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The bottom line: Delaware keeps the private sale process simple. There’s no emissions testing for sellers, plates stay with you when you hand over the keys, and both you and the buyer sign the title together on the back.
Your job as the seller: sign the title over to the buyer, remove your plates, and mail the Seller’s Report of Sale to the Delaware DMV within 30 days. The buyer handles registration fees, the document fee, and the title transfer fee after that.
Key Takeaways
- Title notarization: Delaware does not require it. Sign in blue or black ink, exactly as your name appears on the front of the title.
- Missing title: A replacement costs $50. Download Form MV-213 from the Delaware DMV website and submit it with your ID. Processing typically takes a few weeks.
- Buyer deadline: The buyer has 30 days to transfer the title. After that, they’ll owe a $35 late fee.
- License plates: They stay with you, not the car. Remove them before the buyer drives away.
- Release of liability: Delaware requires you to mail the Seller’s Report of Sale to the DMV within 30 days. File it right after the sale to protect yourself.
- Bill of sale: Not required by law in Delaware for regular titled vehicles. It’s recommended for your protection. No notarization needed.
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Step-by-Step Process for Delaware
Step 1: Prepare Your Delaware Paperwork
Documents you’ll need:
- Vehicle title – Must be in your name and clear of liens
- Valid Delaware driver’s license – Name must match the title exactly
- Lien release documentation – If you still owe money on the car
If your title is missing:
You’ll need to get a replacement first. Download Form MV-213 and submit it to your local Delaware DMV with your ID and $50. You’ll need to include your vehicle’s VIN, make, model, year, license plate number, and the signatures and driver’s license numbers of all owners. Processing usually takes a few weeks.
If you still owe money on the car:
Your lender holds the lien on the title and needs to release it before you can transfer ownership. Contact your lender directly to start their lien release process. If you owe more than the car is worth, you’ll need to pay the difference before the sale can close.
Learn more: How to Sell a Financed Car?
Name matching requirement:
Check your title carefully. The name on your driver’s license must match the name on the title exactly. If you got married or changed your name, bring documentation showing the name change.
Step 2: Prepare Your Car
Clean your car inside and out, gather maintenance records, and run a VIN check to get the best price and build buyer confidence.
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Step 3: Price Your Car
Learn more: Best Free Car Valuation Tools
Step 4: Advertise Your Car
Facebook Marketplace works best in Delaware, especially in Wilmington, Dover, and Newark where buyer activity is highest. Cars.com and Autotrader are good for reaching buyers statewide and from neighboring states like Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland.
Delaware has no emissions testing requirement for sellers, which makes it easier to move older or high-mileage cars in the private market. Peddle or Wheelzy will buy your old or damaged car directly, and Carvana will give you competitive offers if you have a newer car.
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Step 5: Meet with Buyers Safely
Always meet at public places like bank parking lots during daylight hours.
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Step 6: Handle Payment and Negotiate
Cash for cars under $5,000, cashier’s check (verify at bank), or meet at the buyer’s bank for a wire transfer.
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Step 7: Complete the Delaware Title Transfer
The seller and buyer both sign the back of the title together. Delaware recommends completing the transfer in person at a DMV office so a title associate can review the paperwork and catch any errors on the spot.
What to fill out (Section 1 on the back of the title):
- Buyer’s full legal name and complete address
- Date of sale and purchase price
- Odometer reading (see exemptions below)
- Your signature, exactly as your name appears on the front of the title
The buyer also signs Section 1 and must write in their driver’s license number and date of birth.
Multiple owners on the title?
- “AND” on the title = every owner must sign
- “AND/OR” on the title = only one owner needs to sign
Odometer disclosure: You must record the mileage on the title unless the vehicle is 10 years old or older, weighs more than 16,000 lbs and is used commercially, or has no motor. For most passenger cars under 10 years old, it’s required.
No corrections allowed: White-out or cross-outs make the title invalid. If you write something wrong, you’ll need to apply for a duplicate title (Form MV-213, $50) and start over. Take your time and double-check everything before you sign.
Before handing over the title: Detach the Seller’s Report of Sale tear-off from the bottom. That’s your copy to mail to the DMV after the sale. Give the completed title to the buyer.
Buyer’s deadline: The buyer has 30 days to transfer the title at a Delaware DMV office. After 30 days, they’ll owe a $35 late fee. The car can’t be driven until a new title is issued, so the buyer can pick up a 5-day temporary tag for $20 to drive it to the DMV.
Learn more: What is Odometer Disclosure Statement? (Each State Guide)
Step 8: Sign Bill of Sale (Recommended)
A bill of sale isn’t required by state law in Delaware for regular titled vehicles. It’s still smart protection for you and the buyer in case any dispute comes up after the sale.
No notarization is required. You can use our free bill of sale generator to create one in minutes.
Learn more: What is Bill of Sale for a Car? (Seller Guide + Templates)
Step 9: Handle Delaware License Plates and Registration
Remove your license plates before the buyer drives away. In Delaware, plates belong to you (the owner), not the car.
You can transfer them to another car you own for a $35 transfer fee, or surrender them to any Delaware DMV office. The buyer gets new plates when they register the car.
Learn more: How to Remove License Plates Safely?
