Sussex County Recorder of Deeds: Search Land Records, Deeds, Office Hours & Recording Help
The Sussex County Recorder of Deeds is the Delaware office to use for recorded land documents such as deeds, mortgages, releases, assignments, easements, declarations, plats and related real-estate instruments. Most users searching this topic need one of three things: look up a recorded deed online, record a new document, or contact the Georgetown office before closing.
This guide separates the Recorder of Deeds from the Assessment Office and GIS map, explains how the Landmark Web records search fits into a title or ownership check, and shows what to verify before relying on a deed record, tax parcel, transfer-tax form or property-fraud alert.
What Does the Sussex County Recorder of Deeds Do?
The Sussex County Recorder of Deeds records and indexes land records for Sussex County, Delaware. Use this office when you need a recorded deed, mortgage, release, easement, declaration, plat, financing statement, corporate filing record, copy of a recorded document, or help with a document that must be placed in the county land records.
Use Recorder of Deeds For
- Recorded deeds and deed book/page references.
- Mortgages, assignments, releases and satisfactions.
- Recorded easements, declarations and covenants.
- Plats, surveys and instruments accepted for recording.
Use Assessment Office For
- Parcel number, tax map and property assessment details.
- Owner name shown on the county tax/assessment record.
- Land value, building value and property classification.
- Assessment contact: assessment@sussexcountyde.gov.
Use GIS Mapping For
- Parcel map location and nearby parcels.
- Map, parcel, district and PIN-style identifiers.
- Visual boundary review before ordering records.
- Printing or exporting a parcel map when available.
How to Search Sussex County Deed Records Online
Sussex County uses Landmark Web for online Recorder of Deeds records. The portal includes a disclaimer that users should search spelling variations and that the online system is provided as a service rather than a warranty of title accuracy.
Open the Official Landmark Web Records Search
Start with the county’s official Landmark Web portal, not a paid third-party “property records” site. If the portal sends you to a registration or login page, read the disclaimer before accepting.
Search by the Most Reliable Identifier First
If you already have a book/page, instrument number or document number from a closing file, tax parcel, mortgage release or title report, use that before trying a broad name search. A precise identifier usually reduces false matches.
Use Grantor and Grantee Names Carefully
For deed history, search both sides of the transaction. The grantor is usually the seller or transferring party, and the grantee is usually the buyer or receiving party. Try full names, last-name-only searches, business-name variants and spelling variations.
Confirm the Property With Parcel and Legal Details
Do not rely only on a matching name. Compare the property address, tax map/parcel number, district, legal description, subdivision, lot number or book/page references to confirm the document belongs to the correct Sussex County property.
Use the Assessment Search or GIS Map as a Cross-Check
Sussex County’s property search is compiled from recorded deeds, plats, tax maps, surveys and other public data, but the county warns that online property information does not replace official records. Use it to identify parcel details, then return to the Recorder’s records for the recorded instrument.
Save the Full Citation
When you find the right record, save the document type, recording date, book/page, instrument number, party names and any image/copy receipt. This helps the Recorder’s staff locate the same record if you later request a certified or emailed copy.
What You May See in a Sussex County Recorder Search Result
Online deed search results can look technical. Use this decoder to understand the fields before you assume a record is the exact deed or release you need.
| Field or Clue | What It Means | Why It Matters | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grantor | Usually the person or entity giving, selling, releasing or assigning an interest. | Useful when tracing the seller side of a deed, mortgage release or assignment. | Only searching the current owner name and missing older grantor-side records. |
| Grantee | Usually the person or entity receiving the property interest or recorded right. | Useful for finding the buyer side of a deed or the lender side of a mortgage. | Assuming every grantee entry proves current ownership without later conveyances. |
| Book and Page | Traditional recorded-reference system used to cite the location of a document in land records. | Useful when requesting copies or matching references from old deeds and title reports. | Confusing book/page references with tax-map, parcel or assessment numbers. |
| Instrument or Document Number | A unique recording identifier assigned to a document when accepted and indexed. | Often the fastest way to retrieve a known record. | Entering a parcel number into a document-number field. |
| Tax Map / Parcel | Assessment and mapping identifier connected to the property, not the same as legal title. | Useful for matching a deed to the correct physical parcel. | Treating an assessment record as a complete title search. |
| Document Type | Label such as deed, mortgage, release, assignment, easement, declaration or plat. | Helps decide whether the record transfers ownership, secures debt, releases a lien or affects land use. | Opening a mortgage when you really need the deed, or a deed when you need a release. |
How to Prepare a Document for the Sussex County Recorder of Deeds
The Recorder of Deeds records documents; it does not normally draft your deed, fix legal descriptions, calculate every tax consequence or decide whether your transfer is legally correct. Prepare the packet before going to Georgetown, mailing a document or sending a settlement runner.
