Find Wilmington Property Records

Where Wilmington Property Records Are Kept

All property records for Wilmington are held by the New Castle County Recorder of Deeds. The office is located at the Louis L. Redding City/County Building, 800 N. French Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. This is the same building that houses several other county offices, so parking and access are shared. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. If you are recording a document, note that recording hours end at 3:30 PM, giving staff time to process same-day filings before close.

The Recorder's office records a wide range of documents tied to real property in Wilmington. That includes deeds of all types, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, mortgage assignments and releases, powers of attorney, subdivision plats and surveys, financing statements under the UCC, and liens. Because Wilmington is the county seat of New Castle County, its records go back further than most jurisdictions in the state. Some recorded documents date to the early 1800s, which can be valuable for title research or historical property work.

Searching Wilmington Property Records Online

The fastest way to search Wilmington property records is through the New Castle County online land records portal. This system is free to search. You can look up records by grantor or grantee name, document type, date range, book and page number, or parcel ID. The index goes back to the early 1800s, though older documents may not be available as images.

If you need copies of documents found through the index, there is a fee. Individual pages cost $2.00 each. If you need a lot of documents or do regular research, a monthly subscription at $75 gives you unlimited access to document images. That can make sense for title researchers, attorneys, or anyone who works with Wilmington property records regularly. Certified copies, which are sometimes needed for legal or financial purposes, must be obtained directly from the Recorder's office and carry their own fee. The online system does not produce certified copies.

Delaware Law and Property Records

Delaware law sets the rules for how property records must be kept, what documents are recorded, and who can access them. Delaware Code Title 9, Chapter 96 covers the duties of county recorders, including how documents must be indexed and maintained. Title 25, Chapter 1 governs deed requirements in the state, spelling out what makes a deed valid and how it must be executed. These laws apply to every property transaction recorded in Wilmington.

In 2025, Delaware added a new option for property owners. Title 25, Chapter 2 created the Transfer on Death Deed, which allows an owner to name a beneficiary who will receive the property automatically upon death, without going through probate. This is a relatively new tool in Delaware. Property owners in Wilmington who want to use it must record the deed with the New Castle County Recorder of Deeds during their lifetime. The deed can also be revoked at any time before death.

The realty transfer tax is governed by Title 30, Chapter 54. The standard rate is 3% of the sale price, split equally between buyer and seller. Wilmington receives 16.5550% of the distributed share of that tax, the largest municipal allocation in the state. Delaware's Fair Housing law under Title 6, Chapter 46 also applies to property transactions in Wilmington, prohibiting discrimination based on protected characteristics in the sale or rental of property.

The screenshot below shows the Delaware Code Title 9 Chapter 96 page, which outlines the rules governing county recorders and property record maintenance across Delaware.

Reviewing the applicable code sections can help you understand what documents must be recorded, how long they remain on file, and what rights you have as a property owner or researcher in Wilmington.

City Departments That Affect Property

Beyond the Recorder of Deeds, several Wilmington city departments maintain records that affect property within city limits. The Department of Real Estate and Housing manages city-owned properties and runs housing programs. It also oversees the Vacant Property Registration program, which requires owners of vacant buildings to register with the city and keep their properties up to minimum standards. If you are buying a property and want to know if it is registered as vacant or has any city-owned history, this department is worth contacting.

The Department of Land Use and Planning handles zoning, subdivision review, and land development approvals. It keeps records of zoning decisions, variances, and special use permits. If you need to know how a Wilmington property is zoned, or want to check whether any zoning variances have been granted, this department is your resource. You can also request a zoning verification letter through Land Use and Planning, which is often needed for financing or sale transactions.

The Department of Licenses and Inspections keeps records of building permits, certificates of occupancy, and code violations. These records can reveal whether work was done with proper permits and whether a property has open violations. Before buying or renovating in Wilmington, it is worth checking with this department to see the permit history and any outstanding code issues tied to the property.

