New Castle County Superior Court Case Search

New Castle County's superior court records are generated from the many general and specialized court proceedings involving residents. The Superior Court's Prothonotary Office and other designated record custodians maintain the court records derived from legal processes. Such documentation constitutes valuable resources to those carrying out investigations for litigation, tracing the status of cases, personal affairs, or criminal background checks for employment or tenancy.

What Kinds of Cases Are Heard in the New Castle Superior Court?

In New Castle County, the Superior Court has original and general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases except equity cases. It does not handle probate, equity, or domestic relations cases.

The New Castle Superior Court controls felony criminal cases and most drug-related crimes. The amount the Court can award as damages in a civil case is unlimited. The Court also acts as an intermediate appellate court, hearing appeals on the record from the Court of Common Pleas, the Family Court (in criminal cases), and some administrative agencies.

In New Castle County, the Superior Court oversees problem-solving courts that seek to address underlying issues contributing to criminal behavior. These courts include the Drug, Mental Health, Veterans Treatment, and Reentry Courts.

New Castle County Superior Court

The New Castle Superior Court has county-wide original jurisdiction over criminal and civil legal matters. However, the court's legal authority does not extend to equity cases and domestic relations matters.

The court oversees all felonies and drug offenses, including marijuana possession, but does not handle most felonies and drug offenses involving minors.

The Superior Court also functions as an in-between appellate court that hears appeals on the record from the Court of Common Pleas, Family Court (adult criminal), and several administrative agencies.

The varied functions of the New Castle Superior Court suggest that it is indispensable to local justice administration. It offers residents an avenue for seeking redress in major civil and criminal legal cases.

Interested parties may contact the New Castle Superior Court at the following address:

New Castle County Superior Court
Leonard L. Williams Justice Center
500 N. King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: (302) 255-0800
Fax: (302) 255-2264

New Castle County Case Lookup

Individuals seeking a county-wide case lookup in New Castle County may obtain records from several courts, including the Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas, and Justice of the Peace Court. Requesters may access such information online or via walk-in or mail-in services.

Online Searches

The Delaware Courts Judicial Branch’s CourtConnect portal offers users free online access to New Castle's Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas, and Justice of the Peace Court records.

Available online court records include most civil and criminal cases under the Superior Court's legal authority. The portal also maintains records of misdemeanor and initial hearings in felony cases, general civil cases with damages under $50,000, counterclaims, cross-claims, and third-party claims under the Courts of Common Pleas.

Online requesters may also access the Justice of the Peace Courts records involving fines or seizures derived from a statute, bylaw, or ordinance for amounts less than $15,000, exclusive of interest.

Nonetheless, CourtConnect restricts access to driver's license information and witness or victim records. Other restricted information includes mental commitment data and medical and psychological records.

CourtConnect allows users to search using information such as a person's name, business name, or case type. The portal also searches for judgments against a person or business and displays case information or activities.

Walk-in Requests

Requesters may visit the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center or any of the other relevant court locations between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, to look up civil and criminal case information that is not inaccessible to the public via court order or state law.

The respective custodians of court records expect information seekers searching for the county’s court records to supply specific details such as the case number, names of the parties involved, or type of case. A valid government-issued photo ID is also required for identification purposes.

Requesters may use public access terminals in the Judgment's Office (on the courthouse's first floor) to search for court records. However, access to these terminals is by appointment only. Information searchers may schedule appointments by contacting the court via email or Phone: ((302) 255-0740).

Mail-in Requests

To conduct a mail-in request for New Castle County court documents, applicants must send a completed application form to the Prothonotary’s Office or the Family Court Clerk’s Office.

The application must include the requester's first and last name, the case type (criminal, civil, or family), and the requester's name, address, and phone number.

Those seeking court records via mail-in service should note that making copies of such records attracts a maximum fee of $2.00 per page, while faxed copies cost up to $8.00 per page. A certified copy of any document costs $15.00 for up to three pages, with extra charges applied for any additional pages.

Available payment methods include checks and money orders payable to 'The State of Delaware'.

The request packets, including a self-addressed stamped envelope and the necessary payment for copies, must be mailed to:

Prothonotary’s Office (Superior Court)
New Castle County Courthouse
500 N. King Street
Wilmington, DE 19801

Family Court Clerk’s Office
900 N. King Street
Wilmington, DE 19801

New Castle Superior Court Case Search by Name

Online

• Navigate to the Person/Case Type Search page on CourtConnect.
• Enter the required party's last name or company name and click "Search". Users may supply additional information, such as first and middle names, to narrow the results.
• The portal also offers filters like date ranges for case filing, while users uncertain about a last or first name may enable partial and phonetic searches.

In-Person Search

Record searchers may visit the Superior Court Prothonotary's Office between 8:300 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, to carry out a name-based search in person. They may also use public access terminals on the courthouse's first floor to search for court records by name.

Mail Requests

Individuals requesting a name-based search of New Castle County Superior Court records must provide a party's name (preferably a complete name), a case number, and other relevant information to facilitate the search process.

Request packets containing appropriate fees, copies of requesters' government-issued photo ID, and self-stamped envelopes must be mailed to the Prothonotary's Office (Superior Court).

New Castle Superior Court Docket Search

A court docket is a document that summarizes all actions taken during a court proceeding. It details pending hearings, motions filed, decisions rendered, and other significant events.

Interested parties may use court dockets to track court dates and deadlines, monitor developments in a case (such as filed motions and verdicts), gain insight into the judicial process, and ensure accountability.

Individuals wishing to conduct a New Castle Superior Court docket search may do so via CourtConnect. The portal allows users to search for civil case dockets using a person's name, business name, or case type, receiving case information and activities.

Lookup New Castle County Superior Court Online

Delaware's CourtConnect portal provides information searchers remote access to New Castle County Superior Court documents. Alternatively, third-party databases such as Delawarecourtrecords.us may give access to specific court records. These online platforms have user-friendly interfaces that make it easy to find particular case details. Their main benefits include accessibility from anywhere with an internet connection, saving time and effort for people who do not visit the courthouse in person. However, government agencies do not oversee the operation of third-party sites. Therefore, the integrity and availability of records cannot be guaranteed.

Supreme Court vs. Superior Court

Superior Court: At the county level, this is a first-instance trial court that hears civil and criminal cases of substantial magnitude or financial limits. The Superior Court has general jurisdiction and exclusive authority over felonies and drug offenses (except for certain juvenile cases).

Supreme Court: The Supreme Court of Delaware is the highest appellate court in the state. Its primary role is to review appeals from lower courts, such as the Superior Court and Family Court, to ensure the correct application of the law.

The US Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority at the federal level. It reviews federal law cases, constitutional issues, and state disputes. Unlike state supreme courts, the US Supreme Court’s rulings establish definitive precedents for the whole country.