Bring or Include
- Original document ready for recording.
- Proper signatures, acknowledgments and notary block where required.
- Tax map, parcel or property location details.
- Correct grantor and grantee names.
- Return address or return instructions.
- Correct recording fees and transfer-tax payment when applicable.
- RTT-TAX / gain-and-value or Sussex transfer-tax affidavit if required for the transaction.
Do Not Assume
- The Recorder will tell you whether a deed is legally valid for your estate plan.
- A prior owner’s tax record proves your current title.
- The property search portal replaces a recorded deed copy.
- A transfer is tax-exempt without the correct affidavit or statutory basis.
- You can arrive after 4:00 PM and still record the same day.
| Recording Item | Current Guide Detail | What to Verify Before Recording |
|---|---|---|
| Standard recorded documents | Sussex County Code lists recording, comparing and indexing many deed/mortgage-type papers at $9 per page. | Open the official fee schedule before recording because county fees can change during budget or ordinance updates. |
| Plot, plat, survey or site plan | Sussex County Code lists recording a plot, plat, survey or similar site plan at $30 per page. | Confirm page size, recording format and any Planning & Zoning or subdivision approval requirement before presenting it. |
| RTT-TAX | Delaware Form RTT-TAX is the Realty Transfer Tax Return and Affidavit of Gain and Value and must be presented at recording for conveyances when applicable. | Download the current form from Delaware Division of Revenue or the Sussex County forms page, not an old saved PDF. |
| Sussex County realty transfer tax affidavit | Sussex County forms include a realty transfer tax affidavit for county/local transfer-tax calculation and exemption explanation. | Verify incorporated vs unincorporated location, town transfer tax, first-time homebuyer affidavit and exemption basis. |
| Unlawful restrictive covenant redaction | Sussex County provides a Recorder of Deeds form for requesting redaction of unlawful restrictive covenant language under Delaware law. | Have the tax map/parcel number, property address, document type and book/page ready before submitting the request. |
Sussex County Recording Packet Checklist
Use this checklist before visiting, mailing, or sending a closing runner. It is educational and does not replace legal review or the official Recorder’s acceptance decision.
Sussex County Recorder of Deeds Office in Georgetown
The Recorder of Deeds office is in Georgetown at the Sussex County government complex around The Circle. Plan around the recording-window cutoff, not just the general office closing time.
Sussex County Recorder of Deeds
Recorder: Alexandra Reed Baker
Street address:
2 The Circle
Georgetown, DE 19947
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 827
Georgetown, DE 19947
Phone: (302) 855-7785
Fax: (302) 855-7787
Email: deeds@sussexcountyde.gov
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM, except holidays. Recording window closes at 4:00 PM.
Sussex County Recording Activity Notification: What It Does and Does Not Do
Sussex County’s Recording Activity Notification is a useful monitoring tool, but it is not a title insurance policy, fraud investigation or lien-removal service. The portal says the alert is triggered by a requested personal or business name and does not produce alerts based on parcel number or property address.
Good Uses
- Monitor your personal name for new land-record recordings.
- Monitor an LLC, trust or business name tied to your property.
- Get an email prompt to review new recorded activity.
- Use it as an early-warning tool after paying off a mortgage or inheriting property.
Limitations
- It does not monitor by parcel number or address.
- It does not prove a document is fraudulent or valid.
- It does not remove a suspicious recording automatically.
- It does not replace regular title, deed or mortgage-release review.
