Dover Court Records Search

Dover court records are held at the Kent County Courthouse at 414 Federal Street. Dover is the capital city of Delaware and the county seat of Kent County. The courthouse houses the Superior Court, the Court of Common Pleas, the Family Court, the Court of Chancery, and Justice of the Peace Court 16. You can look up Dover court records through CourtConnect online or at the clerk's office in person. The Delaware Supreme Court also holds sessions on The Green in Dover.

Dover Court Records Overview

Dover is the capital city of Delaware and the county seat of Kent County. The Kent County Courthouse is at 414 Federal Street, Dover, DE 19901. The Superior Court for Kent County is at 38 The Green, Dover, phone (302) 735-1900, fax (302) 739-6717. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM. Parking is available at the city of Dover Municipal Parking Lot on Water Street between State Street and Governor's Avenue. The lot is free and within walking distance of the courthouse.

The Kent County Courthouse serves as the judicial hub for Dover and surrounding communities. Courts located at this facility include the Superior Court, the Court of Common Pleas, the Family Court, the Court of Chancery, and Justice of the Peace Court 16. The courthouse also houses the Register in Chancery, the Prothonotary, the Law Library, the Jury office, and the Capitol Police. The Attorney General and Public Defender have satellite offices in the courthouse.

Dover Superior Court Records

The Dover Superior Court handles Kent County cases. It is at 38 The Green, Dover, with the main entrance at 414 Federal Street. Phone is (302) 735-1900. TDD is (302) 739-1587. Fax is (302) 739-6717. Hours are Monday through Friday 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM. The Superior Court handles felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits over $50,000, appeals from lower courts, and jury trials. Full info is at Dover Superior Court.

To request records, submit an Application for Access to Court Records to the Prothonotary (civil) or Court Clerk (criminal). The Superior Court is the primary trial court for serious criminal and civil matters in Dover. The court maintains records of all cases filed, including case files, dockets, judgments, and orders. Certified copies can be obtained for a fee. The court provides public access terminals for searching electronic records. In-person record requests can be made during business hours. The court has four public access terminals available by appointment.

Dover Family Court Records

The Family Court for Dover and Kent County is at 400 Court Street, Dover, DE 19901. Phone is (302) 672-1000. The Records Room is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, except legal holidays. The Family Court handles divorce, child custody, visitation, support, adoption, juvenile delinquency, dependency and neglect, termination of parental rights, and domestic violence cases. Full info is at Dover Family Court.

Three types of copies are offered: photocopy, certified copy, and exemplified copy. Fees are in the Court's Schedule of Assessed Costs. Family Court records cannot be searched online due to privacy rules. Call 302-672-1000 for case info. The Family Court in Dover serves all of Kent County, including the city of Dover and surrounding communities.

Dover Court of Common Pleas

The Court of Common Pleas in Dover is at 414 Federal Street, Dover, DE 19901. The Kent County contact is Julie Brooks at 302-735-3925. The court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, preliminary hearings in felony cases, civil lawsuits up to $50,000, and appeals from the Justice of the Peace Court. The court also manages Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and DUI Court programs.

The Court of Common Pleas keeps records per the Delaware Judiciary Records Retention Schedule. Criminal case files are held for 7 to 10 years after final disposition. Civil case files are held for 7 years. The court provides a neutral forum for the resolution of everyday problems, disputes, and more complex legal matters. Records requests can be made by contacting the Kent County Court of Common Pleas office directly.

Dover Justice of the Peace Courts

Justice of the Peace Court 16 is at the Kent County Courthouse, 414 Federal Street, Dover, DE 19901. Phone is 302-739-4316. Fax is 302-674-7111. This location handles civil matters. Justice of the Peace Court 7 is at 480 Bank Lane, Dover, DE 19904, phone 302-739-4554. It handles criminal, truancy, and DUI matters. The statewide JP Court list is at the Delaware Justice of the Peace Court page.

These courts serve the Dover area and surrounding Kent County communities. The Justice of the Peace Courts handle:

• Minor civil cases under $25,000
• Traffic violations and DUI matters
• Minor criminal offenses
• Preliminary hearings
• Bail hearings and warrant applications

Records can be accessed through the CourtConnect system for certain case types. Appeals from Justice of the Peace Court are heard de novo in the Court of Common Pleas.

Dover Historical Court Records

In 1683, William Penn first introduced the idea of a town called Dover as the court town for Kent County. By 1722, a courthouse was built on the square (now known as The Green). The settlement became the county seat. The city was named by William Penn for Dover in Kent, England. The capital of Delaware was moved to Dover from New Castle in 1777 due to its central location.

Colonial buildings around The Green include the Old State House (1792), which served as the capitol until 1933. The city's central square, known as The Green, was the location of many rallies and patriotic events. It remains the heart of Dover's historic district. The Green is home to the Delaware Supreme Court and the Kent County Courthouse. Dover was incorporated as a town in 1829 and as a city in 1929. The Hall of Records in Dover displays King Charles II's royal grant and William Penn's deeds to Delaware. Historical court records from before 1831 are preserved at the Delaware Public Archives in Dover.

Dover Public Records Directory

Dover public records are maintained by various Kent County and state agencies. The Kent County Courthouse at 414 Federal Street serves as the judicial hub. Court records can be accessed in person or through the Delaware Courts online case lookup system. The Delaware State Police State Bureau of Identification at 1407 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901 provides criminal background checks. Phone is (302) 739-5880.

The Delaware Public Archives, also in Dover, maintains historical court records and genealogical information. Property records are managed by the Kent County Assessor's Office and Recorder of Deeds. Vital records can be obtained through the Delaware Division of Public Health, Office of Vital Statistics. The Delaware State Law Library in Dover provides access to legal resources and case law research materials. The James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in Smyrna serves as the primary detention facility for Kent County.

Dover Warrant Search

To determine warrant status in Dover and Kent County, you can use several official verification methods. The Delaware Criminal Justice Information System keeps the most current database of active warrants. You can access the online wanted person review system through the Delaware State Police website. You can also contact the Kent County Superior Court Prothonotary's Office at (302) 735-1900.

Other verification methods include visiting the Kent County Court of Common Pleas, consulting with a licensed Delaware attorney, or inquiring at any Delaware State Police Troop location with proper ID. Active warrants may result in immediate arrest under Delaware Court Rules. The Kent County Courthouse Records Division is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM for warrant searches.

Nearby Cities

These Delaware cities are close to Dover. Harrington and Milford also fall under the Kent County court system for most local cases.

County Court Info

Dover is the seat of Kent County. Visit the county page for the full list of courts, forms, and clerk contact info.