How to Fill Out Delaware DMV Application for Duplicate Title (Form MV213) + FAQs

Form MV213, the Application for Duplicate Title or Sold Out of State to Retain Tag, is the document Delaware vehicle owners file with the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles to replace a car title that is lost, stolen, or destroyed. You file it when you no longer have your original paper title but still need proof of ownership to sell, transfer, refinance, or register your vehicle.

A title is the single piece of paper that proves you own your car, and losing it can freeze a sale or a loan until you replace it. The current MV213 carries a revision date of 04/20 printed in the bottom corner, so check that you are using that version before you begin, because the Division regularly cross-checks your form against system records. Delaware charges a flat $50.00 fee for a duplicate title, and one missing signature or an unsigned lien block is the most common reason a request gets sent back.

Here is what you will learn in this guide:

• 📝 How to fill out every box on the MV213 line by line, in plain English
• 🚗 Which documents and ID numbers to gather before you start so nothing stalls
• 🏛️ Exactly how to file by mail or in person, with the address, fee, and proof to keep
• ⚠️ The field-level mistakes that get duplicate titles rejected and how to dodge them
• 🔒 How to handle a lien, a co-owner, or a power of attorney without a second trip

What Form MV213 Is and Who Must File It

Form MV213 is the official request you submit to the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when you need a replacement, or duplicate, copy of a vehicle title that the state already issued in your name. The same form doubles as the “Sold Out of State to Retain Tag” application, but this guide focuses on the duplicate title use, which is the most common reason people pick up the form. The agency that receives and processes it is the DMV’s titling unit in Dover, and the form exists because Delaware law requires the state to keep an accurate record of who owns every titled vehicle.

You must file the MV213 if your original Delaware title is lost, stolen, or destroyed and you are the owner of record. You also file it if you are a co-owner, a lienholder who holds the title, a licensed dealer, or someone acting for the owner under a notarized power of attorney. When you sign the form, you certify under penalty of perjury that the title is lost or destroyed, and you promise to return the original to the Division if it ever turns up, as stated directly on the MV213 form.

The duplicate title replaces the lost paper exactly, showing the last recorded information in the system, including the last recorded mileage. You cannot use this form to change a name, add a new tag, brand the title, or update the odometer reading, because those are separate transactions that must happen after the duplicate prints. A common misconception is that a duplicate title is a fresh, blank title; it is not, and it carries forward every detail the state already has on file.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Gather everything below before you open the form, because a missing item is the top cause of a rejected or delayed duplicate request. The DMV cross-checks the details you write against its own records, so a blank or wrong field can trigger a hold while staff confirm your ownership. Build this short pile first and the form takes only a few minutes.

• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This 17-character code ties the form to the exact vehicle in the state system, and a wrong digit pulls up the wrong record or none at all.
• Make, model, year, and color of the vehicle. These confirm the VIN matches the car you own; a mismatch flags the request for manual review.
• Delaware license plate (tag) number with prefix. Prefixes like PC, C, CL, or MC must come before the numbers, or the DMV cannot find your registration.
• Tag expiration date and last title issue date. These help staff locate the correct title record and confirm timing.
• Owner’s (and co-owner’s) full name and current address. The names must match the names already on the title, or the duplicate cannot legally be issued.
• Driver license or ID number for every owner. The DMV uses this to verify identity, and a blank here stops processing.
• A photocopy of each owner’s driver license or signature ID. This is required for mail requests and for anyone other than the owner, lienholder, or dealer.
• Lien information, if any loan is open. You need the lienholder’s name and either a completed lien block or a release letter, or the title will be mailed to the lender instead of you.
• The $50.00 fee in an accepted payment form, since the Division will not process the request without payment attached.
• A self-addressed envelope if you file by mail, which the DMV specifically asks for so it can return your duplicate.

If any single item is missing, the safest move is to wait and collect it rather than send an incomplete form, because a rejected packet can add weeks to an already stressful situation.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

You can download the current MV213 directly from the Division of Motor Vehicles’ Forms and Manuals page, where it is listed as “MV213 – Application for Duplicate/Sold out of State Title.” Always pull the form from the official DMV site rather than a random third-party copy, because outdated versions float around the internet and may be missing the current lien blocks or the 04/20 revision footer. The official PDF is fillable, so you can type your answers on a computer or print it blank and complete it by hand in dark ink.

