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Kent County, Delaware

County Court, Probate, Land & Tax Records  •  County Census Records
County Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
County Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  County Church & Bible Records

Kent County was created on 1680 and was formed from Whorekill County. The County was named for the English county of Kent. The County Seat is Dover.

In about 1670 the English began to settle in the valley of the St. Jones River earlier known as Wolf Creek. On June 21, 1680, The Duke of York chartered St. Jones County, which was carved out of New Amstel/New Castle County and Hoarkill/Sussex County. St. Jones County was transferred to William Penn on August 24, 1682, and became part of Penn's newly chartered Delaware Colony. Penn ordered a court town to be laid out, and the courthouse was built in 1697. The town of Dover was finally laid out in 1717, and became the capitol of Delaware in 1777. In 1787 Delaware was first to ratify the U.S. Constitution, and became "the First State." Kent County was a small grain farming region in the 18th Century. See also County History for more historical details.

Counties adjacent to Kent County are New Castle County (north), Salem County, New Jersey (northeast), Cumberland County, New Jersey (east), Cape May County, New Jersey (east), Sussex County (south), Caroline County, Maryland (southwest), Queen Anne's County, Maryland (west), Kent County, Maryland (west).

Kent County Cities and Towns include Dover, Harrington, Milford, Bowers, Camden, Cheswold, Clayton, Farmington, Felton, Frederica, Hartly, Houston, Kenton, Leipsic, Little Creek, Magnolia, Smyrna, Viola, Woodside, Wyoming.

Communities and CDPs include Dover Air Force Base, Highland Acres, Kent Acres, Rising Sun-Lebanon, Riverview, Rodney Village, Woodside East.

Hundreds include Duck Creek, East Dover, Kenton, Little Creek, Milford, Mispillion, North Murderkill, South Murderkill, West Dover.

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Kent County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Delaware Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records and Marriage Records

Records of land conveyance are found in the county recorder of deeds' offices. Estates are in the office of the register of wills where files are maintained from 1925. The prothonotary is the clerk with custody of such records as divorces (to 1975), and civil and criminal court matters.

All Departments below are in the Kent County Courthouse 555 Bay Road, Room 113, Dover, DE 19901, unless otherwise noted below. The Official County website is located at http://www.co.kent.de.us/.

NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time. Most earlier records and many into the twentieth century have been transferred to the Delaware State Archives, although some counties have microfilms of transferred material.

Kent County Clerk of Chancery Court has Court Records from 1681 and is located at the courthouse. Phone Number: (302) 736-2040

Kent County Clerk of the Peace has Marriage Records from 1829-1898 and is located at the courthouse. Phone Number: 302) 744-2346.

Functions include Witnessing County documents; attends all formal Levy Court Meetings; records all acts as custodian for the Minutes of the Levy Court Meetings; advertises and posts County ordinances; countersigns warrants drawn on County funds. Issues marriage licenses and performs marriages (civil ceremonies) in the County

Kent County Register of Wills has Probate Records from 1766 and is located at courthouse. Phone Number: 302-744-2330.

The primary purpose of the Register of Wills office is to record wills and documents pertaining to estate matters in Kent County, Delaware. The office is responsible for overseeing the appointments of personal representatives and for administering estate proceedings. This office is also held accountable for making sure that the estates are in compliance with the Delaware Law. All estate matters are maintained as permanent records.

Kent County Register of Deeds has Land Records from 1680 and is located at the courthouse. Phone Number: 302-744-2314.

Responsible for indexing and maintaining copies of legal documents pertaining to land, mortgages, appointments, etc. Only the most recent deeds are in the office, however. Most have been transferred to the archives.

Early tax or assessment lists for the three Delaware counties are found at the Delaware State Archives and start in 1726 for Kent, 1738 for New Castle, and 1769 for Sussex. See Court, Tax & Probate Records for more information on Tax Records

There are a few online databases for Court, Land and Probate Records which include: Delaware Marriages, 1645-1899, Kent County, Delaware Probate Records, 1680-1800, New Castle County, Delaware Wills, 1682-1800 and Sussex County, Delaware Probate Records, 1680-1800.

