Delaware Public Records
This is the Delaware State Records website. Its mission is to provide Delawareans with the right to examine and obtain public records. This is in accordance with the Delaware Freedom of Information Act, which ensures government information and records are available to the public.
The goal of this website is to ensure all members of the general public are able to exercise their right to access Delaware state public records. This can be done without requiring a reason for accessing such information or providing personal information unless the requested information is confidential by law or court decision.
The following information is available through the Delaware State Records website: criminal records, court records, and vital records, and it includes over 8.5 million transparent public records.
Are Delaware Records Public?
Yes. In most cases, records generated by the state of Delaware are accessible by the public. The Delaware Freedom of Information Act defines public records as any piece of information produced, owned, used, or retained by any public body while performing its duties.
The Act does not specify whether or not non-citizens of the state of Delaware can access or obtain its public records. However, certain records are considered exemptions and may not be available for public view. Most times, such records are restricted due to the sensitive information they contain. Examples of such records may include information that may invade a person’s privacy, reveal a trade secret, and more.
What is Considered Public Information in Delaware?
Delaware public records may include some of the following:
- Public Delaware birth records
- Public death records
- Public Delaware criminal records
- Delaware Public Arrest Records
- Public marriage records
- Delaware public court records
- Public Delaware bankruptcy records
- Public inmate records
- Public divorce records
- Public Delaware sex offender records (The Delaware Sex Offender Registry)
- Public property records
- Records of civil and criminal cases
Delaware public records may exist in various forms or shapes, such as documents, recordings, books, photographs, maps, cards, microfilms, papers, electronic data processing, writings, letters, reports, graphs, and more. As established under the Delaware Freedom of Information Act, interested persons may obtain desired public records by contacting the public body responsible for keeping such records. Anyone in need of these data can conduct public data searches as allowed by Delaware's open records law. Individuals seeking a Public Records Act request can fill out the request form on the state website. While one can carry out a degree of free public data search, copies of records may require extra cost.
How Do I Find Public Records in Delaware?
Interested persons can find public records in Delaware by contacting the public body in charge of such records. In compliance with the Delaware Freedom of Information Act, public bodies are mandated to respond timely to all record requests upon receipt. Although the requirements to obtain public records may differ from one agency to another, below are some of the steps interested persons can follow:
Decide on the Type of Record
An important step to obtaining Delaware public records is by deciding and identifying details of the record. To facilitate record search, interested persons are to provide details on the records they seek. Examples of such information required may include the type of record, case number, date, names of parties involved, and more. Lack of adequate information provided by requestors is a major cause of record requests being denied.
Contact the Agency in Charge
The next step is for interested persons to contact the agency or body in charge of the record. For instance, the Delaware State Police maintains and provides access to Delaware criminal records and sex offender information in the state. On the other hand, the Department of Correction provides access to inmate records. Requests for Delaware court records may be addressed to the Superior court clerk or the county court clerk in the court house where the hearing took place, and the Delaware Department of Health provides access to vital records.
Therefore, it is crucial to know the agency responsible for a specific record.
Prepare a Written Request
Although some departments or agencies now provide access to online request forms, requestors may still need to prepare written requests to obtain copies of a record. Some departments may request written requests to facilitate tracking. A written request may contain some of the following information:
- The requestor's full name
- The requestor's contact details (address, phone number, and more.)
- Detailed information about the record
- The type of record
- The date range for the record
- The preferred mode to deliver the record
- Additional information that may aid the record requests
Review and Submit the Request
Interested persons can review the information provided before submitting their requests to the record custodian. Also, depending on the agency, requesters can submit their requests in person, by fax, by mail, or online. More often than not, the contact details of any agency or department are provided on the “Contact Us” page of their website.
It should be noted that the information required to process record requests will vary depending on the kind of record. For instance, persons seeking certified criminal records will may be required to provide the written and notarized consent of the record holder. Similar to requests for certified criminal records, queries regarding certified vital records, adoption records or records pertaining to a juvenile (including court records) require the consent of the record holder of their representative.
Using Third-Party Sites
City Records
Public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search such as:
- The name of the subject involved in the record (subject must be older than 18 or not juvenile)
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Public Records
Public records can also be accessed from third-party websites. These third-party public records aggregate websites offer search services that are non-geographically limited, making the search result expansive and typically straightforward. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The name of the subject involved in the record as long as the subject is not a juvenile
- The last known or location of the record subject
Third-party public records search websites are not government-sponsored services. Therefore, the availability and accuracy of results can vary.
How Do I Lookup Public Records for Free in Delaware?
Requesting a physical inspection is one way to look up public records for free in Delaware. This option provides a cost-free alternative for requestors who ask, “where can I search public records for free?”. Most times, and as permitted by law, public bodies do not charge record inspection fees, so, one can carry out a free data search. Therefore, interested persons may contact the appropriate public body during business hours to inspect desired records against making copies. In the case of inspection of records Individuals seeking data accessible to the public can also contact the county clerk's office, county recorder’s office or the office of the Superior court clerk.
Also, requesters can look up public records for free in Delaware using available online resources. Most times, the department or agency in charge of the record they seek may maintain an online database for its public records. For instance, Delaware State Police maintains an online sex offender central registry. The online database allows the public to access information about sex offenders in the state including their criminal records or criminal history information, current location, physical description and other details of note. Interested persons can search using the offender's last name, first name, workplace, house number, county, city, zip code, and other combinations available.
Delaware began creating public records from as far back as the year 1905 upon the creation of the state. These records typically include information from all 3 counties. As digitization becomes more standard - over the past 30 years - both third-party and government websites have started to make these records available online. This helps to ensure Delaware abides by the commitment of the United States of America to remain a fair and just society for all.
