Delaware car bill of sale Do you need one? And what else does Delaware require?

Do you need a separate bill of sale?

Give one — it backs the price for the fee

The buyer's document fee is based on the sale price or the NADA average trade-in value, whichever is higher. If no bill of sale is presented and the reverse of the Delaware title does not show the purchase price, the document fee is based on the current average trade-in value in the NADA guide. The DMV accepts the price written on the title, but state law says the purchase price shall be evidenced by a notarized bill of sale. Write the price on the title and give the buyer a bill of sale.

Source: Delaware DMV, Vehicle Services — titling; 30 Del. C. § 3002(b)

Does the title need a notary or witnesses?

Neither

Complete the Assignment of Certificate of Title on the back of the title with the buyer's name and address, the date of sale, the purchase price and the odometer disclosure. The conjunction on the FRONT of the title decides who signs: where ownership reads “OR”, one seller signs and prints in section 1; where it reads “AND”, all sellers must sign and print. No notary.

Source: Delaware DMV, Tips for Privately Selling a Delaware Titled Vehicle, checked Oct 12 2026

What happens to the plates?

Off — and returned to any DMV office

The license plate must be removed from the vehicle and turned in or mailed to any DMV office. Delaware states this for the out-of-state sale and applies the same procedure where an in-state seller cannot accompany the buyer to the DMV. To keep the plate instead, bring the title to the DMV before the sale. The fee to retain the plate is $35.

Source: Delaware DMV, Tips for Privately Selling a Delaware Titled Vehicle, step 3; Retaining a Delaware License Plate

Do you have to tell the state you sold it?

Yes — and it tears off the title

Delaware's report of sale is built into the document you already have: all new titles carry a DETACHABLE report of sale at the bottom. Complete that, or the back of the registration card, and send it to the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Services Help Desk, PO Box 698, Dover DE 19903, or email it to [email protected]. Include the buyer's name and address, the date AND HOUR of the sale, and your signature.

Source: Delaware DMV, Tips for Privately Selling a Delaware Titled Vehicle, step 2

Where does the odometer reading go?

In writing, signed and printed

Delaware follows the federal rule closely: on transfer of ownership each transferor discloses the mileage to the transferee in writing, on the title or on the document being used to reassign it, and that written disclosure must be signed by the transferor with their printed name alongside. Reporting the mileage is encouraged but not required for a model year 2010 or older vehicle, a commercial vehicle over 16,000 pounds, or a vehicle that is not motorized.

Source: Delaware DMV, Vehicle Services — titling; 49 CFR 580.5(c)

The forms Delaware publishes

• Seller's Report of Sale — Detach it from the bottom of the title. Post to Vehicle Services Help Desk, Dover. Where: attached to the Delaware title. Revision: title stub not published; standalone Report of Sale form Revised 8/28/24.

Selling here, registering somewhere else

These are the rules where you are selling, not where the buyer is taking it. The title is signed under Delaware’s rules, and the plate and the notice are yours to handle here.

Registering it and paying tax falls under the buyer’s own state’s rules.

How Delaware compares

Counted from the same answers, for all fifty states.

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