Property Assessment in Wilmington

Property tax assessment for Wilmington properties is handled by the New Castle County Division of Assessment, not the city itself. The division assigns assessed values to all real property in the county, including everything within Wilmington's city limits. These assessed values are used to calculate both county and municipal property taxes.

You can search assessment records online through the New Castle County website. The search is free and shows the current assessed value, owner of record, and parcel information. Property owners who believe their assessment is too high can file an appeal. The appeal process has deadlines and specific procedures, so it is best to check the Division of Assessment's current guidelines if you plan to challenge your value.

The Delaware Public Archives also holds historical property records and older documents that predate modern recording systems, providing a deeper research trail for Wilmington properties.

For very old properties or historical title work, the Delaware Public Archives in Dover can be a useful supplement to the Recorder of Deeds records, particularly for documents that were created before modern recording systems were in place.

Property Transfers and Transfer Tax in Wilmington

When a property in Wilmington changes hands, the transfer is recorded with the New Castle County Recorder of Deeds. At the time of recording, the realty transfer tax is collected. The standard rate is 3% of the consideration paid, split equally between grantor and grantee. Certain transfers are exempt or qualify for reduced rates, such as transfers between spouses, transfers to a trust, or certain estate transfers.

Wilmington receives a 16.5550% share of the distributed realty transfer tax proceeds, the largest share given to any municipality in Delaware. This allocation is required by state law under Title 30, Chapter 54. Additionally, the New Castle County Recorder of Deeds is required by law to remit one-half of all fees payable to the Recorder's office to the City of Wilmington on a monthly basis. This makes Wilmington's property transfer activity an important source of city revenue.

Details about the property transfer settlement process for Wilmington can be found through the city's Real Estate and Housing Department. The city's share of the transfer tax is collected at the county level and then distributed to the city, so buyers and sellers do not pay the city directly at closing.

The recorded deed is the primary document that proves ownership after a sale. It is filed with the Recorder of Deeds and becomes part of the permanent public record for that property. Anyone can search and view that deed without permission from the buyer, seller, or any other party.

Superior Court and Property Disputes

Property disputes in Wilmington that end up in litigation are typically handled by the Delaware Superior Court, New Castle County division. The court is located at 500 North King Street, Wilmington, and can be reached at (302) 255-0800. Cases involving title disputes, partition actions, and certain foreclosure proceedings may come before this court.

Court records from property cases are separate from the Recorder of Deeds records, though judgments and liens that result from court actions are often recorded with the Recorder. If a court issues a judgment lien against a property owner in Wilmington, that lien can be recorded and will appear in a title search. Checking both the Recorder's index and the Superior Court records may be necessary for a complete picture of a property's legal status.

How to Get Copies of Wilmington Property Records

There are several ways to get copies of property records for Wilmington. The online portal at uslandrecords.com lets you search and download document images for $2.00 per page. This is the fastest option for most people. If you need a certified copy, you must request it directly from the Recorder of Deeds office at 800 N. French Street during office hours.

You can also visit the office in person to search records at public terminals. Staff can help you locate documents if you are not sure where to start. Mail requests are also accepted, though turnaround times vary and you should contact the office in advance to confirm current procedures and fees.

The City of Wilmington's website provides access to city services including online bill payment for property taxes, water and sewer, and permit fees. While this is not a property records search tool, it can help you manage city-related obligations tied to a Wilmington property. For assessment data and parcel information, the New Castle County website remains the primary online resource.

• Online portal: search free, images $2.00/page or $75/month
• In-person: public terminals at 800 N. French Street, Mon-Fri 8 AM-4:30 PM
• Certified copies: in-person or by mail from the Recorder's office
• Assessment records: free online through New Castle County
• Permit and code records: through Licenses and Inspections

County That Handles Wilmington Records

All property records for Wilmington are filed and maintained by New Castle County. The county's Recorder of Deeds is your primary resource for deeds, mortgages, liens, and related documents.

Nearby Cities

These nearby cities also have property records pages. Each links to its own records information and local resources.