Wilmington Busted Mugshots
Wilmington busted mugshots come from the Wilmington Police Department, the New Castle County Police, and the Delaware State Police. To search Wilmington busted mugshots, you can call the Wilmington Police Records Unit, check the Department of Correction inmate locator, or run a name in the DELJIS warrant tool. The Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington holds most local mugshot records for people booked in the city. The Leonard L. Williams Justice Center is the main court for Wilmington arrest cases.
Wilmington Overview
Wilmington Police and Mugshot Records
The Wilmington Police Department is the lead agency for arrests inside the city. The department sits at 300 North Walnut Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. The main line is (302) 576-3940. The Records Unit takes calls at (302) 576-3607. The unit holds Wilmington arrest reports, incident reports, and crash reports. To get a copy of an incident or crime report, victims can visit the Wilmington Police in person at no cost.
For Wilmington crash reports, drivers, owners, and insurance companies can request a copy. Mail a written request with a self-addressed stamped envelope and a $20 check or money order to the Records Unit at 300 North Walnut Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. The Wilmington Police coordinate with the New Castle County Police, the Delaware State Police, and other local agencies on big cases. Vehicle releases now go through the Department of Finance, not the Wilmington Police.
Note: Picture ID is required for Wilmington Police record pickups. Crash report fees are paid to the Wilmington Police Department.
Delaware State Police News for Wilmington
The Delaware State Police post arrest news for Wilmington and the rest of New Castle County in the DSP newsroom. Posts list the date, location, charges, and bond info. Some posts include a Wilmington mugshot. The State Police also work cases that cross city lines or that involve serious crime. View the latest at the DSP newsroom page.
The DSP Victim Services Unit is open 24 hours through 1-800-VICTIM-1 for anyone affected by a Wilmington crime. Tips on Wilmington cases go to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333. The State Police also send tips to the Wilmington Police records team for follow-up.
Wilmington Court Records and Arrests
Felony cases tied to Wilmington arrests go through the Superior Court at the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center, 500 N. King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. The court line is (302) 255-0800. Public counter hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Misdemeanor cases go to the Court of Common Pleas at the same address, (302) 255-0900. View the court page at the Wilmington Superior Court page.
Public access terminals sit at the courthouse. The Prothonotary's Office holds the official Wilmington court records and processes copy requests. Most case data also feeds into the Delaware CourtConnect portal for free online lookup.
Wilmington court records show charges filed, court dates, attorneys of record, and judgment data. Some Wilmington files stay closed under state rules. Juvenile cases, sealed orders, and expunged Wilmington mugshots will not show up in the public file.
Wilmington Public Records and Mugshots
Public Record Center keeps a Wilmington page that lists every record office in the city. The directory covers the Wilmington Police, the New Castle County Sheriff, the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution, and the State Bureau of Identification. Browse the index at the Wilmington public records page.
City Council in Wilmington meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM at City Council Chambers, 800 North French Street. The annual operating budget is about $156 million for fiscal year 2023. Records of council action are also covered by Delaware FOIA. View related state law at 29 Del. C. § 10001.
- Wilmington Police Records Unit: (302) 576-3607
- NC County Sheriff: 87 Reads Way, New Castle
- Howard R. Young Correctional Institution
- Superior Court: 500 N. King Street
- State Bureau of Identification fingerprinting
FOIA Requests for Wilmington Mugshots
Anyone can file a Delaware FOIA request for a Wilmington arrest report or mugshot. The process runs through the agency that holds the file. For Wilmington Police records, mail or walk in your written request to the Records Unit. For court records tied to a Wilmington case, contact the Prothonotary at the courthouse. The state runs an online FOIA form at the Delaware FOIA portal. The agency has 15 business days to respond.
The Delaware Department of Justice posts FOIA opinion letters that explain when a Wilmington mugshot or arrest record can be held back. Active cases, juvenile matters, and expunged Wilmington records stay closed. Appeals from a denial go to the AG.
Wilmington Booking and Inmate Lookup
Howard R. Young Correctional Institution serves as the main jail for Wilmington and the rest of New Castle County. Most Wilmington arrests pass through Howard R. Young for fingerprints, intake, and the booking photo. Custody info shows up on the DOC inmate search. The system shows the booking date, the charge, the bond amount, the housing unit, and the mugshot when one is on file.
For statewide warrants tied to a Wilmington arrest, run a name on the DELJIS Wanted Person portal. The site is free and lists over 70,000 active Delaware warrants. The Wilmington Police use the same system to verify warrants before serving them.
Active Wilmington investigations stay closed under FOIA exemptions. Some Wilmington mugshot files may be held back if they could affect a pending case.
The DOC inmate locator covers all major Delaware lockups. Wilmington bookings can move from Howard R. Young to Baylor Women's Correctional in New Castle when the file calls for it. Both facilities are part of the same Delaware DOC inmate network used for Wilmington arrests and mugshot tracking. Family members can sign up for VINELink to get a free text or email when a Wilmington inmate is released, transferred, or has a status change.
Wilmington Sits in New Castle County
Wilmington is the county seat of New Castle County. All Wilmington felony arrests go through the New Castle County Superior Court. For broader county-wide info on arrest records and the sheriff, visit the New Castle County page.
Wilmington Background Checks and Mugshot History
For a certified Wilmington criminal history, the State Bureau of Identification charges $72 for a state record and $85 for a state plus federal check. The closest fingerprint sites for Wilmington residents are right in the city or in Newark. Schedule the appointment at uenroll.identogo.com using the right service code from the agency that asked for the check. Bring a valid photo ID. Standard Wilmington background results take 4 to 6 weeks. Both felony and misdemeanor outcomes show up on the report, including non-conviction Wilmington arrests and any mugshot tied to the case.
Nearby Cities
These nearby Delaware cities also share the New Castle County court and jail system. Each one runs its own city police department too.