Property, Deeds & Records Requests (FOIA)
Property Records Search
Use our free Property Records Search tools to easily access detailed property records. Using any computer, follow the link to the Kent County Property Records search tools. Simply enter a name in the search box and access electronic records. See prior ownership and history, sales information, permitting, tax data, and much more. Researching, viewing and printing are free.
Kent County Property Records Search Tool
Recorder of Deeds Functions
Welcome to the Recorder of Deeds residents' page where you can handle the actions citizens require of our office most often--searching deeds records, learning how to research the history of your home, registering for our free Property Fraud Alert program, trying to "change" your deed, recording a document, providing feedback to the Recorder, herself, or contacting our office.
For more in-depth knowledge of our office, please visit our page under My Government by clicking here.
Use our free Deeds Records Search tools to access deeds records. This is a different database than the Property Records Search tool. Using any computer, follow the link to the Deeds Records Search tools. Enter a name in the search box to access electronic deed records from the 1700's to the present day. Researching and viewing are free. For security purposes, the records are watermarked. To remove the watermark, you must establish an account to download or print the deed for $2.00 per page or $75 for an unlimited monthly subscription using the PayPal account, or credit or debit card. See our factsheet for how to use the Deeds Records Search Tool Explore Property Records from Anywhere -- Free!(PDF, 939KB)
Kent County Deeds Records Search Tool
See our factsheet Who, Why, Where & How of Property History Research(PDF, 712KB) and its accompanying Workbook(PDF, 1MB). This is for hobbyists only. We recommend hiring a real estate attorney and professional title searcher if you are planning to convey property.
We offer our citizens free property transaction alerts so you will know within a few days every time we record a document in your name. This is total transparency in government. Not only will you be kept up to date with what we do in our office, but should you see a transaction you do not recognize--and it turns out to be fraud--you will learn of it in less than a week. Click to read why you should register: Why Register for Property Transaction Alerts?(PDF, 574KB)
Click to Register
Learn More
The most frequently asked question our office answers is "How do I change my deed?" when citizens want to change their deed after a life event--name change, marriage, divorce, death, etc. The simple answer is: deeds are never changed. You must make a new deed, then record it along with the original to form what is called a "chain of title" that stretches back to before Delaware was a state. Click to find out more: Why Can't I Change my Deed?(PDF, 2MB)
Do you want to record a deed, satisfy a mortgage, or place or clear a lien? This function is governed by law and is quite complex. There are specific formats, verbiage required by law, and fees associated with this activity. We recommend you consult an attorney to assist you. Please visit the Recorder of Deeds page to find out more about these tasks.
Visit the Recorder of Deeds
There is an actual person who is elected by the people of Kent County who serves as THE Recorder of Deeds.
Her name is Honorable Eugenia Thornton and she is available to you 24/7 via email eugenia.thornton@kentcountyde.gov. Or say "hi" when you visit the office. Recorder Thornton is very interested in hearing your feedback about this website and the way her office conducts business. We have a traveling trophy for excellent work among the staff, so please provide input about great service, in addition to reporting problems. We love to hear what we are doing wrong so we can do better, and we love hearing what we are doing right so we can do more of it. We work for you!
Walk in customer service is available at 555 Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901
Call us: 302-744-2314 / Fax: 302-736-2035
Email: Recorder@kentcountyde.gov
Office Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm Mon-Fri.
Requesting FOIA Information?
If you need information, please contact the Kent County Public Information Officer, Kelly Pitts, at 302-744-2304. You may also print and submit a FOIA request form to Kent County. FOIA Request Forms are available below.
Submit a FOIA Request