You can also pick up a paper MV213 in person at any Delaware DMV lane location, including Dover, New Castle, Wilmington, and Georgetown, where staff can hand you the form and answer quick questions. If you would rather not download and print, this is the simplest route, and you can fill it out and file it in the same visit. Keep in mind the DMV does not offer an online portal for duplicate titles, so the form must be completed on paper and submitted by mail or in person.

A common misconception is that you can request a duplicate title fully online the way you renew a registration. You cannot, because the duplicate requires an original signature certifying the title is lost, and in many cases a photocopy of your ID or an original notarized power of attorney. Plan to handle this transaction on paper from start to finish.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form MV213 Line by Line

The MV213 fits on a single page, but every box matters, and the Division reads each one against its records. Work through the fields in the order they appear: the request type at the top, the vehicle description, the owner address block, the certification and signatures, and the lien blocks at the bottom. Use the exact field names printed on the form so you know you are filling the right box.

1. Request Type: Duplicate Title vs. Sold Out of State

At the very top, the form offers two paths: Duplicate Title Request and Sold Out of State. This box tells the DMV which transaction you want, and the two are not the same, so you must mark the correct one.

To answer it, check or mark the Duplicate Title Request box if your goal is to replace a lost or destroyed Delaware title and keep the vehicle. Leave the Sold Out of State option alone unless you actually sold the car to a buyer outside Delaware and need to retain your tag.

For example, Maria Lopez lost her title in a house move and still owns her Honda, so she marks Duplicate Title Request and ignores the sold-out-of-state line.

A common nuance: if you are selling out of state, that path uses different fees of $35.00 with no lien or $55.00 with a lien, and it requires proof the vehicle was sold or transferred out of Delaware with a Report of Sale on file. Only one path applies to your situation.

The most common mistake here is marking both boxes or marking the sold-out-of-state box by habit, which routes your request to the wrong queue and forces a manual correction that adds days. A misconception people hold is that the two options are interchangeable; they are separate transactions with separate fees, and choosing wrong can change what you owe.

2. Vehicle Description: Tag Number, Title Issue Date, and U-Title

This grouping asks for the Delaware Tag Number, the Last Expiration Date, and the Last Title Issue Date, plus a U-Title (DMV Only) box you leave blank. These details let staff pull the exact title record tied to your car.

To answer it, copy your plate number with its full prefix, then enter the dates in month/day/year form. Write PC 123456 rather than just 123456, and write a date as 07/15/2024.

For example, Maria Lopez enters her tag as PC 482910, her last expiration date as 03/31/2025, and her last title issue date as 06/12/2019.

A nuance to watch: if you cannot find your last title issue date, you can leave it and let the DMV locate the record by VIN and tag, but providing it speeds things along. The U-Title, Issued on Dead Tag, and similar boxes are for DMV staff, so do not write in them.

The most common mistake is dropping the tag prefix, which leaves the DMV unable to match your registration and stalls the request. A misconception is that the tag number alone is enough; the prefix is part of the number, and skipping it is the same as giving the wrong plate.

3. Vehicle Identification: VIN, Make, Year, Color, and Body Style

This section captures the VIN, Make, Year, Color 1, Color 2, and Body Style of the vehicle. The VIN is the anchor that links your form to the one specific car in the state database.

To answer it, copy the 17-character VIN exactly from your registration card or the dash plate, using all capital letters and no spaces or dashes. Then fill the make, year, primary color, secondary color if any, and the body style such as 4-door sedan.

For example, Marcus Greene writes his VIN as 1HGCM82633A004352, make Honda, year 2003, Color 1 Silver, and Body Style Sedan.

A nuance many filers miss: the VIN uses the number zero and the letter O, but never the letters I, O, or Q in standard positions, so if your VIN seems to have an “O,” it is the number zero. Double-check character by character.

The most common mistake on this field is a single transposed VIN digit, which either pulls up a different vehicle or returns no match and triggers a manual hold. A misconception is that the make and model alone identify your car; the VIN is the only field the system treats as unique, so accuracy here is everything.

