What Do I Need for a Delaware Title Transfer?
Individuals who are new to Delaware are required to title and register their out-of-state vehicle within 60 days of establishing residency. As a resident, you are required to complete your vehicle title transfer in person at your local Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office.
Once you have sold your vehicle in Delaware, you must initiate a DE vehicle title transfer within 30 days after the sale. Failure to complete a vehicle title transfer within the 30-day deadline will result in a $35 late fee.
Smog Certification/Vehicle Inspection
In the state of Delaware, vehicles must undergo a vehicle inspection whenever a vehicle owner is titling their vehicle in Delaware for the first time. A vehicle inspection is also required when an individual is renewing their registration.
Emissions testing identifies vehicles that exceed evaporative emissions and exhaust standards. Delaware drivers can’t register their vehicle until it meets the state’s standards. Generally, emissions testing centers inspect vehicles for safety, fuel system leaks, and emissions. Keep in mind exemptions may apply if your vehicle is new or was manufactured before 1967.
Delaware Emissions and Smog Check Requirements
The type of smog test that is performed on your vehicle depends on the vehicle’s type and model year. Delaware performs different smog tests, including an idle test, a two-speed test, and an onboard diagnostic (OBDII) test.
Idle tests are performed on vehicle model years between 1968 and 1980. Two-speed tests are performed on vehicle model years between 1981 and 1995. OBDII tests are performed on vehicles manufactured after 1995 that are at least 5 model years old.
When you visit an emissions testing location, you are required to provide the DE DMV with your current vehicle registration card and proof of a valid DE auto insurance policy.
Smog Check Exemptions in Delaware
Delaware drivers are exempt from vehicle emissions testing if they the following qualifications:
- The passenger vehicle is older than the model year 1967 or the vehicle was manufactured within the last 5 years AND weighs less than 10,000 pounds.
- The vehicle is a motorcycle or a diesel-fueled vehicle that was manufactured before 1997.
Keep in mind, even if a vehicle is exempt from emissions testing, the vehicle may still require a vehicle identification number (VIN) verification.
Emissions Waivers in Delaware
DE residents can obtain a DMV emissions test waiver if they meet certain criteria. Keep in mind, you can’t obtain a waiver for the fuel or safety portion of the test. In order to qualify for a vehicle smog test waiver, vehicles must meet the following criteria:
- Have undergone emissions inspection two or more times and failed, even after completing the required repairs
- The engine parameters are set to the manufacturer’s conditions
- The vehicle failed the test for reasons other than missing emissions control equipment or visible smoke
- The vehicle meets or exceeds the repair cost limit of $75 (for vehicle models between 1968 and 1980
- The vehicle meets or exceeds the repair cost limit of $879 (for vehicles in Kent or New Castle County with model years of 1981 or newer) or $200 (for vehicles registered in Sussex County with model years of 1981 or newer.
- The driver can provide the DMV technician with all vehicle inspection reports (VIR) and repair receipts
NOTE: A Delaware certified repair technician is required to perform the smog test repairs for the parts and labor for the repairs to be valid in order to apply them toward the labor limit.
If a non-certified Delaware technician makes the necessary repairs on the vehicle, only a portion of the vehicle repairs go toward the waiver limit.
Emissions Testing Fees in Delaware
The good news is there is no fee to complete a Delaware smog inspection if you perform the vehicle inspection before the test’s due date. You can complete a smog test up to 90 days before a vehicle’s test expires. The smog check fee is $20 if you fail to complete a vehicle inspection before the vehicle’s registration renewal date.
How to Transfer Your Vehicle Title in Delaware?
Once you have sold your vehicle in Delaware, you must initiate a DE vehicle title transfer within 30 days after the sale. Failure to complete a vehicle title transfer within the 30-day deadline will result in a $35 late fee.
Buying a Vehicle
If you purchase a new vehicle from a dealer, the dealer usually handles the DE vehicle title transfer for you. In order to apply for a DE DMV vehicle title transfer after purchasing a vehicle from a private seller, you need to follow these steps for completing the sections on the back of the vehicle title:
- Section 4 (Purchaser’s Application) You are required to provide your driver’s license number and date of birth.
