How to Search Delaware Criminal Records (Start Here)

Delaware criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository (maintained by the state police or equivalent agency) and individual county court systems. These are separate databases that may show different information.

What this page covers: Delaware state-level criminal history searches, county court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.

Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), go to the Prothonotary in the county where the case was filed. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.

Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a county court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. County courts have the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.

Statewide criminal-history agency
A Criminal History Background Check is obtained through fingerprints
Public name-based search
Person/Case Type Search
Fingerprint-based screening
A Criminal History Background Check is obtained through fingerprints
Sex offender registry
Offender Search - Sex Offender Registry - State Bureau of Identification - Delaware State Police
Open records statute
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) - Guides to Services - State of Delaware
Number of counties
3 counties
Population
1,051,917
Households
411,859
Median Income
$81,012
Median Home Value
$299,800
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Delaware repository URL, fee, and statute verified against the official Delaware State Police (DSP) - State Bureau of Identification publisher on review date. 6 primary .gov sources cited below.

Delaware Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)

DSP only issues fingerprint-based Certified Delaware Criminal History; no name-based public option.
$52.50
Public access fee
Per state-only check
Fingerprint-based only
Primary method
How to submit
Delaware State Police (D
Issuing agency
Statewide repository
11 Del. C. §8513
Governing statute
State law citation
June 04, 2026
Last reviewed
By SearchSystems
What's in a state criminal check (typical %)
In-state arrests
100%
In-state convictions
100%
Out-of-state arrests
10%
Federal cases
5%
Sealed/expunged
0%
Juvenile records
15%
Unit: % included in a typical state-only check.

What Changed in 2026 — Delaware Criminal Records

2026
Delaware state-only check active
The Delaware State Police (DSP) - State Bureau of Identification continues to process state criminal history checks via dsp.delaware.gov.
2026
Delaware background check fee structure
Current fee for a Delaware state-only check: $52.50. Method: Fingerprint-based only.
2026
Delaware statutory framework
Delaware criminal history records are governed by 11 Del. C. §8513 and disseminated through Delaware State Police (DSP) - State Bureau of Identification.
2026
FBI Identity History Summary (federal complement)
For records that may exist outside Delaware, the FBI Identity History Summary at fbi.gov complements the state-only result.

The 4-Step Delaware Criminal Records Pathway

1
Step 1 — Confirm what you need
For most non-employment uses, a Delaware state-only check from the Delaware State Police (DSP) - State Bureau of Identification is sufficient.
2
Step 2 — Choose your method
Fingerprint-based only. Current fee: $52.50.
3
Step 3 — Submit your request
Use the official portal at dsp.delaware.gov — never a third-party data broker.
4
Step 4 — Add federal coverage if needed
For pre-employment FCRA screening or out-of-state coverage, add an FBI Identity History Summary check ($18) — fingerprint required.

Five Things People Get Wrong About Delaware Criminal Records

❌ Myth: "Delaware background check shows everything."
✓ Truth: False. The Delaware State Police (DSP) - State Bureau of Identification check covers ONLY Delaware arrests/convictions. Out-of-state and federal records are NOT included.
❌ Myth: "Free third-party 'instant' checks are accurate."
✓ Truth: False. Only dsp.delaware.gov (the official Delaware repository) is authoritative. Data brokers often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "Sealed records will show on a check."
✓ Truth: False. Records sealed or expunged under Delaware law are removed from public-facing checks. Law enforcement may still access them.
❌ Myth: "Arrest = conviction on my record."
✓ Truth: False. An arrest is not a conviction. Most Delaware public checks distinguish arrests, dispositions, and convictions; the FCRA bars non-conviction arrests older than 7 years from employer checks.
❌ Myth: "State and FBI checks return the same data."
✓ Truth: False. The Delaware state check shows Delaware-only records. The FBI check is fingerprint-based and shows records reported by all agencies nationwide.

Primary Sources (All .gov / Official)

Related Criminal Records Resources

Related Public Records
National view of this topic: All states: Criminal records
Sample Delaware counties: Kent · New Castle · Sussex

Criminal Records Databases

7 official Delaware criminal records sources.

