Vehicles Purchased from Out of State

Step 1:

• All seven-model year or newer vehicles that are purchased out-of-state must have their vehicle identification number verified
• Present your vehicle at any DMV recheck inspection lane. New car dealers are authorized to perform this verification on new vehicles and must provide you with the Application for Title (MV212)
• All other vehicles are required to be inspected at any DMV Inspection Lane before a Delaware title can be issued

Step 2:

• At the Inspection Lane, you will be given an application for a Delaware title. Along with your Application for title, you will need to provide the following documents: the Certificate of Origin or the existing title with an Odometer Disclosure, the bill of sale if purchased from a dealer, proof of valid Delaware liability insurance, and your Delaware driver's license or other accepted proof of residency
• The signatures of all owners must appear on the Delaware application and the existing title or certificate of origin
• Please check to see if the state in which you purchased the vehicle also requires title related documents to be notarized

Step 3:

• Fees for titling most passenger vehicles weighing five thousand pounds (5,000 lbs.) or less are: () for a title without a lien or () for a title with a lien; Plus
• A () document fee based on the sale price or current NADA  average trade-in value of the vehicle, whichever is higher; Plus
• The N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guide for older models is only to be used in the following instances:
  • If a vehicle, which has been titled in another state, is being titled in Delaware and there has been no sales tax or similar titling tax paid on the vehicle in the other state within the last 90 days, use the current N.A.D.A Official Used Car Guide OR the N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guide for OLDER Vehicles (whichever guide the vehicle is listed in) to determine the current average trade in value and assess the vehicle document fee.
  • 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.
  • However, the owner may elect to obtain an appraisal from a licensed Delaware dealer, and such appraisal may also be considered in determining the vehicle document fee.
  And
• Passenger vehicle registrations of () per year
• Trailer and commercial vehicle registration fees are based on weight

If the out-of-state registration has expired, the Division will issue a 5-day temporary tag to allow you to drive the vehicle to Delaware. The tag is available at any DMV office for a fee of . You must provide valid proof of Delaware liability insurance, bill of sale or vehicle title, vehicle identification number, and vehicle make and year. Please refer to Registration Fee Chart for more information.