Step 10: Submit the Release of Liability
Submit the Seller’s Report of Sale to the Delaware DMV after you sell the car. You must do this within 30 days of the sale date.
The form is the tear-off section at the bottom of your Delaware title. Fill in the buyer’s name and address, the date and time of the sale, and your signature. Mail it to: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, Data Management Section, P.O. Box 698, Dover, DE 19903.
This creates a paper trail showing you’re no longer responsible for the vehicle.
Learn more: What is a Car Release of Liability Form? (Each State Forms)
Step 11: Cancel Insurance
Cancel your insurance only after the title transfer is complete.
Learn more: When to Cancel Car Insurance After Selling a Car?
Delaware DMV Resources
State Resources:
Phone Support (by location):
- Wilmington: (302) 434-3200
- Delaware City: (302) 326-5000
- Dover: (302) 744-2500
- Georgetown: (302) 853-1000
Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8 AM to 4 PM. Wednesday: 12 PM to 8 PM.
Delaware Fees and Costs
| What You Pay? | Cost | When? |
|---|---|---|
| Duplicate title (if needed) | $50.00 | Before sale |
| Lien payoff (if applicable) | Loan balance | Before sale |
| Everything else | $0 | Buyer pays |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the buyer have to transfer the title after we complete the sale?
The buyer has 30 days to bring the title to a Delaware DMV office and complete the transfer. If they miss that deadline, they’ll owe a $35 late fee on top of the regular transfer fees.
Delaware recommends that both the seller and buyer complete the transfer together at a DMV location. This protects both parties and lets a DMV associate catch any paperwork errors right away.
Do I need to get the title notarized when I sign it over in Delaware?
No, Delaware doesn’t require title notarization. The title assignment itself never needs a notary. Just sign in blue or black ink exactly as your name appears on the front of the title.
When is a bill of sale required in Delaware?
A bill of sale isn’t required by state law in Delaware for regular titled vehicle sales. It’s still a good idea for both parties as a written record of the terms.
No notarization is required. You can use our free bill of sale generator to create one quickly.
Can I sell my car if I still owe money on it in Delaware?
Yes, but you need to coordinate lien release with your lender first. Your lender holds the physical title until the loan is paid off. They’ll need to either release the lien directly on the title or provide a separate lien release letter before you can transfer ownership.
If you owe more than the car is worth, you’ll need to pay the difference out of pocket to clear the lien.
My car was inherited. What additional Delaware forms do I need?
If the estate went through probate, you’ll need a copy of the death certificate and letters testamentary (or letters of administration) showing you’re authorized to act on behalf of the estate. You’d then sign the title as the authorized representative.
For smaller estates that didn’t go through probate, Delaware may accept an affidavit of heirship along with the death certificate. Contact the Delaware DMV directly to confirm what they’ll accept for your specific situation before the sale.
Both my spouse and I are on the Delaware title. Do we both need to sign?
It depends on how your names appear on the front of the title. If it says “AND,” every owner listed must sign the Assignment of Certificate of Title section on the back.
If it says “AND/OR,” only one owner needs to sign. Look at the front of your title carefully before the sale so you’re not scrambling to track down a co-owner at the last minute.
What if I make a mistake on the Delaware title?
Don’t try to fix it yourself with white-out or cross-outs. Any correction makes the title invalid and the DMV won’t accept it.
You’ll need to apply for a duplicate title using Form MV-213, pay the $50 fee, and start over once the new title arrives. Take your time and double-check before you put pen to paper.
The buyer is from out of state. Does Delaware require anything special?
Your obligations as the seller stay the same regardless of where the buyer lives. Sign the title correctly, remove your plates, and mail your Seller’s Report of Sale to the Delaware DMV.
The buyer will register the vehicle in their home state using the Delaware title. Some states require a VIN inspection for out-of-state vehicles, but that’s the buyer’s responsibility to sort out on their end.
Do Delaware license plates transfer to the buyer?
No, Delaware license plates stay with you (the seller). Remove them before the buyer drives away. You can transfer them to another vehicle you own for a $35 fee, or surrender them to any Delaware DMV office.
Do I need to file a release of liability after selling my car in Delaware?
Yes. Delaware requires you to submit the Seller’s Report of Sale within 30 days of the sale date. The form is the tear-off section at the bottom of your Delaware title, or you can find it on the Delaware DMV title transfer page.
Fill in the buyer’s name and address, the date and time of the sale, and your signature. Mail it to Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, Data Management Section, P.O. Box 698, Dover, DE 19903. Don’t delay. Filing right after the sale protects you from liability for tickets or violations the new owner racks up.
Learn more: What is a Car Release of Liability Form? (Each State Forms)
How do I sell a junk car in Delaware?
You still need the title to sell a junk car in Delaware. If your car doesn’t run or has major problems, you can sell it as-is, but you’re required to tell the buyer about all known issues.
Online buyers like Peddle and Wheelzy often pick up vehicles for free and handle most of the paperwork. You’ll still need to sign the title properly, remove your plates, and mail the Seller’s Report of Sale to protect yourself from future liability.
Want to compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor before deciding who to sell to? Our free tool shows you competing offers in minutes.
Article Update History
This article was reviewed against the Delaware DMV's official title transfer requirements.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.