How to fill out the MV212 in Delaware
A field-by-field walkthrough of the Delaware MV212 (Application for Title) for licensed used car dealers — what goes in every section, who signs what, and the documents you attach. Verified against the official form as of September 2026.
Filing these every week? DealerVLO builds the MV212 worksheet from the deal you already entered, $29/month flat. See pricing
Filling out the DE MV212 after a sale:
- What it is
- Delaware's title application for out-of-state titles, MSOs, and titles reassigned out of state — records the document fee
- Who completes it
- The dealer prepares it on a dealer sale; every applicant on the MSO/title signs
- Where to file it
- Delaware DMV — dealer title work goes to the Dover DMV dealer office or through DMV eSubmission
- Processing time
- Dealer files within 30 days of delivery; the DMV allows itself 30 days to process a dealer folder
- Cost
- 5.25% document fee + $35 title fee ($55 with a lien) + $40/year passenger registration
This guide is informational and does not replace the official Delaware instructions. Always confirm the current form and procedure with Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) before you file.
See the DE MV212 filled — from just a VIN
Enter a VIN, the buyer's name, and the price. We decode the vehicle and drop it onto a worksheet for the Delaware MV212 — the same fill DealerVLO produces from a deal. Watermarked preview; nothing is saved.
What the MV212 is and why it matters
Form MV212 is Delaware's Application for Title. The DMV requires it when titling a vehicle that comes in on an out-of-state title, a manufacturer's certificate of origin (MSO), or a Delaware title reassigned out of state. A straight in-state transfer on a Delaware title doesn't need an MV212 — the dealer completes the applicant and document-fee blocks on the back of the Delaware title instead.
Delaware has no sales tax. What it charges at titling is a document fee — 5.25% of the purchase price since October 1, 2025 (it was 4.25% before) — and it's recorded in the Document Fee Recording Form block on this application. The fee is figured on the price after a trade-in, but only one trade counts and it has to be a Delaware-titled vehicle in the buyer's name. This guide walks the current (09/2022) form block by block.
The printed form is headed "Application for Title, Form No. 212" — the DMV lists it as MV212. It covers the title and the registration details (tag, NAIC insurance code, fees) in one application. On a dealer sale, Delaware law gives the dealer 30 days from delivery to transmit the title application to the DMV — or 10 days to hand the paperwork to the buyer, who then has the same 30 days to file. A Delaware dealer can't issue a temporary tag to a Delaware resident unless the dealership is processing the title work.
Documents to have before you start
Gather these before you complete the MV212. A missing attachment is the number-one reason the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) bounces a title application back.
- The assigned out-of-state title or MSO — Original title documents are required. The lienholder on the MV212 must match the MSO/title exactly.
- Dealer's bill of sale — Required with dealer title work (21 Del. C. § 6305): price, deposit, any Delaware-titled trade and its credit, and each fee listed separately.
- Applicant identification — Driver license (or ID) number and date of birth for each applicant; an out-of-state license needs its issuing state and a copy.
- Delaware insurance information — The insurer's NAIC code goes on the application.
- Power of attorney (MV386), if someone signs for the buyer — Original, signed, and notarized, with a copy of photo ID. Signatures read "John Smith by [POA name] POA."
- Trade-in title information — Year, make, and Delaware title/tag/registration number of the one trade being credited.
MV212, section by section
Lease question and applicant information
Start with whether the vehicle is a lease — if yes, the leasing company's name goes on that line and the title will read "Leasing Company c/o" the individual or entity on the Name line. Then the applicant's full legal name, the residential address (it must be a Delaware address), the mailing address if different (a P.O. box or out-of-state address is allowed only here), phone numbers, and email. A business applicant must be registered and in good standing with the Delaware Division of Corporations and hold a current Delaware business license.
| Field | Who fills it |
|---|---|
Is the vehicle a lease? + leasing company name / C/O Leased vehicles only. | You (dealer) |
Name Full legal name; must match on every document. | Buyer |
Address (Delaware residence) Must be a Delaware address. | Buyer |
Mailing address Only if different; P.O. box allowed here. | Buyer |
Home phone, cell phone, email address | Buyer |
Description of vehicle
The vehicle details must match the signed title or MSO. Enter the odometer reading and mark whether it's actual, not actual, exceeds mechanical limits, or exempt/not required — writing a reading without a box certifies it's the actual mileage. Record any title brand, fuel type, make, year, model, body style, VIN, and colors. The weight fields (registration weight, MGVWR, tare weight), axles, Federal DOT number, and trailer brakes matter mainly for trucks and trailers; a Federal DOT number is required only for certain vehicles registered at 10,001 to 80,000 lbs used commercially.
