Delaware
Checked against official sources on 2026-11-01. Each statement is tied to the statute or agency page listed under Sources.
Not legal or financial advice. Rules change. Confirm with the county before you bid.
- Sale type
- Tax sale by the sheriff (deed by court order if not redeemed)
Statute text
If the owner of the property or the owner's legal representatives fail to redeem the property as provided in this subchapter, the purchaser of the property or the purchaser's legal representatives, successors or assigns may present a petition to the Superior Court
- Interest / penalty
- Rate set by law: redemption pays the purchase price plus 15 percent in addition (§ 8729)Sales under § 8771 (Kent and Sussex): redemption pays the purchase money plus 20 percent interest
Statute text
may redeem the same at any time within 60 days from the day the sale thereof is approved by the Court, by paying to the purchaser or his or her legal representatives, successors or assigns, the amount of the purchase price and 15 percent in addition thereto, together with all costs incurred in the cause
Statute text
no deed shall be made until the expiration of 1 year from the time of sale, within which time the owner, the owner's heirs, executors or administrators may redeem the lands on payment to the tax collecting authority of the costs, the amount of the purchase money, and 20 percent interest thereon, and expenses of the deeds
- Redemption
- 60 days from the day the Court approves the sale (§ 8729)
Statute text
may redeem the same at any time within 60 days from the day the sale thereof is approved by the Court, by paying to the purchaser or his or her legal representatives, successors or assigns, the amount of the purchase price and 15 percent in addition thereto, together with all costs incurred in the cause
- Bid method
- Sheriff sells the property under a writ of venditioni exponas
Statute text
upon application in writing by the tax collecting authority, a writ of venditioni exponas shall issue out of the office of the prothonotary directed to the sheriff commanding the sheriff to sell the property mentioned or described in the writ
- Statute
- Del. Code Ann. tit. 9 §8729; §8771
Statute text
may redeem the same at any time within 60 days from the day the sale thereof is approved by the Court, by paying to the purchaser or his or her legal representatives, successors or assigns, the amount of the purchase price and 15 percent in addition thereto, together with all costs incurred in the cause
- Auction platform
- Sheriff, under a writ of venditioni exponas issued by the prothonotary
Statute text
upon application in writing by the tax collecting authority, a writ of venditioni exponas shall issue out of the office of the prothonotary directed to the sheriff commanding the sheriff to sell the property mentioned or described in the writ
- Auction timing
- A writ ordering the sale may issue once 20 days pass after the sheriff reports on the monition. Confirm with the county.
Statute text
At any time after the expiration of 20 days following the return of the sheriff upon the monition
Counties 3
- Tax lien
- Tax deed
- Hybrid
- Redeemable deed
Summary
To collect unpaid taxes by the monition method, the tax collecting authority files a praecipe in the Superior Court prothonotary's office in the county where the property is located. Statute: Del. Code Title 9 §8721.
Statute text
The tax collecting authority may file a praecipe in the office of the prothonotary of the Superior Court in and for the county where the property is located.
Statute text
the monition method and authority is established
The owner may redeem within 60 days of the Court's approval of the sale, by paying the purchase price and 15 percent in addition (§ 8729). Del. Code Title 9 §8721.
Statute text
may redeem the same at any time within 60 days from the day the sale thereof is approved by the Court, by paying to the purchaser or his or her legal representatives, successors or assigns, the amount of the purchase price and 15 percent in addition thereto, together with all costs incurred in the cause
Statute text
the monition method and authority is established
Redemption costs the purchase price plus 15 percent in addition, with all costs of the cause (§ 8729). For sales under § 8771 (Kent and Sussex), redemption is within 1 year, at the purchase money plus 20 percent interest and costs (§ 8776). Del. Code Title 9 §8729; §8776.
Statute text
may redeem the same at any time within 60 days from the day the sale thereof is approved by the Court, by paying to the purchaser or his or her legal representatives, successors or assigns, the amount of the purchase price and 15 percent in addition thereto, together with all costs incurred in the cause
Statute text
no deed shall be made until the expiration of 1 year from the time of sale, within which time the owner, the owner's heirs, executors or administrators may redeem the lands on payment to the tax collecting authority of the costs, the amount of the purchase money, and 20 percent interest thereon, and expenses of the deeds
Para cobrar impuestos impagos por el método de monición, la autoridad recaudadora presenta un praecipe en la oficina del prothonotary del Tribunal Superior del condado donde está la propiedad. Estatuto: Del. Code Título 9 §8721.
