Kent County Recorder Information

About Kent County Recorder

The Recorder of Deeds is responsible for recording and maintaining real property records in Kent County.

Recording Fees

$36.00 - (includes $30.00 State, $6.00 County and Technology.)
Page Fee: $10.00 per page
For Deeds: add $5.00 per tax parcel number

Non-Conforming Fee: $40.00 per document
Rejection Fee: $20.00 per document

Marginal Notation: $7.00 per notation in addition to other fees.

Transfer tax rates are generally 1.5% for the local and 1.5% for the state tax, but they vary in several municipalities. Make sure to check the recorder's website for a list of rates. The list also indicates for which municipalities the county collects the tax. This list can also be found under supplemental forms.

Document Formatting Requirements

All property transfers which require recording must be accompanied by New Property Owner Information Form.

Paper size: 8-1/2 x 11 inches for all documents. This brings us into conformity with the Delaware Courts and most State departments and agencies.

Margins: Top of first page, at least two and a half inches (2.5"). Right margin of all pages, at least three fourths inch (0.75"). All other margins, at least three fourths inch (0.75").

Font size: Each type face used must average 15 pitch in size or larger (15 characters and spaces per inch) to ensure legible copies can be produced from bound volumes, micrographic, and/or electronic storage media.

Tax parcel numbers: Tax parcel numbers (full 25 character code) must be shown on the upper third of the first page of all documents directly involving specific real property (deeds, mortgages, easements, etc.) presented for recording. Tax numbers have been assigned to all taxable parcels of land and may be obtained from the Assessor's Office (302) 744-2416 or the Deeds Office.

Prepared by: The "Prepared By" statement, preceded by the words "Prepared By," must also be shown on the upper third of the first page. You may use the left side of one and one fourth inch top margin for this statement and for the tax parcel number mentioned above.

Notary Public and Attorney signatures: Names, titles, and notary expiration dates must be typed, stamped, or legibly printed in black ink near the signatures. "Notarial Officer" is not a title. "Notary Public" or other title with notary authority must be shown. The above is required even if an embossed seal is used

Deeds that are conveying title to real estate must be accompanied by an affidavit of residence when they are submitted for recording.

In Kent County, the Recorder of Deeds does not have to accept a deed or other instrument that is conveying title to real estate for recording until the recorder has received payment of all state and municipal realty transfer taxes due on the transfer. The city of Dover realty transfer tax is exempt; however, any municipality that has imposed a realty transfer tax may continue to collect tax upon written notification to the recorder of such election. In Kent County, the Recorder of Deeds shall accept any Class C recordings for manufactured homes, but only if the Kent County government, by ordinance, first authorizes and defines Class C grading within Kent County.