4. Owner Name and Address Block: Street, City, State, Zip

This block asks for the owner’s (and co-owner’s) Name(s) and the mailing address broken into Street, City, State, and Zip Code. This is where the DMV confirms who owns the car and where to send the duplicate.

To answer it, write each owner’s full legal name exactly as it appears on the existing title, then enter the current mailing address where you want the duplicate delivered. Print clearly in dark ink so the mailing label is readable.

For example, Maria Lopez writes her name as MARIA E. LOPEZ, street 214 Loockerman Street, city Dover, state DE, and zip 19904.

A nuance: if you use a P.O. Box, that is fine for the mailing address, but the name must still match the title record, not a nickname or a new married name. You cannot change the name on this form, so use the name already on file.

The most common mistake is writing a new or shortened name that does not match the title, which blocks issuance because the DMV cannot legally print a title to a name it has no record of. A misconception people hold is that they can quietly update an address or name change here; an address update for mailing is fine, but a legal name change is a separate transaction handled after the duplicate prints.

5. The Certification Statement

Just above the signature lines sits the sworn statement: “I (we) certify, under penalty of perjury, that the title to this vehicle is lost or destroyed. In the event the title is located, it shall be returned to the Division immediately.” This is the legal heart of the form, and signing it makes your claim official.

To answer it, you do not write anything in the statement itself; you accept it by signing below. Read it first so you understand you are swearing the title is truly gone.

For example, Marcus Greene reads the line, confirms his title was destroyed in a basement flood, and signs beneath it with confidence.

A nuance: if you later find the original title, you are legally bound to return it to the Division, because two valid titles cannot exist for one car. Set the found title aside and mail it back rather than trying to use it.

The most common mistake is treating the certification as boilerplate and signing when the title is actually in a drawer somewhere you have not checked, which is a perjury exposure. A misconception is that signing has no teeth; the phrase under penalty of perjury means a false statement is a crime, so search thoroughly before you sign.

6. Owner and Co-Owner Signatures and Driver License Numbers

The form provides an X line for the Signature of Owner with the owner’s Driver’s License number, and a second X line for the Signature of Co-Owner with their license number. All owners must sign, and these signatures unlock the whole request.

To answer it, every person listed on the title signs on their own X line and writes their Delaware driver license or ID number beside their signature. If the car has two owners, both must sign, not just one.

For example, co-owners David Chen and Susan Chen each sign their own X line, with David writing license number 1234567 and Susan writing 7654321.

A nuance: if a co-owner has died, you cannot simply sign for them; you need supporting documents such as proof of survivorship or estate paperwork, which the DMV will direct you to. Do not forge or guess a missing owner’s signature.

The most common mistake is one owner signing for a two-owner title, which gets the form rejected because Delaware requires all owners to sign. A misconception is that the primary owner can sign for everyone; each owner’s own signature and license number are mandatory unless a notarized power of attorney is on file.

7. Signature of Individual Other Than Owner

A separate X line reads Signature of Individual Other Than Owner Requesting Duplicate, with a space for that person’s Driver’s License number. This handles the case where the owner signs the form but sends someone else to file it.

To answer it, the helper signs this line and writes their own license number only if the owner has already signed above and is authorizing them to process the request. The helper must also include a copy of their own driver license or ID.

For example, Maria Lopez signs the owner line, then asks her brother Luis Lopez to drop off the form; Luis signs the “individual other than owner” line and writes his license number 9988776.

A nuance: this is different from a power of attorney. Here the owner has personally signed, so the helper is just delivering it; if the owner has not signed, you need the notarized power of attorney route in the next step instead.

The most common mistake is the helper signing this line when the owner did not sign above, which leaves no valid owner signature and voids the request. A misconception is that anyone can request a duplicate for a friend; without either the owner’s signature or a notarized power of attorney, the DMV will not issue the title.

8. Power of Attorney Signatures

If the owner cannot sign at all, an original notarized power of attorney (POA) must accompany the MV213, and the agent signs in a specific way. This lets a trusted person stand in for the owner completely.

