US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 10003

New Castle County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for New Castle County, Delaware. Serving a population of 578.592 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Wilmington • Land Area: 426,337 sq mi • State: Delaware (DE)
Call: (302) 395-7700 Get Courthouse Directions Verified Official Portal ↗
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Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

87 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720

Seat of government for New Castle County in Wilmington, DE.

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Direct Clerk Office Line

(302) 395-7700

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 10003 • Coordinates: 39.5759° N, -75.6441° W
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Filing Checklist

Before You Visit New Castle County

  • ✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
  • ✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
  • ✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
  • ✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode
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Land Records & Real Property

New Castle County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by 9 Del. C. § 9605
First Page Base Fee
$35.00
Includes statutory county automation index surcharge
Each Additional Page
$9.00
Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page
Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps
4.0% total realty transfer tax (2.5% state / 1.5% local standard split)
Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in Delaware:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.
Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.
Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.
Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.
Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in New Castle County

License Fee $70.00 (Residents) / $120.00 (Non-residents)
Waiting Period 24 Hours
  • ✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 30 days of issuance.
  • ✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the New Castle County courthouse.
  • ✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.
State Policy: Issued by the Clerk of the Peace in New Castle, Kent, or Sussex County. 24h waiting period.
Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $25.00
Death Cert $25.00
Marriage Cert $25.00
  • • Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
  • • Filing Agency: Processed through Delaware Health and Social Services Office of Vital Statistics and the local New Castle County clerk counter.
Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.
Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in New Castle County

Filing Fee: $25.00
1. Filing Authority

In New Castle County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the Prothonotary Office.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in Delaware.

3. State Rules & Notice

Trade names are registered with the Prothonotary in each county where the business operates.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in New Castle County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the New Castle County Prothonotary Office. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in Delaware.

Name Search Included
Articles of Organization
Delaware Compliant
Register LLC / DBA Online Official partner filing service • Expedited processing
State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official Delaware Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with Delaware county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download
Get Delaware Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance
Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in Delaware

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring Delaware recording offices:

Kent County Seat: Dover
~33.9 mi →
Sussex County Seat: Georgetown
~64.5 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: New Castle County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the New Castle County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official New Castle County office is located at 87 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (302) 395-7700.
How much does it cost to record a deed in New Castle County?
Under Delaware statute (9 Del. C. § 9605), recording a real property deed or mortgage in New Castle County costs $35.00 for the first page, plus $9.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: 4.0% total realty transfer tax (2.5% state / 1.5% local standard split).
How do I obtain a marriage license in New Castle County, DE?
Both applicants must appear in person before the New Castle County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $70.00 (Residents) / $120.00 (Non-residents). Delaware requires a waiting period of 24 hours, and the license is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.
How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in New Castle County?
In New Castle County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the Prothonotary Office with a standard statutory filing fee of $25.00. Trade names are registered with the Prothonotary in each county where the business operates.
How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in New Castle County?
Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $25.00 and death certificates starting at $25.00) can be requested through the Delaware Health and Social Services Office of Vital Statistics or directly at the New Castle County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.