Search Dover Background Check

A Dover background check uses files from the Dover Police Department, the Kent County Courthouse, and the State Bureau of Identification site in Dover. The city is also home to the SBI walk-in fingerprint facility, which makes Dover a hub for a full state criminal history check. Court cases filed in the capital show up in Kent County records. This page walks you through how to search Dover background check records, where to find the office you need, and what each agency holds.

Dover Police Department Records

The Dover Police Department is the first local office for a Dover background check. The department's Records Division holds all incident reports, arrest reports, and collision reports filed in the city. You can learn more about requests at the department's main page at doverpolice.org. The department also files yearly reports with the Delaware Criminal Justice Council, which are listed on the state's transparency page.

Requests can be made in person or by mail. A victim on an incident report can get a copy at no cost. Parties to a collision, their legal reps, and their insurance companies can get a copy of a crash report. Other people need a subpoena or another legal tool to get a report released. Photo ID is required. The Records Division also does fingerprinting for state licensing and other needs. Call ahead to confirm the hours for the day you plan to visit.

We checked the Dover Police Department disclosure page at the Delaware Criminal Justice Council site. The page lists the department's yearly reports on use of force, stops, and complaints.

The department has a designated FOIA Coordinator who handles public records requests. State law gives agencies 15 business days to respond. Certain records may be held back, such as files on an open investigation. Incident reports are not released under the FOIA, but a victim can still ask for a copy. The department also keeps crime stats and publishes yearly reports online.

Dover SBI Fingerprinting Facility

The Delaware State Police run the State Bureau of Identification walk-in site at 600 Bay Road, Suite 1B, Dover, DE 19901. The phone is (302) 739-2528. The facility is across from the Kent County Levy Court. No appointment is needed, which makes this site the best spot for a fast Dover background check in the state. Walk-in hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM.

The SBI offers a state-only check and a state and federal check. Fees are $72 for the state-only version and $85 for the state and federal version. Payment options include cash, credit or debit card, and money order. Results come back in 7 to 10 business days for most applicants. Photo ID is checked each time. You also need the right service code from the agency or board asking for the check. The full process is on the Delaware State Police SBI page.

We ran the SBI page while looking at fingerprint routes tied to a Dover background check. The page lists the Dover walk-in site and the appointment-only IdentoGO sites in Newark, Middletown, Milford, Georgetown, and Seaford.

The SBI is the central repository for criminal history in the state. The agency was created under Title 11, Chapter 85 of the Delaware Code. Section 8513 of the same chapter gives each person the right to view and fix errors on their own file. The Dover site also handles expungement applications under service code 27S23V.

Law enforcement fingerprinting, such as for some out-of-state concealed carry rules, must be done at the Dover site. A personal certified criminal history report uses code 27RVGT. That report can only be issued to the person who was fingerprinted. It is not a valid Dover background check for any agency, employer, or licensing board.

Dover Court Records at Kent County

The Kent County Courthouse is at 414 Federal Street, Dover, DE 19901. The main phone is (302) 735-1900. The courthouse houses the Superior Court, the Court of Common Pleas, and Family Court for all of Kent County. Criminal and civil court records for Dover cases can be accessed here. More info is on the state's Kent County Superior Court page.

The Prothonotary's Office handles civil case filings and records. The Court Clerk's Office keeps criminal case files. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Public access terminals let you search the docket by name or case number. Court records may be reviewed in person during business hours. Copy fees apply for print-outs. Certified copies cost more. Security screening is required for all visitors.

We reviewed the Kent County Superior Court page while checking tools for a Dover background check. The site covers court calendars, forms, and clerk contact info.

You can also search cases from home using the state's civil case search tool or the CourtConnect portal. Civil dockets show party names, case type, filing date, case status, and the next event date. Criminal data on the public portal is more limited. For the full file, the clerk at the Kent County Courthouse is still the best stop. The Dover case files are part of the Kent County background check file set.

Dover City Clerk and FOIA Requests

The City of Dover Clerk's Office keeps official city records. That set includes ordinances, resolutions, meeting minutes, and city contracts. The Clerk also handles FOIA requests for city records. Business license applications go through this office too. The main city site is at dover.de.us. Public records requests should be sent in writing to the City Clerk.

Delaware's FOIA law is coded at 29 Del. C. §§ 10001-10007. The city has 15 business days to respond. The Clerk's office may produce the records, deny the request under an exemption, or write that more time is needed. Fees for copies and staff time can apply under state rules. Fee waivers may be granted when a request serves the public interest.

The office issues various permits, such as parade permits and special event permits. Vital statistics, including birth and death certificates, are available through the state, but the city office can point you to the right state form. City Council agendas and minutes are open to the public.

Denials of FOIA requests can be appealed to the Delaware Attorney General's Office within 60 days. The AG issues binding opinions on FOIA disputes. Each city and state agency has its own FOIA Coordinator.

Other Dover Background Check Tools

The Delaware Sex Offender Registry is free and public. The SBI runs it. You can search by name, by city, or by ZIP code. A Dover search will show every tier II and tier III offender who lives, works, or goes to school in the city. The Department of Correction inmate locator is also free. You can search by name, ID, or facility. The VINELink tool sends alerts when custody status changes.

The Dover Police Department keeps a sex offender registry for Dover residents as part of its own files. The department also works with the SBI on fingerprint-based checks for local residents who need a state record pulled for an application. Fingerprinting at the department is an option when the Bay Road walk-in site is too busy.

Volunteer fire company members can get a free fingerprint check under Title 16, Chapter 66. The code covers the State Fire Commission rules for volunteer fire service. EMT applicants pay for their own fingerprint check under Title 16, Section 6712. Service codes are 27S47F for fire and 27RX6F for EMT. A Dover background check for these roles goes through the Bay Road walk-in site.

For more detail on Kent County clerks, the county recorder of deeds, and state police Troop 3, see the Kent County background check page. The county page ties together every office that feeds a Dover background check.

Nearby Cities in Kent County

Kent County covers Dover and a few other towns. Pick a nearby city below for local Dover background check resources tied to each town.

View Kent County Background Check