Delaware Bill of Sale Form

A Delaware bill of sale for a vehicle is a written record of a private sale between two owners. It names the buyer, the seller, the vehicle, the purchase price, and the sale date, and it gives both sides a receipt of the transaction. Delaware titles do not require notary certification, so the document does not need to be notarized to be valid, though many people still have it signed in front of a notary for extra proof.[1]

Delaware’s official Vehicle Transfer Notification form is what the buyer files with the DMV after the sale, separate from the bill of sale itself. Boat, firearm, and general private-sale transactions each use their own Delaware bill of sale template, organized by type.

Delaware motor vehicle bill of sale form

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Document Details

Document Name Delaware Vehicle Bill of Sale Form
Other Names Delaware Car Bill of Sale, Delaware Automobile Bill of Sale
DMV Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles
Vehicle Registration Fee $40 to $80
Bill of Sale Required? No
Avg. Time to Fill Out 7 minutes
# of Fillable Fields 17

Delaware Bill of Sale Forms by Type

You will find different types of bill of sale forms to be used in the state of Delaware. These forms contain specific details related to the personal property being sold. These forms typically include the buyer’s and seller’s contact information, the purchase price, and signatures. Depending on the transaction, the bill of sale document may need to be notarized to authenticate the signatures.

Delaware motor vehicle bill of sale template

Delaware bill of sale for a vehicle is used during the private transaction of ownership transfer of a vehicle. It contains predefined fields to fill in, including the vehicle description, purchase price, and signature of the new owner. In practice, the buyer registers the car with the Delaware DMV soon after the purchase.

Alternative Name Car Bill of Sale
Seller’s Signature Required
Buyer’s Signature Optional
Notarization Optional
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Delaware boat bill of sale template

Delaware boat bill of sale form serves as a confirmation of a vessel transfer to another party. It is needed to prove the new ownership during the vessel registration. In practice, boats are registered with the state, and the fee depends on the size of the vessel.

Alternative Name Vessel Bill of Sale
Seller’s Signature Required
Buyer’s Signature Optional
Notarization Optional
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Delaware firearm bill of sale template

Delaware firearm bill of sale enables a buyer and seller to reach an agreement in writing regarding the transfer of ownership of a firearm. In practice, both parties keep a copy as their record of the transfer.

Alternative Name Gun Bill of Sale
Seller’s Signature Required
Buyer’s Signature Optional
Notarization Optional
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Delaware general bill of sale template

Use a general bill of sale document to prove the ownership transfer for different kinds of transactions in Delaware state. Provide as much information as possible to protect yourself from any ambiguities.

Alternative Name Generic Bill of Sale
Seller’s Signature Required
Buyer’s Signature Optional
Notarization Optional
Download PDF Template

Delaware Bill of Sale Laws and Requirements

Delaware ties a used vehicle sale to the title, not to a bill of sale. The seller must complete the assignment of certificate of title section on the back of the title to transfer it to the buyer,[1] and every listed owner’s signature is required to make that transfer valid.[2] A bill of sale is a useful private record of the sale, but it does not replace the title.

  • The buyer’s information is required on the title application, and all buyers named in the sale must sign it.[1]
  • The seller must complete the odometer section on the back of the title with the exact reading or, where the law allows it, a statement that the actual mileage is unknown. A reading known to differ from the vehicle’s true mileage may never be listed as its actual mileage.[2]
  • Any lien shown on the title must have been released by the lienholder before the title can be transferred.[2]

The Delaware DMV tells buyers to insist on a properly signed title at delivery and not to accept a bill of sale or a registration card in place of it.[2] Keep a signed bill of sale for your own records, but treat the title as the document that actually proves ownership.

Last Updated: September 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current Delaware law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.

How to Write a Delaware Vehicle Bill of Sale

Delaware’s official form for this purpose is the Vehicle Transfer Notification with Buyer Information, which reports the change of ownership to the DMV. Keeping a personal bill of sale alongside it gives both the buyer and the seller their own record of the sale.

A Delaware bill of sale does not need complex language or legal jargon. Include every required detail, keep more than one signed copy, and follow the steps below to fill it out.

