New Castle County Recorder-Deeds

New Castle County Recorder-Deeds Your trusted source for deeds, property records, fraud prevention, and public record information.

09/04/2026

HOW DEED FRAUD HAPPENS

How can deed fraud happen?

In some schemes, criminals use stolen information or forged paperwork to impersonate a property owner and attempt to record a fraudulent transfer.

The public record may not immediately reveal that the information was false, which is why awareness matters.

Monitor your property information, pay attention to anything unusual, and use available notification tools such as AlertMe to help stay informed.

09/03/2026

T.O.D. DEED MYTH-BUSTER

Here's a Transfer on Death deed myth: recording one means you immediately give up control of your home.

False.

Under Delaware law, a T.O.D. deed does not transfer the property during the owner's lifetime. The owner can revoke it and remains free to transfer the property while living.

The transfer happens only at death if the legal requirements have been satisfied.

09/02/2026

DEEDS VS. MORTGAGES VS. LIENS
KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

A deed, mortgage and lien can all appear in property records, but they serve very different purposes.

Deed: relates to ownership or transfer of an interest in property.

Mortgage: relates to financing secured by property.

Lien: represents a legal claim or encumbrance that may affect property.

Understanding the terminology can make navigating public records a lot easier.

General educational information only and not legal advice.

09/01/2026

55 YEARS OF LABOR VALUES. 24 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE. STILL PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST.

Michael E. Kozikowski Sr. has served as New Castle County Recorder of Deeds since 2002, but as he says, it has never been his office — “It’s your office.”

Michael’s roots in the United Auto Workers, Building Trades and AFL-CIO helped shape a philosophy he has carried throughout his years of public service: treat every person with dignity and respect.

That philosophy became the foundation for how he approached the Recorder of Deeds Office — putting people first, striving for continuous improvement, being fiscally responsible, and recognizing that success comes from having a dedicated team serving the public.

Today, that commitment includes helping New Castle County families understand tools such as the Transfer on Death Deed, which can allow eligible homeowners to transfer their property to designated beneficiaries upon death without the property having to pass through probate.

As Michael puts it:

“Help me help you. Help me help others.”

For Michael E. Kozikowski Sr., public service has always been about the people of New Castle County — and making their government work for them.

Michael E. Kozikowski Sr.
New Castle County Recorder of Deeds Putting People First.

08/31/2026

ASK US ANYTHING

Have a question about:

Property records?
Deeds?
Mortgages?
Liens?
Document searches?
AlertMe?

Send it our way.

We’re building future FAQ content around the questions New Castle County residents actually want answered.

Comment below or send us a message. Your question may be featured in an upcoming post.

08/28/2026

Fun Fact Friday!

PLAN AHEAD: TRANSFER ON DEATH DEEDS

Delaware law now provides homeowners with another estate-planning option.

A Transfer on Death deed can allow an owner to designate who will receive real property at death while the owner retains control during life.

TOD deeds have specific legal, witnessing and recording requirements, including being recorded before the owner's death.

Every situation is different, so consider speaking ith an attorney before deciding whether this option is appropriate for you.

This information is provided for general educational purposes and is not legal advice.



08/27/2026

🍦 THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE DEEDS | Another Day in the Deeds

I say it all the time — I’m nothing without my employees.

Our annual ice cream gathering is one of my favorite traditions because it gives us a chance to step away from the work for a little while, enjoy each other’s company, share some laughs, recognize the people who serve, and celebrate the camaraderie that makes our office what it is.

Titles don’t make an office successful. People do. And I’m proud and honored to work alongside a team that shows up every day to serve the people of New Castle County.

Sometimes Another Day in the Deeds is about deeds. Sometimes it’s about the incredible people behind them. 🍦❤️

Michael E. Kozikowski Sr.
New Castle County Recorder of Deeds

08/26/2026

PROTECT YOURSELF: MEET ALERTME

AlertMe is a free, voluntary notification service that can alert you when a document containing your name has been recorded or recently corrected through the New Castle County Recorder of Deeds Office.

It's simple. It's free. And staying informed can provide an additional layer of awareness when it comes to your property records.
Learn more and sign up through the official
New Castle County resource.



08/24/2026

What does the Recorder of Deeds actually do?

The Recorder of Deeds Office receives, records and preserves important land and property documents for New Castle County while helping residents access information contained in the public record.

The documents may change over the years, but the mission remains the same: preserve the record and make important property information accessible to the public.

08/21/2026

Fun Fact Friday!

Did you know that when you purchase a home, your deed becomes part of the official public record?

The New Castle County Recorder of Deeds Office is responsible for recording and preserving these important documents, helping protect property rights and preserve our county’s history for generations to come.

Now here’s a question for you:

How long do you think deed records are kept?

Take your best guess in the comments before looking it up!

Every deed recorded helps tell the story of New Castle County, one property, one family, one generation at a time.

Follow our page each Fun Fact Friday as we share interesting facts about real estate, property records, and the services your Recorder of Deeds Office provides.

🌐 www.newcastlede.gov/136/Recorder-of-Deeds

📞 (302) 395-7700

📍 800 N. French Street, 4th Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801

This information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice.

Address

800 N French Street #4
Wilmington, DE
19801

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