- Section 1 (Assignment of Certificate of Title) Make sure the seller of the vehicle has completed this section appropriately to avoid delays and possible penalties.
- Section 3 (Vehicle Finance) If your vehicle is financed, make sure this section is completed by the seller.
NOTE: The DE DMV suggests that both you and the seller of the vehicle are present when making the vehicle title transfer to avoid mishaps and confusion.
You need to bring the following items to your local DE DMV when you’re ready to initiate the vehicle title transfer:
- The complete vehicle title certificate
- Proof of a valid DE auto insurance policy
- Your valid DE driver’s license or 2 documents that prove your Delaware residency
- Payment for the necessary fees
- Vehicle title transfer fee for vehicles weighing 5,000 pounds or less:
- Without a lien: $35
- With a lien: $55
- Document fee: 4.25% of the sale price or current NADA trade-in value; whichever is greater
- Vehicle registration fee (passenger vehicles) $40 for 1 year
- Late fee (if the vehicle title transfer doesn’t occur within 30 days of purchase: $35
- Vehicle title transfer fee for vehicles weighing 5,000 pounds or less:
Before you head to your local DE DMV office, make sure you have all applicable payments and documentation ready.
Title Transfer Requirements When Selling a Car
If you sell your vehicle, in Delaware, you are required to complete the “Assignment of Certificate of Title” (section 1) on the reverse side of the vehicle title to correctly complete the vehicle title transfer:
- If the ownership of the vehicle is recorded as “and” on the front of the title. Both the seller and the buyer of the vehicle must complete this section.
- If the ownership of the vehicle is listed as “and/or,” only 1 seller is required to complete this section of the vehicle title.
- You are not required to complete the “odometer disclosure” section of the vehicle title if the vehicle is:
- 10 years old or older
- Weighs more than 16,000 pounds (gross weight) and is used for commercial purposes
- Does not have a motor
If applicable, remove the “seller’s report of sale” from the bottom portion of the vehicle title and provide the completed vehicle title certificate to the buyer. In some situations, the buyer may request you accompany them to a DE DMV office to complete the vehicle title transfer to avoid possible errors, mishaps, and delays.
Once you complete the “seller’s report of sale” on the back of the vehicle registration card, submit it to your local DE DMV.
Make sure the “seller’s report of sale includes the following:
- Sale date and time
- Your signature
- Buyer’s name
- Buyer’s address
- Purchase price of the vehicle
Make sure you follow the above-listed steps to ensure you transfer the vehicle’s title correctly and avoid penalties and delays.
How to Transfer a Car Title When the Owner is Deceased
A vehicle title transfer is necessary once the owner is deceased to change ownership. The vehicle title transfer is also required for beneficiaries to keep the vehicle, gift it to a family member, or sell the vehicle to someone else.
Who is Responsible for Transferring a Car Title of a Deceased Person?
Only the beneficiary, joint-owner, or surviving spouse have the legal obligation and authority to transfer the vehicle’s title to someone else after the owner has passed away. The way you transfer the vehicle’s title depends on whether the vehicle is part of a probated estate.
Is the Vehicle Part of a Probated Estate?
Once the vehicle owner passes away, the vehicle title transfer process depends on whether the vehicle title was in the individual’s name as a descendant or whether it was joint ownership. If the vehicle’s title was solely in the decedent’s name, the probate status needs to be determined.
Probate is the legal process that involves administering the estate of the deceased individual. Probate occurs when there is no living spouse or beneficiary listed on the will. Probates are necessary for checking out the deceased person’s property and assets and proves the last will and testament are legitimate.
Now the Probate Court will determine how to proceed with the deceased individual’s belongings. During the probate process, the deceased person’s property is distributed based on their will.
If the vehicle is part of a probated estate, you need to follow these steps to transfer the vehicle title of a deceased individual:
Initiate Contact with Probate Court and Attorney
A vehicle’s title can’t be transferred until the probate is completed. Because of this fact, the administrator or executor of the deceased individual needs to contact Probate Court or attorney as soon as possible and await further instructions. Once the probate process is complete, the heir will receive the vehicle, or the executor can decide to sell it if they want.
