Find Court Records in Kent County
Kent County court records sit at the Kent County Courthouse in Dover. 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 Kent County court records online through CourtConnect or by visiting the clerk's office. Dover is the state capital and the county seat, so many major filings flow through this building.
Kent County Overview
Kent County Court System
Kent County sits in the heart of Delaware. The county's courts run under the state's unified judiciary structure. The Superior Court, the Court of Common Pleas, the Family Court, and the Justice of the Peace Courts all operate in Kent County. Court records in Kent County cover civil, criminal, probate, domestic, and traffic cases. Online access tools include CourtConnect and the state's electronic filing systems.
Public records in Kent County include court documents, property records, and marriage licenses. The Kent County Courthouse at 414 Federal Street, Dover, is the main site for in-person record requests. The Delaware Public Archives in Dover keeps historical court records. The Delaware State Law Library in Dover offers legal research resources.
The Kent County Courthouse sits on a 5.3-acre site bordered by Federal, Water, and The Green streets. Occupants include the Superior Court, the Court of Common Pleas, Justice of the Peace Court 16, 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 here. Full courthouse info is at Kent County Courthouse Information.
The image below shows the Kent County Courthouse information page.
The page covers hours, security rules, and a map of the site.
Kent County Superior Court Records
The Kent County Superior Court is at 38 The Green, Dover, DE 19901. The main entrance is 414 Federal Street. Phone is (302) 735-1900. The TDD line is (302) 739-1587. Fax is (302) 739-6717. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM. The court handles felonies, civil cases over $50,000, appeals from lower courts, and jury trials. Full contact info is at Kent County Superior Court.
The Superior Court has four public access terminals at the courthouse. Access is by appointment only. Call (302) 735-1902 to request a day and time. You can also email Kirra.Britt@delaware.gov with "Public Access" in the subject line. One appointment per day is allowed. Book at least 24 hours in advance.
The Kent County Superior Court page is shown below.
The page links to forms, rules, and contact info for the Prothonotary's Office on the first floor.
To request a copy of Kent County Superior Court records, use the court records request form. Submit by mail, email, or in person. Paper request forms are at the county clerk's office. Provide the names of the plaintiff and defendant, the case file number, and the filing or judgment date. Search and copy fees may apply.
Kent County Court of Common Pleas
The Court of Common Pleas in Kent County handles misdemeanor criminal cases, preliminary hearings in felony cases, civil lawsuits up to $50,000, and appeals from the Justice of the Peace Court. It also runs Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and DUI cases. The county contact is Julie Brooks at 302-735-3925. For victim address changes in restitution cases, email CCP_VICADDRESSCHANGE@DELAWARE.GOV.
The court maintains 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 resolving everyday problems, disputes, and more complex legal matters.
Kent County Family Court Records
The Kent County Family Court is at the Family Courthouse, 400 Court Street, Dover, DE 19901. Phone is (302) 672-1000. The Records Room is open Monday through Friday (no legal holidays) from 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. Full page is at Kent County Family Court.
Three types of copies are available: photocopy, certified copy, and exemplified copy. Fees are in the Schedule of Assessed Costs posted in the Records Unit and Cashier's Unit. Family Court records are not available online due to privacy rules. Call the Kent County Family Court at 302-672-1000 for case info. The court does not currently accept eFiling. All filings must be in person at the clerk's office.
Below is the Kent County Family Court page.
The page lists hours, procedures, and forms for family matters. The Family Court serves all of Kent County including Dover, Smyrna, and Harrington.
Note: Family Court case files in Kent County cannot be searched on CourtConnect. Call 302-672-1000 or visit the records room in Dover.
Kent County Recorder of Deeds
The Kent County Recorder of Deeds records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property-related documents. The office's mission is to serve Kent County by correctly recording and indexing documents in a timely way, responding to help requests, collecting fees and taxes, and supporting staff. More on the office is at Kent County Recorder of Deeds.
Property records can be accessed through the Kent County Levy Court's Online Property Information Management System at kcpms.co.kent.de.us. The system provides easy access to public property records. The Recorder works with the Kent County Assessor's Office for full property info including ownership, values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history.
The Recorder of Deeds page is shown below.
Property records are key for title searches, estate work, and other legal matters that touch real estate.
Warrant Search in Kent County
To check warrant status in Kent County, several official tools exist. 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 or the Kent County Court of Common Pleas at (302) 735-3900.
Other options include consulting a licensed Delaware attorney who can access court records, or inquiring at any Delaware State Police Troop location with proper ID. Active warrants may result in immediate arrest under Delaware Court Rules. The judiciary recommends addressing outstanding warrants promptly through proper legal channels.
Kent County Probate Records
Probate records have been kept by the register of wills in Kent County since 1682. The Delaware Public Archives holds most of the original records. The Archives has an index for roughly 1680 to 1925 online at archives.delaware.gov. Kent County probate resources include the Calendar of Kent County Probate Records (1680-1800), Kent County Guardian Accounts, Kent County Probate Case Files (1935-1955), and Kent County Wills (1680-1860) with an Index to Wills through 1948.
The Kent County Orphan's Court Records cover roughly 1680 to 1978. The Orphans Court has jurisdiction over appointing guardians for minors and over the estates of minors. Wills, administrations, and guardian accounts through about 1850 are often listed in Orphans' Court records.
Cities in Kent County
These cities fall under the Kent County court system. Cases are filed at the Kent County Courthouse in Dover or at the closest Justice of the Peace Court.
Milford sits on the Kent and Sussex County line. Some Milford cases are filed in Sussex depending on the location tied to the matter.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Kent County. If you are not sure where your case was filed, check the address of the parties or the site of the incident.