Delaware Court Records | Free Public Search 2026

Delaware Court Records Overview

Delaware court records are official records created in cases handled by Delaware courts. These may include case numbers, party names, filing dates, civil dockets, judgments, motions, court activities, hearing details, Family Court records, Superior Court records, Court of Common Pleas records, Justice of the Peace Court records, Chancery matters, Supreme Court filings, orders, opinions and public documents that are not sealed or restricted.

The Delaware Judiciary includes the Supreme Court, Court of Chancery, Superior Court, Family Court, Court of Common Pleas, Justice of the Peace Court, Administrative Office of the Courts and related agencies. Because Delaware has several different courts, the right search tool depends on the court and case type. A civil debt case, landlord-tenant matter, divorce file, business dispute, estate matter, criminal background check and federal lawsuit may all require different official sources.

For online civil case information, Delaware CourtConnect is the most useful official starting point. The official Civil Case Search page says CourtConnect allows access to civil dockets by searching a person’s name, business name or case type, searching for judgments against a person or business, and displaying case information or activities. However, not every Delaware court record is fully online, and some records require an in-person courthouse visit, records department appointment or separate request process.

Delaware Court Records Free Public Search: What Is Free and What Is Not

Many people search for “Delaware court records free public search” because they want to check a case without paying a private background-check website. The official Delaware Civil Case Search and CourtConnect pages are the best first step for civil docket information. CourtConnect is available online and can help users search civil dockets, judgments and case activities.

Free public search does not mean every record, document, certified copy, transcript, eFiling, background check or courthouse service is free. Some case information is viewable online, but court documents may require courthouse terminals, records department access, copy charges, appointment scheduling, clerk assistance or the correct court’s request process. Family Court records have their own access rules, and criminal history checks are not provided as one consolidated court search.

The Delaware Courts public access policy page clearly warns that the courts cannot provide a consolidated Delaware criminal history. Requests for certified copies of Delaware criminal history must be directed to the Delaware State Police State Bureau of Identification. This is a major difference between a court case lookup and an official criminal background record.

Official Portal Confusion: CourtConnect, eFlex, File & Serve, File & ServeXpress and PACER

Delaware court access can feel confusing because multiple official systems exist. CourtConnect is for public civil case search in Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas and Justice of the Peace Court. eFlex is used for Justice of the Peace Court eFiling. File & Serve Delaware is used for Court of Common Pleas eFiling and eService. File & ServeXpress is used for Supreme Court, Court of Chancery, Superior Court and Register of Wills eFiling and eService.

Do not confuse the State of Delaware with Delaware County in Pennsylvania, Delaware County in Ohio, Delaware County in Indiana or any other county named Delaware. Search results often show “Delaware County” court portals that are not the State of Delaware Judiciary. For the State of Delaware, official judiciary links should come from courts.delaware.gov or courtconnect.courts.delaware.gov unless the official court page points to a filing vendor.

Delaware Case Number Search

A case number search is the cleanest way to locate Delaware court records. It reduces similar-name problems and helps court staff find the correct file if you need copies, certified records, eFiling support or document access. If you have a summons, complaint, judgment, notice, citation, filing receipt, eFiling confirmation or attorney letter, look for the full case number first.

How to search Delaware court records by case number

1. Identify the court first. Determine whether the record is in Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas, Justice of the Peace Court, Family Court, Court of Chancery, Supreme Court, Register of Wills or federal court.
2. Open the correct official source. Use CourtConnect for civil case search, Family Court record access for family records, and PACER for federal cases.
3. Enter the full case number. Keep letters, numbers and formatting as shown on your official court document.
4. Review court and party details. Confirm case type, court, county, party names, judgment information, docket events and case status.
5. Contact the court for documents if needed. A docket search is not always the same as accessing every document in the case file.

Delaware Court Records by Name

Name search is helpful when you do not know the case number. CourtConnect allows searching by a person’s name, business name or case type. Name search can produce similar-name results, so it should be used carefully. A business may appear with abbreviations, punctuation differences, trade names or entity suffixes, and individuals may appear with middle initials, former names or spelling variations.

How to search Delaware records by person or business name

1. Start with CourtConnect for civil dockets. Use the official CourtConnect person or case type search page.
2. Search the exact legal name first. Use the full last name, first name or business name as it appears on official papers.
3. Try careful variations. Use partial last name, phonetic search or business name variations if the tool supports them.
4. Verify the court and case type. Make sure the case belongs to the right Delaware court and is not from another state’s Delaware County.
5. Confirm before relying on the result. Compare case number, filing date, parties, docket activity and judgment details.