  1. Identify the seller. Give the seller’s full legal name.
    Step 1 to filling out a delaware motor vehicle bill of sale seller
  2. Identify the buyer. Give the buyer’s full legal name, address, city, state, and ZIP code.
    Step 3 to filling out a delaware motor vehicle bill of sale buyer
  3. Describe the vehicle. Enter the make, model, year, VIN, license plate number, and odometer reading.
    Step 2 to filling out a delaware motor vehicle bill of sale vehicle details
  4. Enter the sale date. Fill in the month, day, and year of the sale.
    Step 4 to filling out a delaware motor vehicle bill of sale sale date
  5. Enter the purchase price and payment method. State the price paid, when payment is due, and how the buyer is paying, whether by cash, check, or financing.
    Step 5 to filling out a delaware motor vehicle bill of sale selling price
  6. Sign the bill of sale. Both the buyer and the seller sign and date the document.
    Step 6 to filling out a delaware motor vehicle bill of sale signature
  7. Add a witness or notary signature for extra proof. The form provides a witness line and a notary acknowledgment section on its last page. Delaware does not require notarization,[1] though using either can help if a question comes up later.
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Registering a Motor Vehicle in Delaware

Delaware gives a buyer a window to register a newly purchased vehicle at the local DMV. A private sale allows 30 days to register, and a dealer sale is normally handled by the dealership at the time of sale. A new resident bringing a vehicle into the state has 60 days to register from the time the address is confirmed. Registration can be completed online through Delaware’s DMV portal or in person by the vehicle’s owner.

Before starting the registration process, a Delaware resident gathers the documents needed for the local DMV office. The documents depend on where the vehicle was purchased. A dealer typically submits most of the paperwork on the buyer’s behalf. For a private-party purchase, the buyer instead brings proof of payment, an active Delaware auto insurance policy, a valid Delaware driver’s license, and the title signed over by the seller.

In practice, Delaware residents make sure their auto insurance policy is licensed to operate in the state before registering. They also complete a vehicle inspection and obtain the certificate of title.

Below is the list of documents needed to register a vehicle in Delaware:

  • Vehicle bill of sale
  • Certificate of title
  • A valid driver’s license
  • Odometer disclosure statement
  • Emission test
  • Motor vehicle power of attorney (in case the registration is not done by the owner)
  • Proper payment for registration fees
  • Proper proof of insurance
  • Vehicle transfer notification
  • Report of sale
  • Proper identification
  • Vehicle inspection report

Registration fees depend on the vehicle’s model year, weight, and registration term, and separate fees apply for the title application, a lien on the title, and duplicate license plates. Check Delaware’s DMV site for the current fee schedule before you go.

Relevant Official Forms

(Vehicle) Transfer Notification
(Vehicle) Form MV386
(Vehicle) Form MV212
(Vehicle) Form MV195
(Boat) Registration Application
(Boat) Form DOC. NO. 40-05-82-05-03
(Firearm) Application for License to Carry a Concealed Deadly Weapon

Vehicle transfer notification with buyer information is submitted after a purchase to update the vehicle record.

(Vehicle) Transfer Notification

Power of Attorney is a document to use if you need a person to represent you during vehicle related operations.

(Vehicle) Form MV386

Application for title form is required during vehicle registration.

(Vehicle) Form MV212

Certificate of repossession and sale is a document that makes the vehicle purchase lawful.

(Vehicle) Form MV195

Official vessel registration application form.

(Boat) Registration Application

Boat ramp certificate application for nonresidents.

(Boat) Form DOC. NO. 40-05-82-05-03

Application for a new license or renewal to carry a concealed weapon (CCDW) for residents.

(Firearm) Application for License to Carry a Concealed Deadly Weapon

Short Delaware Bill of Sale Video Guide

seal of delaware state

Other Delaware Forms

Does Delaware Require a Notarized Bill of Sale?

No. Delaware titles do not require notary certification, so a Delaware bill of sale does not need to be notarized to be valid.[1] Some buyers and sellers still choose to have it notarized for extra proof of the transaction, but the state does not make this a condition of a private vehicle sale.

General information, not legal or tax advice.

Sources

  1. Delaware DMV title transfer.
  2. Delaware DMV, Tips on Purchasing a Used Vehicle.
Published: Jul 19, 2022
Mara Erlach
Mara Erlach
Writer & Attorney
Mara has been practicing estate planning and trust law in California since 2003, taking pride in helping clients of all backgrounds and asset profiles form a complete and customized estate plan. Her specialties are: estate planning, wills and trusts, trust and probate administration.