Why You May Not Find a Sussex County Deed Record
Deed searches fail for practical reasons: spelling, entity names, wrong portal, old references, tax-map confusion or searching the wrong county.
| Problem | Try This | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| No result for owner name | Try last name only, initials, prior owner, spouse name, trust name, LLC name and spelling variations. | The Landmark Web disclaimer advises users to search possible spelling variations of proper names. |
| Too many name matches | Add a date range, document type, book/page, parcel clue or grantee/grantor side if the portal allows it. | Sussex County has common surnames and many coastal transfers, so broad owner searches can produce unrelated results. |
| Parcel appears in property search but not deeds | Use the assessment result to collect tax map/parcel, owner and legal clues, then search Landmark Web again. | The property search and deed-record system are different tools with different search fields. |
| Old deed reference does not match current parcel | Check subdivision plats, parcel splits, mergers, road changes and prior book/page references. | Parcel identifiers can change while older deeds still refer to earlier legal descriptions. |
| Property near county line | Confirm the property is in Sussex County, not Kent County, Wicomico County, Worcester County or another nearby jurisdiction. | Postal city names and beach-area mailing addresses do not always tell you the recording county. |
| Document image will not open | Try a supported browser, check pop-up/PDF settings, log in again if the session expired and contact the Recorder if the image still fails. | Landmark Web may require a compatible browser, PDF viewer and active session. |
Official Sussex County Recorder of Deeds Links
Use these official resources for final verification. Each action link includes exactly what to do after opening it.
Sussex County Recorder of Deeds Office
Use this county page for office information, recorder services, official notices, forms and department navigation.
- Confirm the current office contact details and any county notices.
- Look for forms, fee schedule, recording information and public search links.
- Call (302) 855-7785 before visiting if your document involves unusual signatures, old book/page references, transfer tax or a large recording packet.
Landmark Web Official Records Search
Use this portal to search Sussex County recorded land records online.
- Read the disclaimer and accept the terms if you agree.
- Register or log in if the system requires an account for your search or document images.
- Search using the strongest identifier you have: document number, book/page, party name or date range.
- Try spelling variations and business-name variations if a name search fails.
- Save the recording reference before ordering copies or calling the office.
Recorder of Deeds Forms
Use this page for county recorder forms such as realty transfer, redaction, recording or related document forms.
- Download a fresh copy of the form instead of reusing an old saved PDF.
- Match the form to your document type: deed, transfer-tax affidavit, redaction request or other recording need.
- Check whether signatures, notary, parcel number, book/page or tax computation fields are required.
- Ask the Recorder or your settlement professional before filing an incomplete or uncertain form.
Recorder of Deeds Fee Schedule
Use this page to check recording fees before mailing or presenting a document.
- Find the fee category that matches your document type.
- Calculate fees by page or instrument where applicable.
- Check whether plats, expedited return, copies, state document fees or transfer taxes apply.
- Confirm payee and payment method before sending a recording package.
Recording Activity Notification
Use this free alert tool to receive email notices when a recording is indexed under a monitored personal or business name.
- Choose whether you are monitoring a personal name or business name.
- Enter the name and email address exactly as requested.
- Send the confirmation email and complete any verification step.
- Remember that the alert is name-based; it does not monitor by parcel number or property address.
Sussex County Property Search
Use this separate assessment portal to cross-check parcel, owner, tax map and assessment information.
- Use address, owner or parcel-style search options available in the property system.
- Open the matching property record and copy the parcel/tax-map details.
- Use those parcel details to confirm you found the right recorded deed in Landmark Web.
- Do not treat the assessment record as a substitute for the official recorded instrument.
Sussex County GIS Map
Use this map to identify parcels visually, check map context and print parcel maps when available.
- Open the map and select the parcel search panel.
- Search with a parcel, owner or location clue if the map offers that search type.
- Click the parcel and compare ownership, district, map and parcel details.
- Use the print option for a map reference, but use recorded documents for deed/title research.
Delaware Division of Revenue Realty Transfer Forms
Use this state page for current-year RTT-TAX and related realty transfer forms.