Delaware Court Docket and Court Date Lookup

Users often search “Delaware court docket,” “Delaware case search,” “Delaware civil docket,” “Delaware judgment search” or “Delaware court date lookup.” The best source depends on the court. CourtConnect is useful for public civil docket information. Family Court records may require Family Court records access procedures. Court of Chancery, Superior Court, Supreme Court and eFiling platforms may require separate access rules.

Always rely on the latest official court notice. Hearing dates can change because of continuances, settlements, court orders, emergency closures, weather, judge assignments or procedural issues. If a docket result is unclear, contact the court where the case is filed before the hearing date.

Step-by-step Delaware court date lookup

1. Identify the court on your paperwork. Look for Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas, Justice of the Peace Court, Family Court, Chancery, Supreme Court or federal court.
2. Use the matching official system. CourtConnect is for covered civil dockets; other courts may require their own contact or filing system.
3. Search by case number first. Court dates are easier to confirm by exact case number.
4. Read the latest court notice. Notices may include courtroom, judge, remote access, check-in time or special instructions.
5. Call the court if needed. Use the official Delaware Courts contact page if the online information is missing or unclear.

Delaware Civil Case Records and Judgments

Delaware civil court records may include lawsuits, contract disputes, debt cases, landlord-tenant matters, tort claims, property disputes, business disputes, civil judgments, Court of Common Pleas cases, Justice of the Peace civil cases and Superior Court civil actions. The official Civil Case Search page explains that CourtConnect gives 24-hour online access to civil case information from Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas and Justice of the Peace Court.

CourtConnect can be used to search a person’s name, business name or case type, search for judgments against a person or business and display case information or activities. This makes it the best first step for many Delaware civil case searches. However, if you need a certified copy, full document file or older material, you may still need to contact the court or use courthouse access procedures.

How to search Delaware civil records

1. Open Civil Case Search. Use the official Delaware Courts Civil Case Search page.
2. Choose the correct search method. Search by person name, business name, case type or judgment where available.
3. Review docket activities. Look for filings, hearings, judgments, dispositions and case status.
4. Check the correct court. Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas and Justice of the Peace Court handle different types of civil matters.
5. Request copies from the court if needed. A docket report may not include every document or certification.

Delaware Criminal Court Records and Criminal History Checks

Delaware criminal court records may include criminal charges, docket entries, filings, pleas, hearings, sentencing entries and orders where public access is allowed. However, users should not confuse court case information with a certified Delaware criminal history. The official public access policy page says the courts cannot provide a consolidated Delaware criminal history, and certified Delaware criminal history requests must go through the Delaware State Police State Bureau of Identification.

This distinction matters. A court case search may show a case or docket activity, but a criminal history background check is a separate official process. If you need criminal history for employment, licensing, immigration, housing, firearms, adoption, volunteer screening or government review, use the correct official SBI process rather than a private people-search site or a simple court docket lookup.

How to approach Delaware criminal record questions

1. Identify whether you need a court case or criminal history. Court records and certified criminal history are different.
2. Use the correct court for docket information. Depending on the case, Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas or Justice of the Peace Court may be involved.
3. Use SBI for certified criminal history. The courts direct certified Delaware criminal-history requests to the State Police State Bureau of Identification.
4. Ask about restricted records. Some criminal records may be sealed, expunged or restricted.
5. Request certified copies only when needed. A court copy and a criminal-history certificate serve different purposes.

Delaware Family Court, Divorce and Custody Records

Delaware Family Court records may involve divorce, custody, child support, visitation, paternity, protection from abuse, juvenile matters, dependency, neglect, adoption and other family-related issues. Family records often contain sensitive information, so access may be different from regular civil dockets.

The official Family Court Records Access page explains public access procedures and records room availability. The records room is open to the public Monday through Friday except legal holidays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., subject to listed exceptions. The online records request form lets users request an appointment or contact Family Court records departments in New Castle, Kent or Sussex County.

How to request or search Delaware Family Court records

1. Use the Family Court records access page first. Review access rules and exceptions before visiting.
2. Submit the online records request form if needed. The form is used to request an appointment or begin contact with records staff.
3. Contact the correct county records department. Family Court records are handled by county location.
4. Bring exact case details. Use full names, case number, county, filing year and document title.
5. Expect privacy restrictions. Juvenile, adoption, protection and child-related records may have restricted access.

