Delaware Public Records

Public records in Delaware are administered by a number of different divisions and departments. Some records are maintained at the state level and some at the county level. In general, Delaware's public records are fairly easy to find and access with many of them available online.

Vital Records

In Delaware, vital records - including records of birth, death, marriage, and divorce - are administered by the State of Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Office of Vital Statistics. People can order vital records in four ways.

Online - To request records online, visit third party processor VitalChek. There is an additional cost associated with using this service, but it is often the most convenient option.

By Mail - To request records by mail, send a written request to:

Office of Vital Statistics
Jesse S. Cooper Building
417 Federal Strret
Dover, DE 19901

In Person - To request records in person, visit the Jesse S. Cooper Building or either of the other two Office of Vital Statistics locations:

In Newark:

University Office Plaza - Chopin Building
258 Chapman Road
Newark, DE 19702

In Georgetown:

Thurman Adams State Service Center
546 S. Bedford Street
Georgetown, DE 19947

By Phone - To request records by phone, call the Office of Vital Statistics at 1-877-888-0248.

Criminal Records

The Delaware State Bureau of Identification administers criminal history records. Records can only be requested in person, at one of three locations. The locations are listed on this page. Check the details carefully; a couple of the offices keep only limited hours.

Additionally, the State of Delaware subscribes to VineLink, a searchable criminal offender database. Thus, Delaware inmate and criminal offender records are available for online search. On the left side of the page there is a menu of search options. VineLink can also be reached by phone at (877) 338-8463.

Court Records

The Delaware County Clerks Organization maintains a searchable online database of court records. It's free and the records can be viewed online. Begin here: www.delawarecountyclerk.org. Click the Public Access button. Records are searchable by name, date, or case number.

Business Records

The Delaware Division of Corporations maintains business records for corporations and limited liability companies. The business entity records typically include such information as the name and file number of the business, the names of any officers or agents, and the date of formation. The document search page is available here.

The Delaware Division of Corporations can be reached by phone at (302) 739-3073. Its main office is located in the John G. Townsend Building, Suite 4, 401 Federal Street in Dover, 19901.

Property Records

In Delaware, property records are maintained at the county level, at the county (and/or city) Assessor's Office. Contact your local Assessors office for property information.

Driving Records

Driving records are administered by the Delaware Department of Motor Vehicles. People can order their own driving records by mail. First print and fill out the Personal Information Release Form. Delaware requires that the form is notarized and recommends including a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Also include the $15.00 fee and mail it to:

Division of Motor Vehicles
ATTN: Driver License Aministration
P.O. Box 698
Dover, DE 19903

For more information, call the DMV at (302) 744-2506.