How do I access court records?

Delaware Courts (state level - unified court system) / Superior Court Prothonotary / Court of Chancery / Justice of the Peace Courts

Step by Step

How to do it

Identify what type of record you need and which court handled the matter:
- Superior Court: felonies, civil cases over $75,000, appeals from lower courts
- Court of Chancery: equity matters, corporate law (Delaware's world-famous corporate court), trusts, estates
- Family Court: divorce, child custody, domestic violence, juvenile matters
- Court of Common Pleas: misdemeanors, civil cases $25,001-$75,000
- Justice of the Peace Courts: civil cases up to $25,000, misdemeanors, traffic violations
- Supreme Court and Court of Appeals: appellate matters
Search online through the Delaware Courts Case Search at courts.delaware.gov - provides access to case information for Superior Court, Court of Chancery, Family Court, and Court of Common Pleas
For full case documents or certified copies: contact the Prothonotary (Superior Court clerk) or the clerk's office for the specific court
In-person access: visit the courthouse in the relevant county; bring photo ID and case details

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
Case number or full legal name of parties

Fee

Online searches free; certified copy fees vary by court - contact specific court for current schedule

Processing Time

Immediate online searches; same day or by mail for certified copies

Online Option

Yes - Delaware Courts Case Search at courts.delaware.gov; Court of Chancery: courts.delaware.gov/chancery

Where to Go

Superior Court Prothonotary (New Castle, Kent, or Sussex County location); Court of Chancery; Family Court; or Justice of the Peace Court depending on case type

County-specific variations apply

Delaware courts are organized by county - Superior Court has locations in New Castle (Wilmington), Kent (Dover), and Sussex (Georgetown) Counties. Court of Chancery operates statewide but has primary location in Dover and satellite offices. Justice of the Peace Courts serve local jurisdictions within each county. Contact the specific court location for availability and procedures.

Delaware Notes

Important state-specific details

Delaware's COURT OF CHANCERY is world-famous - it is the preeminent corporate law court in the United States; over 60% of Fortune 500 companies are incorporated in Delaware specifically because of the Court of Chancery's expertise and predictable corporate law.
Delaware Supreme Court opinions and Court of Chancery opinions: courts.delaware.gov/opinions
Criminal history background checks: Delaware State Police Crime Records Unit - dsp.delaware.gov; available for employment, licensing, and other purposes.
Delaware Public Archives holds older court records - archives.delaware.gov | (302) 744-5000.
Juvenile records are sealed and not accessible to the public.
Delaware Freedom of Information Act (FOIA): government agencies must respond within 15 business days.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Delaware Courts - courts.delaware.gov | (302) 255-0800 (administrative office); Superior Court (varies by county): New Castle (302) 255-0800; Kent (302) 739-5332; Sussex (302) 856-5264