Court of Chancery and Business Litigation Records

The Delaware Court of Chancery is nationally known for business, equity, trust and corporate matters. Chancery records may involve corporate disputes, fiduciary duty claims, mergers, injunctions, trusts, estates, guardianships and equitable remedies. Court of Chancery access is not the same as a basic CourtConnect civil search.

The official Court of Chancery page states that all filings in civil actions in the Court of Chancery must be electronically filed through File & ServeXpress by an attorney licensed to practice in Delaware. If a person has not retained Delaware counsel or is self-represented, the page directs them to contact the Register in Chancery for guidance on alternate filing methods.

How to search or access Chancery-related records

1. Identify whether the case is actually Chancery. Corporate, equity, trust and business disputes may belong there, but not all civil cases do.
2. Use official Chancery resources. Start with courts.delaware.gov/chancery.
3. Check File & ServeXpress if applicable. Chancery filing and service uses File & ServeXpress.
4. Contact the Register in Chancery for filing questions. Self-represented users should follow official Chancery guidance.
5. Request documents through the proper access path. Some docket and document access may involve system access or fees.

Justice of the Peace and Court of Common Pleas Records

The Delaware Justice of the Peace Court and Court of Common Pleas handle many cases that users search online. Justice of the Peace Court may include landlord-tenant matters, debt actions, small claims-style disputes, civil filings and certain criminal or traffic-related proceedings depending on jurisdiction. Court of Common Pleas handles civil and criminal matters within its jurisdiction.

For public civil case information, CourtConnect is the official first step. For Justice of the Peace eFiling, Delaware eFlex is used. The Delaware eFiling page explains that eFlex permits users to file directly with the Justice of the Peace Court and that eFiling is required in certain Justice of the Peace Court cases. The same eFiling page says File & Serve Delaware is used by the Court of Common Pleas for eFiling and eService.

How to use JP and Court of Common Pleas tools correctly

• Use CourtConnect for public civil docket search.
• Use eFlex for Justice of the Peace Court eFiling where required or allowed.
• Use File & Serve Delaware for Court of Common Pleas eFiling and eService.
• Use the court that holds the file for copies or certified records.
• Do not use eFiling systems as if they are public record search tools.

Probate, Register of Wills and Estate Records

Delaware estate and probate records are often connected to the Register of Wills in the county where the estate is being administered. The New Castle County Register of Wills page explains that the office assists families and attorneys in obtaining documents to transfer assets of a deceased person and that it is the county probate office and a branch of the Delaware Chancery Court.

Kent County explains that its Register of Wills records wills after death and other documents related to estate matters, oversees appointment of personal representatives and maintains estate matters as permanent records. Sussex County also has a Register of Wills office responsible for administration of estates being probated in Sussex County. For older estate records, the Delaware Public Archives estate records collection can be useful.

How to search Delaware probate and estate records

1. Identify the county. Delaware probate matters are tied to New Castle, Kent or Sussex County.
2. Use the county Register of Wills. Start with the official county office that holds the estate file.
3. Search older estate material through archives when needed. Delaware Public Archives provides estate record resources for historical research.
4. Ask about copies and certification. Estate documents may require certified copies for banking, title or legal use.
5. Respect privacy limits. Some documents may not be available online as images even if the estate index is searchable.

Copies, Certified Records and Courthouse Public Terminals

Searching Delaware court records online is not the same as obtaining an official copy. If a record is needed for employment, licensing, immigration, school, real estate, custody, divorce proof, probate, business litigation, appeal or government filing, ask whether a certified copy is required. A screen print or docket result may not be enough.

For Family Court records, use the official records access and online request pages. For civil court documents, contact the court that holds the file or use authorized public access terminals when appropriate. For federal District of Delaware records, the federal court explains that public terminals provide access to PACER dockets and PDF documents, and that copies may be self-printed at the court’s listed rate. PACER personal accounts also provide access to electronic federal dockets and documents.

How to request Delaware court record copies

1. Find the case number first. Search CourtConnect, court notices, eFiling receipts or court paperwork.
2. Identify the court that holds the file. Superior Court, Family Court, Chancery, Common Pleas, JP Court and federal court are different.
3. Use the correct request process. Family Court has a records request form; federal records use PACER or federal court terminals.
4. Ask whether certification is needed. Certified copies have official value that ordinary copies do not.
5. Confirm fees before ordering. Copy, certification, terminal printing, PACER and filing-system charges may vary.

