About Delaware Public Records

About Delaware public records

Delaware is the second smallest of all states in the U.S. and governed by separately operating agencies and departments. As a high number of corporate filings, Delaware's division of Corporations role in providing verification information is vital to requestors inside and outside the state. Public Access Web Service document viewer to the state's three county recorders for New Castle, Kent and Sussex offers select real estate information, sales and transfers. State regulators for professional license's database verifies information for 35 fields and over one hundred professions. Certified criminal records to the public can be obtained from the Delaware State Bureau of Identification. To help with court records, the state clearly outlines the policy regarding public access to judicial records at courts.delaware.gov

State background and court information

The state of Delaware is located on the Eastern Seaboard of the United States and covers an area of 1,982 square miles. The state is populated by 897,934 people, resulting in a population density of 401 persons per square mile. Delaware entered the union in December, 1787, and was the first of the original thirteen states to ratify the U.S. Constitution, later earning it's state nickname of 'The First State'. The capital city of Delaware is Dover. Located just outside the capital city is Dover Air Force Base, one of the main employers in the state. The largest employer, however, is the State of Delaware itself. Because of Delaware's business friendly corporation and tax franchise laws, 50% of the publicly traded corporations in America are incorporated in Delaware, as well as 60% of Fortune 500 companies.

As in other states, Delaware conforms to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to provide public access to state documents and records in an effort to allow the citizenry to monitor the performance of state agencies and public companies. Information regarding official state decisions, the operation of state agencies and access to meeting minutes can be requested online. Records and documents maintained by most state agencies are also available. Reasonably, there is certain information that is exempt from the FOIA, such as personal medical files, intelligence records, trade secrets, pending litigation, public library users and other records that would infringe on personal privacy rights.

Delaware criminal histories and records are maintained by the Delaware State Identification Bureau, a division of the Delaware State Police. This would include crime reports, fingerprint records, firearm purchase approvals and the official state sex offender registry. These records can be requested individually through Kent, Sussex and New Castle counties. Procedures vary by county and are outlined on the Delaware State Police website.

Because there are a large number of the nation's corporations and companies that file in Delaware, public access to state business records and assets are in great demand. Corporation and UCC filing information is available through the office of the Delaware Secretary of State. The Delaware Entity Search is available online and provides a database of both active and inactive entities. Another useful resource is the Recorder of Deeds office maintained by each county. These individual county web sites offer online document searches of land transaction records, corporate filings and financing statements.

Delaware provides public access to many of the state's court records. The state court system is broken down by individual courts such as Superior, Appellate, Family, Bankruptcy, Supreme, and Court of Common Pleas. The court system provides online database searches via the various court web sites. This information would also include records on civil judgments and liens, divorces and criminal cases.

Delaware's Alderman's court hears cases involving misdemeanors traffic and minor violations. Delaware's justice of the peace courts have jurisdiction over real property rights ($0/$15,000), small claims (where the amount in controversy ranges from $0-$15,000). Criminal justice court hears misdemeanor cases.

Family courts have exclusive jurisdiction over domestic relations matters. The justice of the peace courts have exclusive jurisdiction over juvenile matters, hear cases involving misdemeanors, traffic, criminal appeals and hold venue to preliminary hearings. Delaware's courts of common pleas hear tort cases, contract cases, real property rights cases ($0/$50,000), and other miscellaneous civil and civil appeals matters.

Superior courts hear torts, contracts, real property rights, mental health matters, civil and civil appeals, exclusive felony jurisdiction of misdemeanors and criminal appeals matters.

Chancery courts hear torts, contracts, real property rights matters, and mental health matters, has exclusive jurisdiction over estate matters.

State's highest court, the Delaware Supreme court has mandatory jurisdiction over cases involving civil matters, capital criminal matters, criminal matters, disciplinary matters, advisory opinions for the executive and legislature and original proceeding matters, has discretion to hear ("discretionary jurisdiction") cases involving civil matters, noncapital criminal matters, certified questions from federal courts, and interlocutory decision matters.

Court records and filings

Delaware court records are maintained by the Delaware Courts system including the Supreme Court, Court of Chancery, Superior Court, and Family Court. Delaware Court of Chancery is renowned for handling corporate law cases.

Case information is available through the Delaware Courts online portal and individual court offices.

Criminal records and background checks

Delaware criminal records are maintained by the Delaware State Police State Bureau of Identification (SBI). Criminal history background checks are obtained through fingerprints and require photo identification. IdentoGo is the exclusive provider for Delaware criminal history reports through electronic fingerprinting. Court records are accessible through Delaware CourtConnect for civil cases. The Delaware State Police operates the Sex Offender Registry. The Delaware Department of Correction provides an inmate locator and central offender records access.

Vital records

Statewide Delaware vital records. Search births, marriage records and death certificates. Divorces filed with courts. State vital records offices. Link to the agencies in Delaware and order vital records. Many records are public information available to the public from private and government entities. You can use information to verify your records. Look up vital statistics and free vital searches in Delaware to conduct research online.

Government records and agencies

Access Delaware government agencies and obtain information on executive branches, legislative branches and jucidial branches within state jurisdiction. Link below to the state government agencies as well as state government information and services. Other state government resources such as codified state law, voters registration and other state government departments

Driving and vehicle records

Direct Delaware official government links to driver license and registration resources. Vehicle registration, tags, driving history, online forms, office locations, and hours.

Expungements and record clearing

Expunge your criminal past of felonies, misdemeanors, D.U.I convictions and more in the state of Delaware. Get information regarding expungements and begin to erase your previous Delaware criminal records statewide as well as nationwide. Some records can contain inaccurate or erroneous information that can be amended. Both juvenile and adult cases that can be corrected and begin your search for employment without a tainted past showing.

Genealogy and historical research

Delaware genealogy related links and topics. Individual state search of your ancestors, start a family tree, browse census records and more online.

Missing children resources

The state of Delaware has numerous response systems in place when a child is reported missing. Criminal activity in the form of child abduction is dealth with in a very straightforward manner. The Delaware State Police support the Amber Alert system which provides immediate notification to the public and law enforcement agencies the details of a missing child. Active Amber Alerts are also available online. The Delaware Missing Children Clearinghouse is a system of interstate communication of information relating to missing children. A multitude of resources exist to support parents and guardians attempting to navigate the search and recovery process when a child is missing. Multiple internet sites offer lists, photos, and details of children currently missing in Delaware, as well as a list of current alerts for children reported missing. Publications are also available offering safety tips and information for parents and child identification suggestions.