Statute text
The tax collecting authority may file a praecipe in the office of the prothonotary of the Superior Court in and for the county where the property is located.
Statute text
the monition method and authority is established
El propietario puede redimir dentro de 60 días de la aprobación de la venta por el Tribunal, pagando el precio de compra y 15 por ciento adicional (§ 8729).
Statute text
may redeem the same at any time within 60 days from the day the sale thereof is approved by the Court, by paying to the purchaser or his or her legal representatives, successors or assigns, the amount of the purchase price and 15 percent in addition thereto, together with all costs incurred in the cause
La redención cuesta el precio de compra más 15 por ciento adicional, con todos los costos de la causa (§ 8729). Para ventas bajo el § 8771 (Kent y Sussex), la redención es dentro de 1 año, al dinero de compra más 20 por ciento de interés y costos (§ 8776).
Statute text
may redeem the same at any time within 60 days from the day the sale thereof is approved by the Court, by paying to the purchaser or his or her legal representatives, successors or assigns, the amount of the purchase price and 15 percent in addition thereto, together with all costs incurred in the cause
Statute text
no deed shall be made until the expiration of 1 year from the time of sale, within which time the owner, the owner's heirs, executors or administrators may redeem the lands on payment to the tax collecting authority of the costs, the amount of the purchase money, and 20 percent interest thereon, and expenses of the deeds
Key points
- The sheriff sells under a writ issued by the prothonotary
Statute text
upon application in writing by the tax collecting authority, a writ of venditioni exponas shall issue out of the office of the prothonotary directed to the sheriff commanding the sheriff to sell the property mentioned or described in the writ
- Redemption: within 60 days from the day the Court approves the sale
Statute text
may redeem the same at any time within 60 days from the day the sale thereof is approved by the Court, by paying to the purchaser or his or her legal representatives, successors or assigns, the amount of the purchase price and 15 percent in addition thereto, together with all costs incurred in the cause
- Sales under § 8771 (Kent and Sussex): no deed until 1 year after the sale
Statute text
no deed shall be made until the expiration of 1 year from the time of sale, within which time the owner, the owner's heirs, executors or administrators may redeem the lands on payment to the tax collecting authority of the costs, the amount of the purchase money, and 20 percent interest thereon, and expenses of the deeds
- The department of finance or chief county financial officer may approve or disapprove the final bid at a sheriff sale (§ 8726)
Statute text
may approve or disapprove the final bid at a sale made by the sheriff under this subchapter for any public purpose or reason
Extra due diligence
- Confirm with the county which sale procedure applies and its redemption period
Statute text
may redeem the same at any time within 60 days from the day the sale thereof is approved by the Court, by paying to the purchaser or his or her legal representatives, successors or assigns, the amount of the purchase price and 15 percent in addition thereto, together with all costs incurred in the cause
- Confirme con el condado qué procedimiento de venta aplica y su período de redención
Statute text
may redeem the same at any time within 60 days from the day the sale thereof is approved by the Court, by paying to the purchaser or his or her legal representatives, successors or assigns, the amount of the purchase price and 15 percent in addition thereto, together with all costs incurred in the cause
How to sign up for the auction
Platform: Sheriff
Statute text
upon application in writing by the tax collecting authority, a writ of venditioni exponas shall issue out of the office of the prothonotary directed to the sheriff commanding the sheriff to sell the property mentioned or described in the writ
- Contact the county tax collecting authority and the sheriff about upcoming sales
Statute text
upon application in writing by the tax collecting authority, a writ of venditioni exponas shall issue out of the office of the prothonotary directed to the sheriff commanding the sheriff to sell the property mentioned or described in the writ
- Ask for the sale date; a writ of sale may issue 20 days after the sheriff reports on the monition
Statute text
At any time after the expiration of 20 days following the return of the sheriff upon the monition
- Where the sale notice says so, the county may require bidders to certify before bidding that they do not own certain delinquent or vacant property in the county (§ 8726(b))
Statute text
the county governing body may require that bidders at a sheriff sale, prior to any bid, certify to the county governing body that such bidder, either directly or through any affiliated entities, does not own any interest in any real property in such county that:
- The sheriff conducts the sale
Statute text
upon application in writing by the tax collecting authority, a writ of venditioni exponas shall issue out of the office of the prothonotary directed to the sheriff commanding the sheriff to sell the property mentioned or described in the writ
Deposit: Confirm with the county.
