New Castle County Police Records
New Castle County police records are held by the New Castle County Police Department, the Sheriff's Office, and the Delaware State Police troops that cover the county. You can search New Castle County police records through each agency's records unit, through the state FOIA portal, or through the Delaware Courts system. Most incident reports, crash reports, and arrest logs are open under 29 Del. C. Chapter 100. Staff reply within 15 business days. This page walks you through where to file a request and what to expect.
New Castle County Overview
New Castle County Police Department Records
The New Castle County Police Department keeps all police records for incidents in the unincorporated parts of the county. The NCCPD Records Unit handles requests for incident reports, crash reports, and other police files. The department sits at 3601 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE 19720. The phone line for records is (302) 395-8171. The public counter is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
The NCCPD works with city police in Wilmington, Newark, and Middletown on major crimes. Arrest files held by the NCCPD list the name of the person, the date and place of arrest, the charge, and the arresting agency. Under Delaware's record retention rule, NCCPD investigation files are kept for 100 years. That is longer than the 10-year hold that applies to most other local departments. The Delaware Public Archives takes the files after the retention date runs out.
The NCCPD page lists the records unit, the phone line, and the public counter hours. It also lays out fees, forms, and what the unit can and cannot release under Delaware FOIA.
The department also provides fingerprint services for some purposes. FOIA requests to the NCCPD get the same 15 business day reply window set by state law. Fees follow the state schedule. The first 20 pages are free. Each page after that is ten cents.
New Castle County Records Portal
New Castle County runs a public records portal that follows 29 Del. C. § 10001 to § 10007. Under § 10003, all public records are open to inspection and copying during regular hours. Delaware residency is needed to file a FOIA request, and the county may ask for ID.
You can file a request a few ways:
- Use the online FOIA form on the county site
- Mail a written request with full contact info
- Visit the county office in person
- Send email to the records custodian for the department you need
The county FOIA form asks for your name, address, email, phone, and the records you want. Be as specific as you can. List dates, names, case numbers, or subject matter. The county must reply in 15 business days. The reply will grant access, deny and cite a statute, or say more time is needed. The state code at 29 Del. C. Chapter 100 sets the same rules for every public body in New Castle County.
The code site has the full FOIA statute, the 19 exempt file types, and the fee schedule. It is the law that the NCCPD, the Sheriff, and every county office must follow when you ask for New Castle County police records.
The New Castle County Sheriff's Office sits at 87 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720, phone (302) 395-8450. The Sheriff handles civil process, court security, and some law enforcement tasks in the unincorporated parts of the county. The office does not keep criminal case files. Those stay with the NCCPD or the Delaware State Police.
New Castle County Criminal Records
Criminal records for New Castle County come from a few sources. The Delaware Court Connect portal holds case data from Superior Court, the Court of Common Pleas, and the Justice of the Peace Court. You can search by name or case number.
The Superior Court of Delaware sits at the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center, 500 N. King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, phone (302) 255-0800. The public counter runs Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. For a certified criminal history, the request goes to the State Bureau of Identification. The SBI office for New Castle County is at DSP Troop 2 on Route 40, west of Fox Run Shopping Center, Bear, DE 19701. An appointment is required. Call (302) 739-2528 to book.
The fee for a state-only background check is $52.50. A state and federal check is $69.00. Bring a photo ID. The SBI takes cash, credit and debit cards, bank checks, money orders, or company checks. Personal checks are not accepted. The Delaware Courts record access page at courts.delaware.gov/help/recordaccess lays out what is open and what is sealed.
The record access page shows which criminal files are public, which are sealed, and what fees apply. For an active warrant or a sex offender check in New Castle County, the DSP runs the statewide registry.
Note: A certified copy of a Delaware criminal history must come from the SBI. The Courts do not issue the official statewide record.
New Castle County Arrest Records
Arrest records for New Castle County flow from the arresting agency. That may be the NCCPD, a city police department, or the Delaware State Police. For state-level arrests, contact the Delaware State Police Headquarters at 1441 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901, phone (302) 739-5901. The Delaware Criminal Justice Information System, known as DELJIS, runs the wanted persons database. Public access is limited.
When you ask for an arrest record, you need to give the full name of the person, the date of birth or an estimate of age, the date of arrest or a guess, the case number if you have it, and the arresting agency if known. Agencies must reply within 15 business days under § 10003.
Free tools can help you narrow down an arrest before you file a formal FOIA. The DSP arrest archive, public access terminals at court, the Delaware Court Connect portal, and the Sheriff's Office website each hold some data. Fees for a certified record vary by agency. Most runs $25 to $45 based on the type of search.
More New Castle County Resources
The New Castle County Sheriff's Office page at nccde.org/225/Sheriffs-Office lists civil process rules, court security notes, and the public contact for the office.
For a statewide view of the FOIA law that governs these records, see 29 Del. C. Chapter 100. The law sets the 15 business day reply window and the copy fee. It also lists the 19 exempt file types.
To file a petition after a denial, email the Attorney General at opengovernment@delaware.gov or mail the office at 820 N. French St, 6th Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801. You can read past AG opinions on Delaware police records before you file. Opinion 25-IB29 covered body cam footage. Opinion 24-IB01 covered officer pay and names.
For court records, use the Delaware Courts site. It links to CourtConnect, the forms page, and each local clerk. For a statewide FOIA view, the delaware.gov FOIA portal lists every agency and a PDF form.
Cities in New Castle County
New Castle County is home to Wilmington, Newark, Middletown, Delaware City, and the City of New Castle. Each city runs its own police department and records unit. Pick a city below to find local contact info and the FOIA process for that area.
Nearby Delaware Counties
The other two Delaware counties sit to the south of New Castle. Kent is in the middle of the state. Sussex is at the southern end along the coast.