Below is a list of online resources for Kent County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Kent County Court Records by clicking the link below:

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Kent County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Research In Vital Records or Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records in Delaware

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

The Delaware Public Archives holds Delaware Birth Certificates older than 72 years (certificates from 1934 and before) and Death and Marriage Certificates older than 40 (certificates from 1966 and before). The Office of Vital Statistics holds Delaware Birth Certificates from 1935 to the present and Death and Marriage Certificates from 1967 to the present. This means that the Delaware Public Archives only have birth certificates up through and including 1934, and marriage and death certificates up through and including 1966. To obtain vital records issued after the dates above please contact: Office of Vital Statistics, Jesse S. Cooper Building, 417 Federal St., Dover, DE  19901

Office of Vital Statistics, Jesse S. Cooper Building, 417 Federal St., Dover, DE  19901, Please allow up to approximately 3 weeks to 6 weeks for processing of all type of certificates when ordered through the mail. They have the following records:

  • Birth, Marriage & Death Certificates: The state of Delaware began issuing certificates for births on December 20, 1908. The Ohio Department of Health holds birth certificates for the state of Ohio from December 20, 1908 to the present. The Vital Statistics Office maintains statewide Death Certificates from 1954 to the present. Individual health departments in the county or city where the death took place keep certificates for their local area (not statewide).
    • Cost: $10.00 per certificate, payment is payable to the "Office of Vital Statistics”. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $10.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
    • Processing Time: 3-6 weeks when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you order ELECTRONICALLY
    • By Mail Applications: Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate, Adoptee's Birth Certificate, Death Certificate
    • For Divorce Records the Prothonotary in the county where divorce was granted up to 1975. For divorces granted after 1975 the parties concerned should contact Family Court in county where divorce was granted.
  • Order In Person:  Same day service is available to walk-in customers. This is the fastest way to obtain a birth certificate. When you arrive, you will complete an application and pay the $10.00 required fee. Walk-in address is
    • New Castle County: Limestone Building - (302) 995-8588 - Office Hours 8:00 AM - 4:15 PM Monday through Friday except Holidays
    • Kent County: Jesse S. Cooper Building - (302) 744-4549 - Office Hours 8:00 AM - 4:15 PM Monday through Friday except Holidays
    • Sussex County: Georgetown State Service Center - (302) 856-5495 - Office Hours 8:00 AM - 4:15 PM Monday through Friday except Holidays
  • Order Online: You can also order Order Electronically Online to obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, death or divorce record with a credit or debit card and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering from VitalChek Express Certificate Service.

Below is a list of online resources for Kent County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Kent County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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Kent County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Census Links for Delaware

Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Kent County, Delaware are 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930.Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Kent County, Delaware are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms.

Below is a list of online resources for Kent County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Kent County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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Kent County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Delaware Genealogical Addresses

Below is a list of online resources for Kent County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Kent County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

  • Submit a website for Kent Co. Genealogical Addresses
  • Lower DelMarVa Genealogy Society, P.O. BOX 3602, Salisbury, DE 21802-3602
  • Downstate Delaware Genealogical Society, 45 S. State Street, Dover, DE 19901
  • Greater Harrington Historical Society, P.O. Box 64, 108 Fleming Str, Harrington, DE 19952; (302) 398-3698
  • Milford Historical Society, P.O. Box 352, Milford, DE 19963; (302) 422-3115
  • Delaware State Archives, 121 Duke of York Street, Dover, DE 19901;(302) 744-5000
  • The Historical Society of Delaware, 505 Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
    The Historical Society of Delaware has an extensive collection of early northern Delaware newspapers, but papers in the adjoining states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey should also be consulted. Southern Delaware newspapers are at the Delaware State Archives
  • Delaware Genealogical Society, 505 Market Street Mall, Wilmington, DE 19801
  • Newspapers & Periodicals - The Newspapers & Periodicals Collection lets you discover a wealth of information about your ancestors from many historical newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals. These types of sources can often supplement public records and provide information that is not recorded anywhere else. Here, you can learn more about your ancestor's possible daily activities by placing them in the context of their time.
  • Delaware Genealogical Society Books at Amazon.com
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Kent County Cemeteries & Graveyards

See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Statewide Cemetery Links for Delaware

There are many churches and cemeteries in Kent County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Kent County Tombstone Transcription Project.

Below is a list of online resources for Kent County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Kent County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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Kent County Church & Bible Records

See Also Research In Church Records or Statewide Church & Bible Links for Delaware

 

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Kent County Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

Below is a list of online resources for Kent County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Kent County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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