Delaware Bill of Sale — Free Template & Generator
Delaware charges a 5.25% document fee on a private sale, based on “the sale price or current NADA average trade-in value of the vehicle, whichever is higher.” The price has to be written down somewhere: if there is no bill of sale and the back of the title does not show the price, the DMV bases the fee on the NADA value. No notary is needed — “Delaware titles do not require notary.”
- Free
- No signup
- Word & PDF
- Delaware pre-selected
How it works
- 01 Delaware is already selected
The governing-law clause names the state; change it only if the sale happens elsewhere.
- 02 Enter the item and the parties
Vehicle, boat or general item — VIN and odometer, or HIN — plus price, payment method, seller and buyer.
- 03 Review clause by clause
The as-is terms, the seller’s title warranty and, for vehicles, the federal odometer statement.
- 04 Download, then file Delaware’s paperwork
Word & PDF on your device; the state steps and forms are listed below, each cited to the source.
What Delaware actually requires
Delaware rules for a private sale
Last verified September 30, 2026- Seller’s assignment Buyer, date, price and odometer on the title
For two Delaware residents, “the seller must complete the Assignment of Certificate of Title section on the back of the title (Section 1). Be sure to include the buyer’s name and address, date of sale, purchase price, and Odometer Disclosure.” If ownership reads “AND”, all sellers sign; if “AND/OR”, one owner is enough. The buyers sign that section too.
Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles — Vehicle Services, Titling (title transfer)
- Seller’s Report of Sale Date and hour of the sale
“The seller must complete the Seller’s Report of Sale and forward it to the Division of Motor Vehicles. Include the buyer’s name and address, date and hour of the sale and the seller’s signature.” It is at the bottom of the newer Delaware titles.
Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles — Vehicle Services, Titling
- Document fee 5.25% of the price or NADA value, whichever is higher
A five and one-quarter percent document fee is charged “based on the sale price or current NADA average trade-in value of the vehicle, whichever is higher.” And “If a Delaware title is being presented for transfer and the applicant has no Bill of Sale or the reverse side of the Delaware title does not indicate the purchase price, the document fee is to be based on the current average trade-in value as listed in the current N.A.D.A Guide.”
Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles — Vehicle Services, Titling
- Buyer’s deadline 30 days; no driving until retitled
“Failure to transfer a title within 30 days of purchase will result in a late fee.” The buyer needs proof of liability insurance and a Delaware driver’s license or two accepted proofs of residency, and “The vehicle may not be operated until a new title is issued in the buyer’s name.” “Delaware titles do not require notary.”
Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles — Vehicle Services, Titling
How this document fits Delaware’s paperwork
Official form: Delaware transfers through the title: the seller completes the Assignment of Certificate of Title (Section 1), including the buyer’s name and address, date of sale, purchase price and odometer disclosure, and files the Seller’s Report of Sale. A bill of sale is the document the DMV falls back on for the price when the title does not show it.
Put the same price on the title’s Section 1 and on the bill of sale. The 5.25% document fee is charged on that price or the NADA average trade-in value, whichever is higher, and without either document showing the price the DMV uses the NADA figure. Record the time of the handover on the bill of sale as well: the Seller’s Report of Sale asks for the date and hour. The buyer then has 30 days to retitle, and cannot drive the vehicle until the new title is issued.
FAQ
Delaware bill of sale questions
- Is a bill of sale required in Delaware?
- Not if the back of the title shows the purchase price; the title’s Section 1 carries the buyer, date, price and odometer. But if there is no bill of sale and the title does not show the price, the DMV bases the 5.25% document fee on the NADA average trade-in value instead.
- How much is the Delaware document fee on a used car?
- Five and one-quarter percent of the sale price or the current NADA average trade-in value, whichever is higher.
- Does a Delaware title or bill of sale need to be notarized?
- No. The DMV says Delaware titles do not require a notary.
- What does the seller file after a sale in Delaware?
- The Seller’s Report of Sale, forwarded to the DMV with the buyer’s name and address, the date and hour of the sale and the seller’s signature. It is at the bottom of the newer Delaware titles.
- Can I drive a car I just bought privately in Delaware?
- Not yet. The DMV says the vehicle may not be operated until a new title is issued in the buyer’s name. The buyer has 30 days to transfer the title before a late fee applies.
- Is this legal advice?
- No. Free Contract Generator provides self-help templates and general information, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Vehicle-transfer rules are set by each state and change; confirm the current rule with the agency cited and consult a licensed attorney for advice about your situation.