default.aspx?PageID=1
Delaware Department of Health and Human Services
The Delaware Department of Health and Human Services provides health care and social service support to the citizens of the state. The department strives to enhance the standard of living life of the residents of Delaware by promoting health and well-being, protecting vulnerable populations and implementing self-sufficiency. The Department protects the lives of the people, strives to control and prevent disease and provides oversight to hospitals, nursing homes and other health care entities in the state. The health department also has divisions which provide all vital records and health statistics of the state.
Contact DetailsDelaware Department of Health and Human Services
1901 N. Du Pont Highway, Main Bldg.
New Castle, DE 19720
Phone: (302) 255-9040
Fax: (302) 255-4429
Website:
http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/
Delaware Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture strives effectively to sustain and promote the viability of food, fiber, and agricultural industries in Delaware through quality services to protect and enhance the environment, health, and welfare of the general public.
Contact Details2320 South DuPont Highway
Dover, Delaware 19901
Phone: (302) 698-4500
Website:
http://dda.delaware.gov/
Delaware Department of Transportation
The Delaware Department of Transportation overviews the entire transportation network of the state and ensure safe
and easy commuting of people and goods. The DelDOT provides safe, reliable and convenient travel options for the residents of the state. The department strives to achieve transportation excellence in the state and develops plans and programs relating to the system of roads, buses, airways, rails, waterways, bike trails, and walking paths in Delaware.
Contact Details800 S Bay Rd
Dover, DE, United States
1 302-739-4157
Website:
http://www.deldot.gov/
Delaware Department of Insurance
The mission of the Delaware Department of Insurance is to protect insurance consumers, regulate companies to ensure ability to pay claims, check rates submitted by insurance companies, handles license agents and brokers and review any kind of insurance fraud.
Contact DetailsPhone: (302) 674-7300
Website:
http://www.delawareinsurance.gov/
References:
- Delaware statehood
