- Does Delaware sell tax liens or tax deeds?
- Delaware sells redeemable deeds. No county sells tax lien certificates. Delinquent taxes become a judgment against the parcel, the county sheriff sells the property itself at public auction under a writ of venditioni exponas, and the owner can still redeem for 60 days after the Superior Court approves the sale.
- What does a Delaware tax sale buyer earn if the owner redeems?
- A flat 15 percent of the purchase price, plus all costs incurred in the case. The premium runs on the whole price paid, including any amount bid above the taxes, and it does not prorate: redemption on the first day or the sixtieth day after court approval costs the owner the same 15 percent.
- How long is the redemption period in Delaware?
- 60 days from the day the Superior Court approves the sale, under the monition method all three counties use. Approval usually comes about a month after the auction, so the window closes roughly three months after the sale. Two older routes run longer: a New Castle County attachment sale lets discharged lienholders petition to redeem for up to 1 year after confirmation, and a Kent or Sussex direct sale under Subchapter IV carries a 1-year redemption at 20 percent.
- When and where are Delaware tax sales held?
- Each county sheriff sets its own calendar and sells in person. New Castle County holds sheriff sales on the second Tuesday of each month in the City/County Building in Wilmington; Sussex County on the third Tuesday of each month at the Sheriff's Office in Georgetown; Kent County holds its monition (tax) sales on the last Tuesday of January, April, July and October at the Administrative Complex in Dover.
- How much money do I need to bid at a Delaware tax sale?
- Tax sales are paid in full on the sale day. New Castle County requires $10,000 in certified funds at registration and the full bid, or $10,000 if greater, at the time of sale. Sussex County takes a $4,000 registration deposit and the full monition price by 3:00 p.m. Kent County takes $2,000 in certified funds per property at bidding and the balance by 2:00 p.m. the same day.
- Does a Delaware tax sale wipe out mortgages and other liens?
- The monition statute says the purchaser takes the owner's title freed and discharged from liens and encumbrances. But a separate section says liens survive a sale for taxes conducted by the Kent or Sussex tax officers themselves, and every county sheriff warns that title is not guaranteed and a bid does not necessarily clear other debts. Get a title search and title opinion before bidding.
- Can the county refuse to accept my winning bid?
- Yes, if the sale notice says the sale is subject to approval of the Department of Finance or the chief county financial officer. The county may disapprove the final bid for any public purpose, including the bidder's unpaid taxes or code problems on other property, and may re-offer the parcel. Counties may also require bidders to be prequalified by certificate before registering.
Ready to act on these rules? Follow how to buy Delaware redeemable tax deeds for the registration, bidding, and post-sale sequence in order.
Verified Sep 25, 2026 against Delaware statutes.
Tax Sale Atlas publishes educational information about public tax sale processes. This is not legal, financial, or investment advice. Rules, dates, and fees change; confirm with the county office before you bid.