New Castle County

New Castle County is the northernmost of Delaware's three counties and the most populous, with an estimated population exceeding 570,000 residents as of recent census data. New Castle County Seat is Wilmington, Delaware's largest city, which is a major financial center and commercial hub. New Castle County covers approximately 494 square miles in the Piedmont and Atlantic Coastal Plain regions, bordered by Pennsylvania to the north, New Jersey to the east across the Delaware River, and Kent County to the south.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

New Castle County Sheriff's Office is responsible for a variety of law enforcement duties within New Castle County. It primarily focuses on serving legal documents, such as subpoenas and eviction notices, and providing security for New Castle County's courts. Unlike many other counties, the Sheriff's Office in New Castle does not operate New Castle County jail or patrol unincorporated areas, as these functions are handled by other agencies.

Police Departments

New Castle County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including New Castle County Police Department, Wilmington Police Department, Newark Police Department, and Middletown Police Department. New Castle County Police Department is responsible for patrolling unincorporated areas of New Castle County, while the municipal police departments handle law enforcement within their respective city limits. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and public safety initiatives to ensure full coverage and effective response throughout New Castle County.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

New Castle County Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of New Castle County, with headquarters at 3601 North DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE 19720 The department's website at nccde.org/police provides access to crime statistics and community resources. Within New Castle County, the Wilmington Police Department serves the city of Wilmington, the Newark Police Department serves Newark, and smaller municipal departments operate in towns like New Castle County, Middletown, and Delaware City.

• Citizens may request arrest records by submitting written FOIA requests to the arresting agency.
• Inmate lookup is available through the Delaware Department of Correction's online offender locator at doc.delaware.gov.
• Mugshots and booking photos may be obtained through FOIA requests to the arresting agency, though some recent booking photos are published on individual police department websites.
• Processing times for arrest record requests typically range from 5-15 business days depending on the agency and complexity of the request.

Criminal Records

The criminal records system in New Castle County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and sex offender registry information. New Castle County Police Department and the Delaware State Police maintain these records, which can be accessed for background checks through the Delaware State Bureau of Identification. The Bureau provides fingerprinting services and criminal history reports for residents of New Castle County.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in New Castle County are maintained by New Castle County Police Department and the Delaware State Police. These records can be requested by residents and attorneys through the appropriate law enforcement agency, following the guidelines set by the Delaware Freedom of Information Act. An arrest record in New Castle County typically includes the individual's personal information, details of the arrest, charges filed, and the arresting agency. The process for obtaining these records involves submitting a formal request, which may require a fee.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Howard R. Young Correctional Institution, located in Wilmington, is the primary jail facility for New Castle County. This facility handles the booking process for people arrested within New Castle County, and it offers an inmate lookup service through the Delaware Department of Correction's online portal. Visitation rules are specific to the facility and typically require scheduling in advance, with strict guidelines on what visitors can bring.

• The bond and bail process in Delaware involves posting bail through the court system, and individuals can find information about recently arrested persons through the Department of Correction's resources.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in New Castle County are taken and retained by the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest, typically New Castle County Police Department or the Delaware State Police. These booking photos can be accessed through the respective agency's website or by submitting a request under the Delaware Freedom of Information Act. Delaware does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, so the availability of mugshots may vary depending on the agency's policies and the nature of the case.

New Castle County is served by multiple levels of the Delaware court system. New Castle County Superior Court, located at the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center, 500 North King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, phone, handles felony criminal cases, civil matters over $50,000, and appeals from lower courts. The Court of Common Pleas for New Castle County, also at 500 North King Street, has jurisdiction over civil cases between $15,000 and $50,000, misdemeanor criminal cases, and certain family court matters.

• The Justice of the Peace Court operates multiple locations throughout New Castle County, handling civil cases under $15,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and initial criminal arraignments.
• Court records are accessible through the Delaware Courts eFiling system at courts.delaware.gov, though some records require in-person requests.
• Civil case searches are available online at no charge, but certified copies cost $2.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee.
• The Register in Chancery, located at New Castle County Courthouse, 500 North King Street, maintains equity and property dispute records.