Gather the Required Documents to Transfer the Car Title of a Deceased Individual
You need to have the following documentation to transfer a vehicle title in Delaware after the owner of the vehicle passes away:
- Certificate of title
- Odometer disclosure statement
- Order from Probate Court to transfer the vehicle
- Transfer fee
- Death certificate
Visit the Title Office
As the beneficiary or administrator of the deceased individual’s estate, you can visit the Delaware title office with the above-stated documents to start the vehicle title transfer process.
How to Transfer a Car Title Without Probate
The deceased individual’s property can’t exceed a certain amount, and it has to be a specific amount of time since the individual passed away before the vehicle’s title transfer can be initiated.
Administrators, spouses, beneficiaries, and joint owners of the deceased individual’s estate may only require a death certificate and the title of the vehicle to your DE title office, and they will retitle the vehicle for you. No attorney or court order is required.
Transferring a Title After a Lease Buyout
The great news is you can transfer a title after a lease buyout.
Paying Off a Loan (Removing a Lien)
Once you pay off your car loan, the lien holder will release the lien on the front of the title, then mail it to you. You can remove the lien holder’s name from the title by providing the following items to a local Delaware, DMV branch office:
- Vehicle title
- Payment of $35 (if there is a lien: $55)
How to Transfer Ownership of a Car Without a Title in Delaware?
You can’t transfer ownership of a vehicle without a title in Delaware. You can request a duplicate title in person at your local Delaware DMV or by mail. If you have lost or damaged your vehicle title, or the title was stolen, you need to complete an Application for Duplicate Title (Form MV213). To request a duplicate vehicle title in Delaware in person at your local DE DMV office, you need to follow these steps:
- Each vehicle owner needs to sign the form
- Each vehicle owner needs to list their license number
- The vehicle owner needs to go to their local DE DMV or get a power of attorney if there is only one vehicle owner
- Provide the vehicle’s VIN
- Include an odometer statement
- Provide proof of a valid ID
- Pay the title application fee ($50 for a duplicate title and $55 for a duplicate title with a lien holder)
Delaware title replacement requests are processed on location if both parties are present. If you plan on getting a duplicate vehicle title without the other party, you will need a power of attorney.
Replacing or Receiving a Duplicate Title by Mail
You can also receive your duplicate vehicle title by mail. To process a duplicate vehicle title in Delaware, you will need to:
- Complete the above-stated paperwork
- Include a check or money order for all applicable payments
- Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope
- Include a copy of your valid driver’s license
Mail these documents to:
State of Delaware
Division of Motor Vehicles
PO Box 698
Dover, DE 19903
Allow one to two weeks for your duplicate vehicle title to arrive in the mail.
Can I Gift a Car to a Family Member?
Yes! You can gift a car to a family member. The process for gifting your vehicle in Delaware is similar to buying a vehicle in Delaware. Keep in mind, if you are inheriting a vehicle, you need to bring the vehicle’s title, the original County Register of Wills Office document, and payment for all applicable fees to your local Delaware DMV office.
There are different steps you need to take before you head to your local DE DMV office. It’s important to follow these steps:
- Complete the Purchaser’s Application located on the back of the title. Make sure you include your driver’s license number and your birthdate.
- Sign the Assignment of Certificate Title located on the back of the vehicle’s title. The seller of the vehicle also needs to complete this section of the paperwork.
When you complete the required sections on the back of the vehicle’s title, you can visit your local DE DMV office and bring the following items:
- A completed vehicle title
- A valid DE auto insurance policy
- Valid state-issued driver’s license (two legal documents that prove your Delaware residency can be used instead of your state-issued driver’s license).
- Payment for all applicable fees, including:
- $40 vehicle registration
- $35 vehicle title transfer fee ($55 if there is a lien on the vehicle)
- 4.25% of the sales price or trade-in value to cover the document fee
Make sure you notify the state of Delaware within 30 days of the purchase of your vehicle. Failure to notify the state will result in an additional $25 fee. Not completing the sections provided on the back of the vehicle title will delay the title transfer process, and may result in additional fees.
