Lewes Court Records Lookup
Lewes court records are handled through the Sussex County court system. Local matters go to Justice of the Peace Court 2 in nearby Rehoboth Beach. Larger civil and criminal cases are heard at the Sussex County Courthouse in Georgetown. You can search Lewes court records online through CourtConnect or visit the courthouse in person. Lewes was the original Sussex County seat before the courts moved to Georgetown in 1791.
Lewes Court Overview
Lewes Historical Court Context
Lewes is located in Sussex County and served as the original county seat before the courts were moved to Georgetown in 1791. The first deed for land in the lower part of the State was for a tract at Lewes, granted July 2, 1672. The area was known as The Whorekill before 1680 and as Deale from 1680 to 1683. In 1678, the Dutch established a court at Lewes. The English recaptured the area in 1674 and continued the courts.
The Court of Common Pleas and Court of Quarter Sessions operated in Lewes from the late 17th century until 1791. Historical court records from this period are kept at the Delaware Public Archives. The current Sussex County Courthouse is in Georgetown. Modern court services for Lewes residents come through the Sussex County court system.
Lewes Sussex County Records
Lewes residents access court records through the Sussex County court system. The Sussex County Courthouse at 1 The Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947 houses the Superior Court, the Court of Common Pleas, the Family Court, the Court of Chancery, and the Justice of the Peace Courts. Justice of the Peace Court 2 in Rehoboth Beach serves the Lewes area at 35252 Hudson Way, #1, phone 302-645-6163.
Court records available to the public include:
- Civil case files, with certain exceptions
- Criminal case files, post-charging
- Judgments and court orders
- Docket sheets and hearing schedules
Restricted records include juvenile records, mental health proceedings, Family Court records with minors, sealed records, and documents containing personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers. Standard copy fees are $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost extra.
Lewes Genealogical and Historical Records
Historical records related to Lewes include ecclesiastical records of St. Peter's P.E. Church from 1689, vestry book records from 1790-1852, and inscriptions on tombstones in the churchyard. Court records from 1681-1710 are among the historical documents preserved. The Delaware Public Archives maintains many original records from the Lewes area.
Genealogical resources for Lewes include abstracts of wills and administrations, probate records from 1683-1695, and copies of county papers including agreements, appraisements, deeds, surveys, and warrants. These historical records provide valuable information about early residents and legal proceedings in the Lewes area. Researchers can access these materials at the Delaware Public Archives in Dover. Browse the collection at Delaware Public Archives.
Below is the Delaware Public Archives Orphans' Court records page, which holds many files tied to Lewes families.
The Archives staff give a price quote within 10 business days once you email a search result. The email address is archives@delaware.gov.
Lewes Modern Court Access
Lewes residents use the Sussex County court system for all judicial matters. The Sussex County Courthouse in Georgetown provides access to the Superior Court for felony cases and civil matters over $50,000, the Court of Common Pleas for misdemeanors and civil cases up to $50,000, the Family Court for domestic relations and juvenile matters, and the Court of Chancery for equity cases.
Online access is available through Delaware Court Connect for civil case searches. In-person requests can be made at the Sussex County Courthouse. Justice of the Peace Court 2 in Rehoboth Beach handles minor matters for the Lewes area. Records requests should include case numbers or party names and may require payment of copy fees.
Note: Lewes historical court records from before 1791 are often at the Delaware Public Archives in Dover, not in Georgetown.
Lewes Criminal History Records
Lewes residents who need a certified Delaware criminal history must go to the Delaware State Police State Bureau of Identification. Under 11 Del. C. ยง 8513(d), the SBI is the sole source. The office is at 1407 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901. Phone is (302) 739-5880. Each background check costs $52. A rolled fingerprint card and valid photo ID are required. The SBI also handles mandatory expungements under Subchapter VII of Chapter 43 of Title 11 of the Delaware Code.
Lewes Family Court Records
The Sussex County Family Court handles all Lewes family cases. It is at 22 The Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947. Phone is (302) 855-7400. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The court handles divorce, child custody, visitation, support, adoption, juvenile delinquency, dependency and neglect, termination of parental rights, and domestic violence cases.
Three types of copies are available: 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. Divorce records are retained permanently. Custody records are kept until the youngest child reaches age 21.
Sussex Superior Court for Lewes
Lewes felony and major civil matters route to the Sussex County Superior Court at the Sussex County Courthouse, 1 The Circle, Suite 2, Georgetown. Phone is (302) 855-7055. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with public access beginning at 8:30. The Superior Court handles civil cases over $50,000, felony criminal cases, appeals from lower courts, and certain administrative appeals. It runs jury trials in both civil and criminal matters.
The court has two public access terminals at the Prothonotary's Office on the second floor. Access is by appointment. Call or email the prothonotary's office with "Public Access" in the subject line to book a time. In-person visitors should note the strict cell phone policy at the Sussex County Courthouse. Cellular telephones and other personal communication devices, including iWatches, are prohibited.
Court of Common Pleas for Lewes Cases
Lewes misdemeanor cases and civil matters up to $50,000 go to the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas. The court is at 1 The Circle, Suite 1, Georgetown. Phone is (302) 858-5700. The county contact is Shelly Swafford at 302-858-5756. The court also runs Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and DUI Court programs. Appeals from the Justice of the Peace Court also land here. Records are held for 7 to 10 years for criminal matters and 7 years for civil cases.
For Lewes residents who need to track a case, CourtConnect is the first stop. Criminal case records for the Justice of the Peace Court can be accessed through the portal for certain case types. Traffic violations are the most common JP case type visible online. More detailed files may require an in-person request at the courthouse.
Nearby Cities
These Delaware cities are near Lewes. Seaford is the largest city in the western part of Sussex County. Milford sits just north on the Kent County line.
County Court Info
Lewes falls under Sussex County. The county page has full court contacts, addresses, and forms.