New Castle Recorder of Deeds of Deeds, located at 87 Read's Way, New Castle, DE 19720, phone, maintains all land records for New Castle County including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, right-of-way agreements, and plat maps dating back to the colonial period. The office provides a free online land records search portal at nccde.org/350/Recorder-of-Deeds where users can search by name, parcel number, or subdivision. Recorded document images can be viewed online at no charge, with certified copies available for $10.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page.

• Property tax records and assessment information are managed by New Castle County Assessment Division and can be searched online through New Castle County's property search portal at assess.nccde.org.
• Document recording fees are $50.00 for the first four pages and $5.00 per additional page for most instruments.
• New Castle County uses the Parcel Viewer online GIS system allowing users to generate maps, view aerial photography, and access zoning information.
• Same-day certified copies are available for in-person requests, while mail requests typically process within 3-5 business days.

Birth and death certificates for New Castle County residents are issued by the Delaware Office of Vital Statistics, Division of Public Health, Jesse Cooper Building, 417 Federal Street, Dover, DE 19901 Birth certificates cost $25.00 for the first certified copy and $10.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously. Death certificates are $25.00 each. Processing time is typically 10-15 business days for mail requests. Expedited service is available for an additional $35.00 rush fee.

• Online ordering is available through VitalChek at vitalchek.com for an additional service fee, with delivery in 5-7 business days or 2-3 business days for express service.
• Eligible requestors include the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a direct and tangible interest as defined under 16 Del.
• The marriage license fee is $50.00, with a 24-hour waiting period after issuance.
• Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $10.00 and can be requested in person or by mail with proper identification.
• The Office of Vital Statistics website at dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/ss/vitlstat.html provides downloadable application forms and detailed instructions for ordering all vital records.

Business license and registration information for New Castle County is available through multiple agencies depending on the business type and location. The Delaware Division of Corporations, 401 Federal Street, Suite 4, Dover, DE 19901, maintains all corporate registrations, LLC formations, and trade name filings, with a searchable online database at icis.corp.delaware.gov. This free system allows searches by entity name or file number, displaying registered agents, formation dates, and status.

• For doing-business-as (DBA) or fictitious name registrations, businesses file with New Castle Recorder of Deeds of Deeds at 87 Read's Way, New Castle, DE 19720, phone, at a cost of $50.00 for the initial filing.
• New Castle County Department of Land Use, phone, issues building permits, occupancy permits, and handles zoning compliance for unincorporated areas, with fees varying by project scope.
• New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, located at 12 Penns Way, Suite 201, New Castle, DE 19720, phone, website ncccc.com, provides resources for business owners and maintains business directories.

Elections in New Castle County are administered by New Castle County Department of Elections, located at New Castle County Government Center, 87 Read's Way, New Castle, DE 19720, phone, with information available at nccde.org/178/Elections. The department coordinates with the Delaware Department of Elections for statewide elections and maintains voter registration records, polling place assignments, and election results for New Castle County.

• Voter registration is available online through the Delaware State Election Commissioner's Office at ivote.de.gov, by mail, or in person at the Department of Elections office.
• Delaware offers no-excuse absentee voting; any registered voter may request an absentee ballot through the Delaware Voter Portal or by submitting a written request to the Department of Elections.
• Absentee ballot requests must be received by the Friday before Election Day for mail delivery or can be requested in person through the Monday before Election Day.
• § 10002, citizens can request copies of election documentation, poll books, and related records, though certain voter information is protected under 15 Del.

New Castle County serves as Delaware's economic powerhouse, accounting for approximately 70% of the state's economic output. New Castle County's economy is heavily influenced by its status as home to more than 300,000 business entities incorporated in Delaware, with over two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies maintaining legal domiciles in the state due to favorable corporate law.

• The median household income in New Castle County is approximately $72,000, well above the national average.

Court Records: Yes: Online | Property: Yes: Free Search | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Partial Online | Vital Records: Limited: State Office Required | Business: Yes: Online | Elections: Yes: Online | Overall Score: 7.5/10, New Castle County provides excellent online access to property records, court dockets, and business filings. Jail records require state DOC search, and vital records must be ordered through the state office in Dover, slightly limiting local accessibility.

Explore public records for 17 cities and communities in New Castle County, Delaware.