| Field | Who fills it |
|---|---|
Odometer reading + actual / not actual / exceeds / exempt Must match the title's odometer disclosure. | You (dealer) |
Title brand, type of fuel | You (dealer) |
Make, year, model, body style | You (dealer) |
Vehicle identification number Must match the title/MSO and the vehicle. | You (dealer) |
Color(s) | You (dealer) |
Registration weight, MGVWR, tare weight, axles Registration weight can't exceed MGVWR or be lower than tare. | You (dealer) |
Federal DOT# / brakes (trailers only) Only where it applies. | You (dealer) |
Inspection and registration details
The middle block ties the title to a registration. "Examined By" is signed by a DMV Motor Vehicle Associate or an approved self-inspect technician with the date. The rest records the plate side: tag number and whether an existing tag is retained, the yearly fee, number of months, expiration date, any special plate number and tag background, the combination-vehicle and passenger-seat questions, and the NAIC code of the buyer's insurance company.
| Field | Who fills it |
|---|---|
Examined By (Motor Vehicle Associate / Self-Inspect Technician) + date | At the counter |
Tag number + retained tag yes/no | You (dealer) |
Yearly fee, no. of months, expiration date | You (dealer) |
Special plate no., tag background Only for a special or transferred plate. | You (dealer) |
Combination vehicle, passenger van seats (8+), passengers (buses) Only where it applies. | You (dealer) |
NAIC code The buyer's Delaware insurer's NAIC code, from the insurance card. | You (dealer) |
Liens or encumbrances and applicant signatures
Enter the secured party (lienholder) name and address exactly as it appears on the MSO or title. If there's no lien, write "none" and initial it. The applicant (or a company officer, with official title) and any co-applicant then certify under penalty of perjury that all liens are accurately stated, and add driver license number (with state if not Delaware) and date of birth. Every applicant listed on the MSO/title has to sign; a parent or guardian consents for an applicant under 18.
| Field | Who fills it |
|---|---|
Secured party named (lienholder name and address) Must match the MSO/title exactly; "none" + initials if no lien. | You (dealer) |
Signature of applicant and/or officer + officer title | Buyer |
Signature of co-applicant | Buyer |
Driver license no. and state (if not DE) + DOB For each applicant. | Buyer |
Parent or guardian's consent Only if an applicant is under 18. | Buyer |
Document Fee Recording Form and trade-in information
This is where the money goes. Enter the total vehicle price, less the trade-in value, for the net cost — then the document fee on that net, followed by the registration, vanity, retention, title, lien, and other fees and the total due. The document fee is 5.25% of the purchase price — officially $5.25 for each $100 or fraction of $100 — with minimums of $8 (under $400) and $13.75 ($400-$500). Trade-in credit applies to only one vehicle, and it must be Delaware-titled in the applicant's name — record it in the Trade-In Information block with year, make, title/tag/registration number, and state. The DMV's Dealership Manual says manufacturer rebates are not deducted from the total price, though its dealer FAQ mentions manufacturer credits, so confirm rebate handling with Dealer Services. A dealer's own administrative fee is not the state document fee; itemize it separately on the paperwork.
| Field | Who fills it |
|---|---|
Total vehicle price Match the dealer's bill of sale. | You (dealer) |
Less trade-in value One Delaware-titled vehicle in the applicant's name only. | You (dealer) |
Net cost Total price − trade-in value. | You (dealer) |
Document fee 5.25% of the net cost, charged per $100 or fraction of $100. | You (dealer) |
Registration, vanity, retention, title, lien, other fees | You (dealer) |
Total amount due | You (dealer) |
Trade-in: year, make, title/tag/registration no., state, description | You (dealer) |
DE Document fee & title fee calculator
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Delaware has no sales tax. The document fee is 5.25% of the purchase price after one Delaware-titled trade-in in the buyer's name (effective October 1, 2025; previously 4.25%), charged as $5.25 per $100 or fraction of $100, so the real fee can land slightly above a straight 5.25% — minimum $8, or $13.75 for a $400-$500 price. The DMV's fee page describes the base as the sale price or the NADA average trade-in value, whichever is higher. Title fee is $35 without a lien or $55 with one. Passenger registration is $40 per year — enter the registration total as the plate fee. Confirm current figures with Delaware DMV Dealer Services.
