Court records of Sussex County, Delaware, are available through several channels. SussexCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, the official portal Delaware Court Connect provides access to the state's court case database, and the civil case search covers the Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas, and Justice of the Peace Court. Records can also be requested directly from court clerks or viewed on public terminals in the courthouse buildings in Georgetown.
Sussex Court System & Jurisdictions
Delaware has a unique judicial structure—there are no county district courts in the federal sense. Instead, several state-level courts operate in Sussex County, each with its own jurisdiction.
Superior Court handles criminal cases involving felonies, civil claims over $75,000, and appeals from lower courts. This is where cases of murder, robbery, and major civil disputes are heard. The courthouse is located at 1 The Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947.
Court of Common Pleas is a mid-level court. It deals with:
- Criminal cases involving misdemeanors
- Civil claims up to $75,000
- Appeals from Justice of the Peace Court
- Traffic offenses
Justice of the Peace Court is the court closest to the people. It handles minor civil cases (up to $25,000), disorderly conduct, initial appearances of defendants, bail settings, and some traffic violations. Several branches of this court operate in Sussex County.
Family Court in Sussex County recently moved to a new address—100 East Market Street, Georgetown, DE 19947. This court handles cases of divorce, child custody, adoption, domestic violence, and juvenile justice. Access to Family Court records is restricted—many cases are confidential.
Probate cases in Delaware are handled by the Court of Chancery, and the registration of wills is conducted by the Register of Wills. There is no separate probate court at the county level.
Sussex Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out which hearings are scheduled for today, tomorrow, or this week, use the Sussex County Court Calendars page on the official Delaware court system website. It publishes:
- Monthly schedules of criminal court sessions and suppression hearings in Superior Court
- Calendars for Court of Common Pleas
- Schedules for Justice of the Peace Court
- Family Court calendars
Calendars are usually updated monthly. For a specific case, the most accurate date of the next hearing can be found through Court Connect by entering the party's name or case number. If you are looking for information on county land cases, there is a separate public register of land use applications, but it concerns County Council and Planning & Zoning Commission decisions, not court cases.
Call the office of the relevant court if the online calendar does not display the required date—sometimes hearings are rescheduled without immediate updates on the site.
How to Get a Copy of a Sussex Court Document
The procedure depends on the specific document you need and from which court.
Online
Through Court Connect, you can view case information and generate a docket report for free. However, downloading the full text of a document or obtaining a certified copy online is usually not possible—you need to contact the clerk's office for that.
In Person or by Mail
- Determine which court heard the case (Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas, Family Court, etc.).
- Contact the Prothonotary (for Superior Court) or the clerk's office of the relevant court.
- Provide the case number or the full name of the party and approximate date.
- Specify whether you need a regular (uncertified) or certified copy. A certified copy has the court's official seal and is accepted by other institutions as evidence.
- Pay the appropriate fee.
For copies of divorce decrees, send a written request with payment to the Records Department Family Court in Sussex County:
Superior Court — Sussex County Prothonotary:
Some records are restricted. Family Court cases involving minors, mental health cases, and sealed criminal cases are not provided without a court order.
Sussex Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court documents are set at the state level according to the Delaware Code. Below are typical fees—the exact amount should be clarified with the clerk's office of the specific court, as they may change.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular copy of a document (per page) | $0.10 – $1.00 |
| Certified copy (certification fee) | $10.00 – $20.00 |
| Copy of divorce decree (Family Court) | $20.00 |
| Search in criminal database (certified criminal history through Delaware State Police) | $75.00 |
| Docket report through Court Connect | Free (online viewing) |
To obtain a certified criminal history, you need to contact the Delaware State Police with a money order for $75.00 and a photo ID.
Payment methods depend on the court. Most offices accept money orders and checks. Some courts accept credit cards for in-person requests—check in advance. Not all branches accept cash.
For documents related to real estate (deeds, mortgages), fees are set by the Recorder of Deeds separately from the court system. These records are available through Landmark Web, which offers several subscription levels.