Statute text
upon application in writing by the tax collecting authority, a writ of venditioni exponas shall issue out of the office of the prothonotary directed to the sheriff commanding the sheriff to sell the property mentioned or described in the writ
Platform: Sheriff
Statute text
upon application in writing by the tax collecting authority, a writ of venditioni exponas shall issue out of the office of the prothonotary directed to the sheriff commanding the sheriff to sell the property mentioned or described in the writ
- Contacte a la autoridad recaudadora del condado y al sheriff sobre las próximas ventas
Statute text
upon application in writing by the tax collecting authority, a writ of venditioni exponas shall issue out of the office of the prothonotary directed to the sheriff commanding the sheriff to sell the property mentioned or described in the writ
- Pregunte la fecha de venta; una orden de venta puede emitirse 20 días después del informe del sheriff sobre la monición
Statute text
At any time after the expiration of 20 days following the return of the sheriff upon the monition
- Cuando el aviso de venta lo indique, el condado puede exigir que los postores certifiquen antes de pujar que no poseen cierta propiedad morosa o vacante en el condado (§ 8726(b))
Statute text
the county governing body may require that bidders at a sheriff sale, prior to any bid, certify to the county governing body that such bidder, either directly or through any affiliated entities, does not own any interest in any real property in such county that:
- El sheriff realiza la venta
Statute text
upon application in writing by the tax collecting authority, a writ of venditioni exponas shall issue out of the office of the prothonotary directed to the sheriff commanding the sheriff to sell the property mentioned or described in the writ
Depósito: Confirme con el condado.
Statute text
upon application in writing by the tax collecting authority, a writ of venditioni exponas shall issue out of the office of the prothonotary directed to the sheriff commanding the sheriff to sell the property mentioned or described in the writ
Over the counter (OTC)
Not set by statute. Confirm with the county.
Statute text
upon application in writing by the tax collecting authority, a writ of venditioni exponas shall issue out of the office of the prothonotary directed to the sheriff commanding the sheriff to sell the property mentioned or described in the writ
Not set by statute. Confirm with the county.
Statute text
upon application in writing by the tax collecting authority, a writ of venditioni exponas shall issue out of the office of the prothonotary directed to the sheriff commanding the sheriff to sell the property mentioned or described in the writ
No lo fija la ley. Confirme con el condado.
Statute text
upon application in writing by the tax collecting authority, a writ of venditioni exponas shall issue out of the office of the prothonotary directed to the sheriff commanding the sheriff to sell the property mentioned or described in the writ
Platforms
- Sheriff
Statute text
upon application in writing by the tax collecting authority, a writ of venditioni exponas shall issue out of the office of the prothonotary directed to the sheriff commanding the sheriff to sell the property mentioned or described in the writ
Surplus proceeds
For sales under § 8771 (Kent and Sussex), the amount left after the tax, costs and expenses is paid at once to the owner of the land (§ 8779).
Statute text
After satisfying the tax due and the costs and expenses of sale from the proceeds of sale under this subchapter, the amount remaining shall be paid at once to the owner of the land
La lista de condados y las fuentes están en inglés.
Sources
- 9 Del. C. § 8728 — checked 2026-11-01
- 9 Del. C. § 8729 — checked 2026-11-01
- 9 Del. C. § 8776 — checked 2026-11-01
- 9 Del. C. § 8725(a) — checked 2026-11-01
- 9 Del. C. § 8722(a) — checked 2026-11-01
- 9 Del. C. § 8721 — checked 2026-11-01
- 9 Del. C. § 8726(a) — checked 2026-11-01
- 9 Del. C. § 8726(b) — checked 2026-11-01
- 9 Del. C. § 8779 — checked 2026-11-01
Checked against official sources on 2026-11-01. Each statement is tied to the statute or agency page listed under Sources.
County records come from the directory's research files (dated where shown). Always confirm dates, deposits and rules with the county office before you bid. Report an error.
Not legal or financial advice. Rules change. Confirm with the county before you bid.