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Selling dealer block (VIN verification for new vehicles)
The bottom block identifies the selling dealer — name, dealer number, address, and a printed and signed name with official title. Per the form, a dealer with an approved MOU on file can use this block to verify the VIN on a new vehicle sold on an MSO; if it isn't completed, the new vehicle needs VIN verification at a Delaware DMV inspection lane. The DMV Use Only lines below it (business license, NMVTIS check, Division of Corporations, associate initials) are left blank.
| Field | Who fills it |
|---|---|
Selling dealer's name + dealer number | You (dealer) |
Address | You (dealer) |
By: print name, sign name, official title | You (dealer) |
DMV use only (business license, NMVTIS, associate initials) | At the counter |
The MV212 is one car's paperwork. A 20-second read on your lot, and the tax-and-fee math for the whole deal — built for dealers, no signup. Free calculators dealers actually use — no signup, no email.
DealerVLO turns your deal into a print-ready Delaware MV212 worksheet — VIN-decoded vehicle, buyer, co-buyer, and sale price laid out and ready to key in or copy over. $29/month, free to try — cancel any time.
Common MV212 mistakes that cause rejections
Delaware's document-fee trade-in credit applies to one vehicle only, and it has to be Delaware-titled in the applicant's name. An out-of-state-titled trade, a second trade, or a trade titled to someone else doesn't reduce the fee. The DMV's Dealership Manual also says manufacturer rebates aren't deducted; confirm with Dealer Services if a deal has one.
The document fee went from 4.25% to 5.25% on October 1, 2025 (House Bill 164). Deal software or worksheets that weren't updated undercollect by one percentage point of the price — about $200 on a $20,000 car.
The state document fee and the dealer's own administrative or service charge are different things. The DMV wants state fees itemized as the document fee and dealer charges listed separately as administrative fees or service charges.
The lienholder name and address on the MV212 must be exactly the same as on the MSO or title. If there's no lien, write "none" and initial it — the DMV wants the lien block filled either way, not left blank.
A dealer must transmit the title application within 30 days of delivery (or hand the paperwork to the buyer within 10 days). Repeated late filings can lead to a temporary dealer-license suspension, and a buyer who applies after 30 days pays a $35 late title transfer fee.
Common questions
What form do I use to title a car in Delaware?+
Form MV212, the Application for Title, from the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles — when the vehicle comes in on an out-of-state title, an MSO, or a Delaware title reassigned out of state. An in-state transfer on a Delaware title uses the back of the Delaware title instead of an MV212.
Where do I get Delaware Form MV212?+
The Delaware DMV publishes MV212 free as a PDF on its Forms and Manuals page. The current printed version is dated 09/2022. The download button at the top of this guide links straight to the official file.
Does Delaware charge sales tax on cars?+
No. Delaware has no sales tax. Instead it charges a vehicle document fee at titling — 5.25% of the purchase price since October 1, 2025, with an $8 minimum.
How much is the Delaware document fee on a car?+
5.25% of the purchase price ($5.25 per $100 or fraction of $100) as of October 1, 2025 (it was 4.25% before). The minimum is $8 for a price under $400 and $13.75 for $400 to $500. The DMV says the base is the sale price or the NADA average trade-in value, whichever is higher.
Does a trade-in lower the Delaware document fee?+
Yes, for one vehicle. The trade-in value is subtracted before the fee is figured, but only one trade counts per application and it must be a Delaware-titled vehicle in the applicant's name. The DMV's Dealership Manual says manufacturer rebates are not deducted; confirm with DMV Dealer Services.
How much is a Delaware title?+
$35 for a title without a lien and $55 with a lien. Passenger vehicle registration is $40 per year on top, plus the 5.25% document fee.
How long does a Delaware dealer have to submit title work?+
30 days from delivery to transmit the title application and fees to the DMV. Alternatively, the dealer can give the paperwork to the buyer within 10 days, and the buyer must file within 30 days of delivery. A buyer who files late pays a $35 late title transfer fee.
Is there software that fills out the MV212 automatically?+
Yes. Dealer management software like DealerVLO turns the deal you already entered into a print-ready Delaware MV212 worksheet — the VIN-decoded vehicle, buyer, co-buyer, lienholder, and sale price laid out and ready to copy onto the form or key into the state's system. It's $29/month flat with a 14-day free trial, and the same deal also generates your federal documents (Bill of Sale, FTC Buyers Guide, odometer disclosure) and any other state's title forms.
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