Delaware Parenting Education Requirements & County Acceptance

Yes. Delaware Code Title 13, Section 1507(h) permits parenting education and does not restrict the format. All three Delaware counties accept online programs from approved providers. You are not required to attend in-person classes unless the court orders otherwise or your specific judge restricts online completion—which is rare. If your court declines an online certificate, you have the right to request a hearing to appeal that decision.

The program is six to eight hours total. It covers children’s adjustment to family restructuring, the impact of separation and divorce on different developmental stages, coparenting skills, communication between parents, conflict management and dispute resolution, visitation guidelines, and stress reduction for children. The program is designed to help parents minimize harm to their children during and after separation or divorce.

Delaware law requires completion within 180 days (approximately 6 months) of filing your custody or visitation petition, or within 180 days of filing your divorce petition if minor children are involved. If you do not submit a certificate of completion within this timeframe, the court may dismiss your petition. However, if you are close to the deadline, you can file a motion requesting an extension before the 180-day deadline passes. Contact your Family Court clerk or attorney immediately if you cannot meet this deadline.

Yes. In fact, the parenting education requirement is triggered by filing. When you file a custody or visitation petition or a divorce petition involving minor children, a Preliminary Injunction is automatically served requiring both parents to complete the program. You should receive notice of this requirement in the court documents served on you. Check your Preliminary Injunction order for any specific deadlines or additional instructions from your judge.

Delaware courts accept certificates from providers that meet the statutory requirements. The certificate must demonstrate completion of a program covering the topics mandated by statute. The Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families maintains a list of approved providers. You can contact this department to verify that your chosen provider is approved before enrolling.

You are not required to attend the class together with the other parent. However, you may do so if you both choose. Each parent is responsible for completing the program individually and obtaining their own certificate of completion. Both certificates must be filed with the court.

If you do not submit a certificate of completion to the court within 180 days of filing, your custody petition may be dismissed or your divorce will not be finalized. The court will not enter a final custody order or divorce decree without proof that both parents (or all parties to the custody proceeding) have completed the program. If you miss the deadline, you must file a Motion to Reinstate your case, which requires appearing before the judge and explaining the delay. This can add months to your case timeline and create additional court costs and attorney fees.

If you live outside Delaware, you may take an online program from home. However, you must verify with the Delaware Family Court that the provider you select is approved in Delaware before enrolling. If you take a program from an out-of-state provider that Delaware courts do not recognize, the court may reject your certificate and require you to retake an approved program—which delays your case and costs additional time and money.