- Scroll to the Realty Transfer section.
- Download the current RTT-TAX form and instructions if your conveyance requires it.
- Do not rely on a prior-year PDF unless the Recorder or settlement professional confirms it is still accepted.
- Coordinate state, county and town transfer-tax forms before presenting the deed for recording.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Office / Tool |
|---|---|---|
| You need a copy of a deed, mortgage, release or easement. | Search Landmark Web by book/page, document number, recording date or party name, then save the full recording reference. | Recorder of Deeds / Landmark Web |
| You need the current tax parcel or assessment details. | Search the Sussex County property assessment portal by address, owner or parcel details. | Sussex County Assessment Office |
| You need to record a new deed or transfer document. | Confirm signatures, notary, legal description, RTT-TAX, Sussex transfer-tax forms, fees and recording-window timing. | Recorder of Deeds / Settlement professional |
| You are worried about deed fraud. | Register for Recording Activity Notification by personal or business name and review any email alert quickly. | Landmark Web Fraud Alert |
| Your deed or legal description appears wrong. | Do not try to fix it through a simple search. Speak with a Delaware title company or attorney about corrective documents. | Title professional / Attorney / Recorder for recording only |
Sussex County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
Where is the Sussex County Recorder of Deeds located?
The Sussex County Recorder of Deeds is located at 2 The Circle, Georgetown, Delaware 19947. The mailing address is P.O. Box 827, Georgetown, DE 19947.
What is the phone number for the Sussex County Recorder of Deeds?
The main phone number for the Sussex County Recorder of Deeds is (302) 855-7785. The office fax number is (302) 855-7787, and deed-related email can be sent to deeds@sussexcountyde.gov.
What time does the Sussex County Recorder recording window close?
The office hours are listed as Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, except holidays, but the recording window closes at 4:00 PM. If you need same-day recording, arrive earlier with fees and forms already prepared.
How do I search Sussex County deed records online?
Use the official Landmark Web records search for Sussex County Recorder of Deeds records. Read the disclaimer, register or log in if required, then search by document number, book/page, recording date, grantor, grantee or other available fields.
Is the Sussex County property search the same as the Recorder of Deeds search?
No. The property search is an assessment and parcel-data tool, while the Recorder of Deeds search is for recorded land documents. Use the property search to identify parcel details, then use Landmark Web to find recorded deeds and instruments.
What documents does the Recorder of Deeds record?
The office records many land-related documents, including deeds, mortgages, declarations, easements, releases, assignments, plats, surveys and other instruments proper for recording under Delaware and Sussex County rules.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Sussex County?
Sussex County Code lists many deed and mortgage-type recordings at $9 per page, while plats, plots, surveys or similar site plans are listed separately. Because fee schedules can change and transfer taxes may apply, always check the official Recorder of Deeds fee schedule before recording.
Do I need Delaware Form RTT-TAX for a deed?
Form RTT-TAX is the Delaware Realty Transfer Tax Return and Affidavit of Gain and Value. It must be completed and presented at recording for conveyances when applicable. Check the current Delaware Division of Revenue form and Sussex County instructions before recording.
Does the Sussex County deed fraud alert monitor my property address?
No. Sussex County’s Recording Activity Notification states that alerts are based on a requested personal or business name, not a parcel number or property address. Register every relevant name variation if appropriate.
Can the Recorder of Deeds tell me if my title is clear?
No. The Recorder of Deeds records and indexes documents; it does not guarantee title, provide legal advice or certify that a property is free of liens or defects. For title opinions, deed corrections or closing decisions, contact a Delaware attorney or title professional.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website. It is not the Sussex County Recorder of Deeds, Sussex County Government, Delaware Division of Revenue, Delaware Department of State, a title company, a law firm or a consumer reporting agency.
Recording acceptance, record indexing, copy fees, transfer taxes, legal sufficiency, document priority and title status are controlled by official government offices, Delaware law and qualified legal or title professionals. Always verify current fees, forms and recording requirements with the Sussex County Recorder of Deeds before submitting a document.
Public property and deed records should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or any other regulated consumer-reporting purpose. This page is for public-record navigation and educational use only.