Different departments keep public records in Delaware. As much as public data is accessible in the State, a considerable number are sealed by law and not approved for general viewing. Some documents, on the other hand, are challenging to find. The processes for finding and obtaining open information in Delaware vary from one agency to another. Different government bodies have different procedures and requirements for obtaining documents. To access open information in the State, interested parties must put in a request for public records, which may go through email, mail, or by putting a call to the record-holding agency. In Delaware, the specified response time to a request is 15 days.
Delaware Court Records
Court records predominantly contain many documents, including procession minutes, dockets, court orders, judgment documents, case files, jury records, and witness documentation. Court records can be very tedious to access, considering the information resides in various judicial locations; therefore, a requester needs to know precisely where to look. The types of data you wish to obtain will dictate where you need to go. The Delaware Public Archives holds most of the original court papers in the State. Other files from dispute cases and proceedings are available at the Family History Library. The National Archives and Records Administration provides a step-by-step guide on requesting copies of paper case documents in closed cases retrieved for storage. You can opt to check the official website of the United States District Court, District of Delaware, to obtain copies of judicial filings.
Furthermore, You will find a guide on fees attached to getting these records. The District Court’s website has a link to quickly navigate Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER). Alternatively, you can pay an in-person visit to the Office of the Clerk at:
United States District Court
844 North King St., Unit 18
Wilmington, DE 19801-3570
Phone: 302-573-6170
Email: [email protected]
Clerk’s Office Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Vital Records
Vital records are life’s milestone events, including child delivery, demise, marital union, and divorce documented for future access by individuals or the State. Delaware preserves these documents with the agency for vital information in the State. However, this state-level data-keeping office does not keep divorce documents since the County where the final termination of the marital union took place handles them. Individuals can obtain critical papers by visiting the Delaware Office designated for Vital information. However, the agency advises requesters to get certified documents of interest in the State through online portals provided by the Delaware Health and Social services agency (DHSS). It is salient to note that processing fees are attached to obtaining certified duplicates of personal information. Birth, demise, and marital union papers in Delaware cost $25.00. Certified copies for marital dissolution are not available from the state office. Parties interested in getting dissolution information can reach the Family Court in the County that granted the divorce. You can contact the Delaware vital statistics department at :
Office of Vital Statistics
Division of Public Health
417 Federal Street
Dover, DE 19901
For inquiries on current fees call: (302) 744-4549
Criminal Records in Delaware
In Delaware, though people inquire about criminal records for several reasons, the most common are recruiters looking to know more about an intending worker. A malefactor history check provides information on an individual’s run-ins with law enforcement, including apprehensions and sentencing data and jail-time within the State. The Delaware State Police, via the State Bureau of Identification (SBI), Controls Delaware’s background checks. The SBI operates the fingerprint-based background search, and the requester must provide the subject’s fingerprint card. This system offers safety and security for all; to carry out a check on an individual, the person must consent. Note that individuals seeking information must identify themselves using a valid state-issued identification. The SBI charges $52.00 for a criminal background examination. The State and Federal Criminal history scrutiny, which must have legal authorization, costs $65.00. Though malefactor data is available, their information may be limited. You can get a certified Delaware malefactor history online using the Delaware state police website. Alternatively, you can perform a walk-in search at:
Delaware State Police
600 S. Bay Road Suite 1
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: 302-739-2528 (to get an appointment),
(302) 739-5884 for more information regarding a certified criminal history
Office hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
The Sex Offender Registry in Delaware
Delaware State has a central sex offender registry that contains information on registered sex offenders who the courts have classified as moderate-risk or high-risk. Those categorized as low-risk do not have exposure on the public website. The Delaware SBI maintains this registry and updates relevant data regularly to ensure accuracy. The sex offender registry is open to everyone in the community to ensure safety. To this end, the State has provided various ways to keep those living within the state alert. The State has created an email subscription service to offer changes and additions to the State Bureau of Identification Sex Offender Central Registry. You can subscribe to the State’s information service on sex offenders to receive notifications. You can search the sex offender registry online to find sex offenders within the State.
Property Records in Delaware
Property records are legal filings that include important data about real property. Property records generally refer to the deed to a land, which is a document that shows who has present legal ownership of a property. The Recorder of Deeds in the County of the property location keeps property information in Delaware. The Delaware Public Archives website is an appropriate tool to search for property records or deed records within the State. Requesters can also search for records physically by making an appointment via call or email. The number to call is (302) 744-500 or send an email to [email protected]. Appointment times are 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Mondays to Fridays at:
Delaware Public Archives
121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. North
Dover, DE 19901
Business Public Records in Delaware
These are business registers of actions recorded with a government agency for tax and regulatory requirements. This information is accessible to everyone to protect the interest of the filer. The information contained in this record may include tax liens, bankruptcy, judgments, collections, and UCC Fillings for the business. Delaware Division of Corporations maintains business data in the State. You can access data on any corporation or search for companies in the State through the corporation’s division. The search portal provided by the division allows you to search for entities by either name or file number. The Department of State controls the Division of Corporation. For walk-in orders or mailing services, contact the Delaware Public Archives or the Department of State at:
Office of the Secretary of State
401 Federal St.
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: (302) 739-4111, (302) 739-3073
Fax: (302) 739-3811
Conclusion
The State of Delaware Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) grants anyone access to peruse or use the public database. However, the Delaware FOIA outlines certain exceptions. These exclusions hinge on privacy for minors, health patients, ongoing police investigations, and authorized weapon carriers. Note that an agency may deny requests on exemptions and privacy grounds. Also, keep in mind that there are no appealing denied requests.