Delaware Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Delaware costs $35 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $863 in total, with $788 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
Delaware title fees
These are the title-related fees in Delaware's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $35 |
|---|---|
| Late title penalty | $35 |
| Title with lien | $55 |
| Duplicate title | $50 |
| Late renewal | $20 |
- More than 30 days; waivable
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Delaware
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Delaware car tax calculator:
| Title | $35 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $788 |
| Registration (1 year) (if you register it now) | $40 |
| Estimated total | $863 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
Delaware charges a penalty if the title isn't transferred on time. Late penalties: late title penalty $35; late renewal $20.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Gift to immediate relative of a Delaware-titled vehicle | Title fee only |
|---|
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance | Document fee applies |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in Delaware
| Renewal | No document fee, no title |
|---|---|
| Trade-in of a Delaware-titled vehicle | Trade-in value is deducted from the purchase price (limitations apply) |
| Tax paid to another state | Credit allowed if the vehicle was titled/registered in that state within 90 days before Delaware registration |
| Delaware resident buying from an out-of-state dealer | No credit for taxes paid to the other state |
How Delaware works out what you owe
- Taxable = higher of price or NADA average trade-in, minus value of a Delaware-titled trade-in
- Document fee = taxable x 5.25% (rounded), or the minimum for low values
- Total = document fee + title + late penalty + registration + AFV surcharge + doc fee
What to bring
The title signed over by the seller (with the odometer reading), a bill of sale, proof of insurance and your ID. If the car still has a loan, the lender must release the lien first.
Official sources checked for Delaware: dmv.de.gov, news.delaware.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Delaware?
The title fee is $35. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $863.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Delaware?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, Delaware charges about $788. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
Is there a late fee for transferring a title in Delaware?
Yes. Late title penalty: $35; Late renewal: $20.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Delaware?
Gift to immediate relative of a Delaware-titled vehicle: Title fee only.
What happens to a car title after a death in Delaware?
Inheritance: Document fee applies.