Sealed, Confidential and Restricted Delaware Court Records

Delaware court records are generally available according to the Judiciary’s public access policies, but not every record is public or online. Some records may be sealed, confidential, juvenile-related, adoption-related, Family Court restricted, expunged, protected by privacy rules, limited by court order or available only to parties and authorized users.

Records involving juveniles, adoption, protection matters, child welfare, mental health, certain family details, victim information, protected addresses, sealed criminal cases, expungements and sensitive financial or identifying information may have restricted access. If a record does not appear online, that does not automatically mean no case exists.

What to do if a Delaware record is not showing online

• Confirm that the case belongs to the State of Delaware, not a Delaware County in another state.
• Check whether the case is civil, family, Chancery, probate, criminal, JP, Common Pleas or federal.
• Search by case number first, then try name or business variations.
• Use Family Court record access procedures for family matters.
• Contact the court if documents are not visible in the online system.
• Use SBI for certified Delaware criminal history.
• Use PACER if the case is federal.

eFiling and Delaware Online Court Services

Delaware eFiling depends on the court. Delaware eFlex is used in the Justice of the Peace Court and permits filing into new or previously filed civil cases. File & ServeXpress is used in the Supreme Court, Court of Chancery and Superior Court. File & Serve Delaware is used by the Court of Common Pleas. The official eFiling page also states that Family Court does not offer eFiling at this time.

eFiling is different from record search. CourtConnect helps users search public civil case information. eFlex, File & Serve Delaware and File & ServeXpress help users file and serve documents in eligible courts. A filing system may also involve training, registration, filing fees, service fees, technology fees or court-specific requirements.

Which Delaware online service should you use?

Federal Court Records in Delaware: When to Use PACER

State of Delaware court search tools do not show federal court records. If the document says United States District Court, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, federal criminal case, federal civil rights action, federal agency matter, CM/ECF or PACER, use federal systems.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware provides federal court resources and copy information. PACER is the official public access system for federal appellate, district and bankruptcy court records. Federal public access may require an account, and PACER usage may involve fees depending on the document or report accessed.

How to search federal Delaware court records

1. Open PACER. Use the official pacer.uscourts.gov website.
2. Select the correct federal court. For Delaware federal trial cases, use the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware where applicable.
3. Search by federal case number if possible. Federal case number search is more accurate than name search.
4. Check bankruptcy separately if needed. Bankruptcy records are federal but may be searched through bankruptcy court access in PACER.
5. Review fees and copy rules. PACER and courthouse terminal copying rules are separate from Delaware state court records.

Delaware Courthouse Map and Contact Details

The map below uses the verified location of the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center in Wilmington. Delaware Courts list the Family Court New Castle County location at 500 N. King Street inside the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center, and the justice center contact page lists the courthouse main number as 302-255-0000. Several court offices are located in the same justice center, but users should confirm the exact court, records room, counter or filing system before visiting.

Official Resources for Delaware Court Records

Use official resources first. These links help you avoid private record ads, wrong-state Delaware County portals, background-check subscriptions and outdated docket pages. If a page asks for payment, confirm that it belongs to the Delaware Judiciary, a court-approved eFiling provider, PACER or an official county probate office before paying.

Delaware Court Records FAQ

Editorial Note and Legal Disclaimer

This guide is for public information and practical court-record search help only. It is not legal advice and does not replace Delaware Judiciary instructions, court rules, official court notices, clerk guidance, attorney advice or judge orders. Court access, public record policies, eFiling systems, copy fees, Family Court record access, probate procedures, criminal history checks and federal record access may change. Always verify important details directly through official Delaware Courts, Register of Wills, Delaware State Police, federal court or PACER resources before filing, paying, appearing or relying on a record.

Final Summary

For delaware court records, the safest official starting point is the Delaware Courts Civil Case Search page and CourtConnect for covered civil case information. Use Family Court records access pages for family cases, Court of Chancery resources for Chancery matters, Register of Wills offices for probate estates and PACER for federal records.

Search by case number first when possible. Use name and business searches carefully, especially when checking judgments or similar names. If you need certified copies, full documents, Family Court records, older records or criminal-history certification, use the official court, Register of Wills or State Police SBI process rather than a private records site.