Court Records Criminal Records Wants & Warrants Vital Records Voter Records Licenses Recorded Documents Property Records

Criminal Records

court of chancery Opinions and Orders - Delaware Courts
Official Free
In case of discrepancies between the print and electronic versions of orders and any later official version of them, the later version controls. Court: All Courts · Court of Chancery · Court of Common Pleas · Family Court · Justice Of The Peace Court · Superior Court · Supreme Court · Revision Date: Past 7 days · Past 30 days · Past 180 days · This year · Custom year · Custom dates · Search: Search · All Cases · Civil · Criminal · Complex Commercial Litigation Division · court of chancery Opinions and Orders 169 Opinions ·
🌐 courts.delaware.gov
Obtaining a Certified Delaware Criminal History - Delaware State Police - State of Delaware
Official Free
A Criminal History Background Check is obtained through fingerprints . You must provide photo Identification, such as a valid driver’s license or State ID (from any state). You do not need a social security card or a birth certificate.
🌐 dsp.delaware.gov
General facts about Death Row - Department of Correction
Official Free
The law also stipulated that persons sentenced to death prior to the enactment of the law be given the choice of choosing their method of execution (either hanging or lethal injection). In April 1994, Governor Thomas R. Carper signed into law legislation (Senate Bill # 57) that mandates executions be carried out between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. The executioner is a volunteer who remains anonymous. Housing: All inmates currently sentenced to the death penalty are housed in maximum security at James T.
🌐 doc.delaware.gov
Department of Correction - State of Delaware
Official Free
Visit an Inmate · Walkaways & Escapees · Offender Healthcare · Host an Offender · News & Media · News & Press Office · Media Relations · Community Relations · Delaware Correctional Reentry Commission · Community Relations · Youth & Citizens Academy Applications ·
🌐 doc.delaware.gov
Offender Search - Sex Offender Registry - State Bureau of Identification - Delaware State Police
Official Free
Any person who uses the information contained herein to threaten, intimidate, or harass the registrant or their family, or who otherwise misuses this information, may be subject to criminal prosecution or civil liability. Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of the terms & conditions. ... To start searching the Delaware Sex Offender Central Registry enter information in the search fields above.
🌐 sexoffender.dsp.delaware.gov
Delaware VINE - VINELink
Official Free
We cannot provide a description for this page right now
🌐 vinelink.vineapps.com
PACER: Login
Official Paid
This site is maintained by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts on behalf of the Federal Judiciary. PACER Service Center (800) 676-6856 pacer@psc.uscourts.gov
🌐 ecf.ded.uscourts.gov

Delaware Counties

All 3 Delaware counties. Click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.

New Castle Sussex Kent

Frequently Asked Questions

Delaware's official statewide criminal-history check is administered by the Delaware State Police (DSP) - State Bureau of Identification. Begin the request at dsp.delaware.gov. Most state-level checks require submitting fingerprints (live-scan or ink) plus a processing fee, and the response covers convictions and certain non-conviction data permitted by Delaware statute.

Most adult criminal-history information in Delaware is considered public record, but access is restricted depending on the requester (self, employer, government agency) and the data type (arrest, conviction, sealed, juvenile). The Delaware State Police (DSP) - State Bureau of Identification explains who can request what at dsp.delaware.gov. County-court records are also public and searchable through the trial-court system.

A state check from the Delaware State Police (DSP) - State Bureau of Identification (dsp.delaware.gov) covers only criminal activity within Delaware. An FBI Identity History Summary (fbi.gov) is the nationwide check covering federal records and contributing states. Employers and licensing boards often require both.

Generally, no — only the record subject (with their own ID and signature) or a specifically authorized requester (such as a credentialed employer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a licensing board, or law enforcement) can pull a third-party criminal history from the Delaware State Police (DSP) - State Bureau of Identification. The Delaware State Police (DSP) - State Bureau of Identification documentation at dsp.delaware.gov lists each authorized requester category.

If you find an error on your Delaware criminal history, the Delaware State Police (DSP) - State Bureau of Identification offers a record-review and challenge process. Begin at dsp.delaware.gov — typical steps include fingerprint verification, a written dispute, and supporting court documents (such as a dismissal or expungement order) for each contested entry.