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How to Find Public Records in Kent County in 2026

KentCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Kent County, Delaware. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital records, or other official documents may locate relevant records through a combination of county offices, state repositories, and online portals. The information available through these channels may include civil and criminal court records, land records, tax assessments, business filings, and meeting minutes, among other categories. Availability and completeness of records depend on the maintaining agency, the nature of the record, and applicable exemptions under Delaware law.

Records in Kent County may be searched through official court resources, the County Clerk's office, public access terminals at government facilities, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.

Online Access:

The Delaware Court Connect portal provides online access to judicial case records maintained by Delaware state courts, including cases filed in Kent County. First-time users may register for an account to access expanded case information.
The Kent County Recorder of Deeds maintains an online land records database accessible through the county's official website at kentcountyde.gov.
Property assessment records are searchable through the Kent County Assessment Division's online portal.
Some records require in-person inspection or a formal written request and are not available digitally.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the Kent County Clerk's Office or the relevant department maintaining the record.
Requestors should present a valid government-issued photo identification when visiting in person.
Staff at the public counter will assist in locating the requested record and advise on applicable fees.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the record sought, and the time period covered.
Under Delaware Freedom of Information Act § 10003, public bodies are required to respond to written requests within fifteen business days.

Phone/Email:

Kent County government offices may be reached by phone during regular business hours; specific numbers are listed in the contact section below.

What Are Public Records in Kent County?

Public records in Kent County are defined under Delaware law as any document, paper, letter, map, book, photograph, film, sound recording, magnetic or other tape, electronic data processing record, artifact, or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or in connection with the transaction of official business by any public body. Under 29 Del. C. § 10002, the term "public record" encompasses a broad range of government-generated and government-maintained materials.

The following categories of records are maintained by Kent County agencies:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the Delaware Courts system, including the Superior Court and Court of Common Pleas serving Kent County
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and land transfer documents held by the Recorder of Deeds
Vital records — birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates maintained by the Delaware Division of Public Health and the Office of Vital Statistics
Business records — business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations held by the Delaware Division of Corporations and local licensing offices
Tax records — property tax bills and assessment records maintained by the Kent County Assessment Division
Voting and election records — voter registration data and election results maintained by the Kent County Department of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas — records of Kent County Levy Court meetings and board proceedings
Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, subject to applicable exemptions, maintained by the Kent County Sheriff's Office and local police departments
Land use and zoning records — zoning maps, variance applications, and planning documents held by the Kent County Planning Services office

Is Kent County an Open Records County?

Kent County operates in full compliance with Delaware's statewide open records framework. Under the Delaware Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 29 Del. C. § 10001 et seq., all public bodies in the state, including county agencies, are required to make public records available for inspection and copying by any citizen of Delaware. The statute establishes a presumption of openness, placing the burden on the public body to justify any denial of access.

As stated in the Delaware FOIA statute, "it is vital in a democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner so that our citizens shall have the opportunity to observe the performance of public officials and to monitor the decisions that are made by such officials in formulating and executing public policy." This foundational principle governs all public records activity in Kent County.

The Delaware Public Archives administers and implements the Delaware Public Records law at the state level, providing guidance to public bodies and members of the public on records access rights and procedures. Kent County agencies are subject to this oversight framework and are required to maintain records management programs consistent with state standards.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Kent County?

The cost to obtain public records in Kent County varies by record type and the office maintaining the record. Under Delaware law, public bodies may charge reasonable fees for the reproduction of public records, but may not charge for the time spent inspecting records in person.

Fee Type	Standard Amount
Photocopies (black and white, letter/legal size)	$0.10 – $0.25 per page
Certified copies of court records	$10.00 per document (varies by court)
Certified copies of deeds	$1.00 per page + $2.00 certification fee
Electronic records (where available)	Varies; some records provided at no charge
Search fees	Not permitted for standard FOIA requests

Accepted payment methods at Kent County offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests made in the public interest, at the discretion of the maintaining agency.

Does Kent County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Kent County. Under Delaware FOIA, public bodies are required to permit in-person inspection of public records at no charge during regular business hours. Members of the public may review records at the public counter of the maintaining office without incurring any fee, provided the records are not exempt from disclosure.

The following resources provide free access to certain public records:

Delaware Court Connect — The judicial case database provides free online access to basic case information for matters filed in Delaware state courts, including those in Kent County.
Kent County Recorder of Deeds online portal — Deed and land record indexes are searchable at no charge through the county's online system.
Kent County Assessment Division — Property assessment data is available for free inspection through the county's online property search tool.
Delaware Public Archives — Historical government records and certain state agency records are available for free inspection at the Delaware Public Archives facility in Dover.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies of records is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Kent County?

Any citizen of Delaware may request access to public records maintained by Kent County agencies under 29 Del. C. § 10003. The statute does not require requestors to be residents of Kent County specifically, and non-residents who are Delaware citizens retain full rights of access. Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most categories of public records, and public bodies may not condition access on the disclosure of the requestor's intended use.

Identification is not required to inspect public records in person, though some offices may request identification as a matter of administrative practice. Requestors seeking certified copies of vital records — such as birth or death certificates — are subject to additional identity verification requirements under state vital records law, as these documents are restricted to the subject of the record, immediate family members, or authorized legal representatives.

Non-residents of Delaware who seek access to Kent County public records may submit written requests to the maintaining agency; however, the FOIA statute's citizen access provisions apply specifically to Delaware citizens. Non-citizens may still access records through other legal mechanisms or by visiting public access terminals in person.

What Records Are Confidential in Kent County?

Certain categories of records maintained by Kent County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under Delaware law. The Delaware FOIA statute, at 29 Del. C. § 10002(l), enumerates specific exemptions that public bodies may invoke to withhold records or portions of records from public inspection.

Records that are currently exempt from disclosure include:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency proceedings are confidential under Delaware Family Court rules
Ongoing criminal investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled for active investigations are exempt to the extent disclosure would impede the investigation
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records
Medical records — Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order or specific statutory procedures
Child welfare and protective services records — Maintained as confidential by the Delaware Division of Family Services
Personnel records — Employee records are exempt except for information relating to the public duties and compensation of public employees
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Exempt to protect public safety

As stated in the Delaware FOIA statute, "the right of the public to be present at and to observe and hear the deliberations and actions of public bodies shall be protected." This principle is balanced against the enumerated exemptions, and public bodies are required to disclose any reasonably segregable non-exempt portions of a record even when portions are withheld.

Kent County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Kent County Recorder of Deeds
555 Bay Road
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 744-2314
Kent County Recorder of Deeds

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Kent County Assessment Division
555 Bay Road
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 744-2401
Kent County Assessment Division

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Kent County Clerk of the Peace
555 Bay Road
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 744-2310
Kent County Clerk of the Peace

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Superior Court of Delaware – Kent County
38 The Green
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 739-5332
Superior Court of Delaware

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Delaware Public Archives
121 Duke of York Street
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 744-5000
Delaware Public Archives

Office Hours:
Tuesday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 3:45 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 12:45 PM
Closed Sunday, Monday, and state holidays