Transferring a Vehicle Title When You Have an Out-of-State Title
When you move to Delaware from a different state, your vehicle will have an out-of-state title. There are a few things you need to do to successfully transfer an out-of-state vehicle title:
- Complete the vehicle purchase out-of-state
- Bring the old vehicle title, proof of a valid DE auto insurance policy, and the bill of sale to your local DMV office to receive a temporary 5-day tag.
- Take the vehicle to a Delaware inspection center
- Once you receive the inspection certificate, take your documents to your local Delaware DMV office to receive a new title and registration
Requesting a Duplicate Vehicle Title
If something happens to your vehicle’s title, you can request a duplicate vehicle title by applying in person or by mail at your local Delaware DMV office. Replacing a DE vehicle title requires different documents and payments. Here are the documents you need to request a duplicate vehicle title:
- An Application for Duplicate Title (Form MV 213) All vehicle owners must sign the title.
- If you and another person co-own the vehicle, you both are required to sign the vehicle title.
- All vehicle owners need to provide their driver’s license number on the form
- All owners of the vehicle can go to a DE DMV together or get a power of attorney
- Payment for the Delaware duplicate vehicle title fee of $50
- If there is a lien on your vehicle, the lien holder is required to complete part of the application. The application fee for a vehicle with a lien is $55.
- An odometer disclosure statement
- Tag number and expiration date
- The vehicle’s VIN
There are two ways you can apply for a duplicate vehicle title in Delaware. You can apply for a vehicle title in person at your local DE DMV or by mail. If you are mailing the vehicle title application, make sure you include a photocopy of your valid driver’s license and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Mail the envelope to:
State of Delaware
Division of Motor Vehicles
PO Box 698
Dover, DE 19903
How Much Does a Title Transfer Cost in Delaware?
If you have a loan on a new vehicle, the title cost is $55. If there is no lien on the vehicle, the title cost is $35. There is a 4.25% tax on the purchase price or NADA trade in value, whichever is greater, for each sale. Delaware registration and plates cost $40.
Where Can I Go to Transfer a Vehicle Title in Delaware?
There are different locations in Delaware where you can transfer your vehicle’s title.
Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles – Dover Office
303 Transportation Cir
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 744 – 2500
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday – (8 AM – 4:30 PM)
Wednesday (12 PM – 8PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)
Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles – Georgetown Office
23737 Dupont Blvd
Georgetown, DE 19947
(302) 853 – 1000
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday – (8 AM – 4:30 PM)
Wednesday (12 PM – 8PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)
Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles – New Castle Office
2101 Mid County Dr
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 326 – 5000
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday (8 AM – 4:30 PM)
Wednesday (11 AM – 7 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (closed)
Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles – New Castle Office
2230 Hessler Blvd
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 434 – 3200
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (8 AM – 4:30 PM)
Wednesday (12 PM – 8 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (closed)
How to Fill Out the Delaware Vehicle Title and Vehicle Title Transfer Forms in Delaware
In addition to completing the Delaware vehicle title transfer forms, you are also required to complete the Seller’s Report of Sale that is located on your current registration card. The Seller’s Report needs to include the price, date, time of the sale, and the buyer’s name and address. The new information provided on the Seller’s Report will be added to your new vehicle title by the DE DMV.
My Car Title Was Signed But Never Transferred. What Do I Do?
A vehicle’s title can be signed, but never transferred. If the vehicle’s title is signed, but never transferred, the seller didn’t transfer ownership of the vehicle in their name. A vehicle title that has not been transferred is considered an open title. With an open title, the seller of the vehicle is free from being legally responsible for the vehicle.
If the buyer has lost the title to transfer the vehicle title, the vehicle will remain temporarily open. The solution for this problem is to request a duplicate vehicle title. The vehicle’s seller or the person whose name is listed on the vehicle title is responsible for requesting a duplicate Delaware vehicle title and signing it over to the buyer to put in their name.