To answer it, the agent hand prints the owner’s name and then signs their own name, using the format John Doe by Jane Smith POA, exactly as the DMV instructions require. Attach the original notarized POA, not a copy.

For example, agent Jane Smith signs for owner John Doe by writing John Doe by Jane Smith POA on the owner signature line.

A nuance: the POA must be original and notarized, and a photocopied or unsigned POA will not work, because the DMV must verify the authority is real. For corporations, the form must show the corporate name with the signing officer’s title.

The most common mistake is the agent signing only their own name or only the owner’s name, instead of the required combined format, which the DMV rejects. A misconception is that a verbal or texted authorization is enough; only an original notarized POA gives an agent the power to sign here.

9. Lien Satisfied Block (Bottom Left)

At the bottom, the box labeled Complete This Block Only If Lien Is Satisfied asks for the Date of Release, the Lienholder name, and the Authorized Representative signature. You use this only when the loan is paid off and the lender is releasing its claim.

To answer it, the lienholder, not you, fills this block, entering the release date and signing as the authorized representative. As a borrower, you take or mail the form to your lender so they can complete it, or you provide a lien release letter instead.

For example, First State Bank enters a Date of Release of 05/01/2026, prints its name as lienholder, and its loan officer signs as authorized representative.

A nuance: the form warns Do Not Fill In Both Blocks, so if the lien is satisfied, you use only this left block and leave the right block blank. A separate lien release on the lender’s letterhead is also accepted if it includes the owner and vehicle information, a lien satisfaction statement, and an authorized signature.

The most common mistake is the owner signing this lienholder block themselves, which the DMV rejects because only the lender can release a lien. A misconception is that paying off a loan automatically clears the title; the lender must affirmatively sign the release before a clear duplicate can issue.

10. Lien Re-Entered Block (Bottom Right)

The box labeled Complete This Block Only If Lien Is to Be Re-Entered carries the consent line: “This is our written consent for the Motor Vehicle Director to issue a duplicate title in the above applicant’s name,” with spaces for the Lienholder, Signature, and Position. You use this when the loan is still open and the lender agrees to a duplicate while keeping its lien.

To answer it, the lienholder completes this block, printing its name, signing, and stating the signer’s position. Again, the lender fills this in, not you, and you simply route the form to them.

For example, Capital Auto Finance prints its name, its title clerk signs, and writes the position Title Clerk to consent to the duplicate while keeping the lien on record.

A nuance: when the lien stays on the title, the DMV mails the finished duplicate to the lienholder, not to you, because the lender holds the title until the loan is paid. If your lender needs the title and will not complete this block, a letter from the lender stating the need for the duplicate is accepted instead.

The most common mistake is leaving this block blank when a loan is still open, which stalls the request because the DMV cannot issue a duplicate without lender consent. A misconception is that you will receive the title in the mail; with an active lien, expect the lender to receive it, not you.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

Below are three common situations, each following one filer through the major sections of the MV213. Use them as a model for your own form.

Scenario A: Maria Lopez — Single Owner, Lost Title, No Lien

Maria owns her 2019 Honda Civic outright and lost the title during a move. She files alone with no lender involved.

Form Section	What Maria Enters
Request Type	Marks Duplicate Title Request
Delaware Tag Number	PC 482910
Last Expiration Date	03/31/2025
Last Title Issue Date	06/12/2019
VIN	2HGFC2F59KH500111
Make / Year / Color	Honda / 2019 / Blue
Owner Name	MARIA E. LOPEZ
Address	214 Loockerman St, Dover, DE 19904
Owner Signature + License	Signs X line, writes 1122334
Lien Blocks	Left blank (no lien)

Maria includes a photocopy of her driver license because she is mailing the form, encloses a $50.00 check, and adds a self-addressed envelope.

Scenario B: David and Susan Chen — Co-Owners With an Active Lien

The Chens still owe on their 2022 Toyota and their lender holds the title, so both spouses sign and the lender consents to keep the lien.

Form Section	What the Chens Enter
Request Type	Marks Duplicate Title Request
Delaware Tag Number	PC 771203
VIN	5TDZA23C12S077881
Make / Year / Color	Toyota / 2022 / White
Owner Names	DAVID CHEN and SUSAN CHEN
Address	88 Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801
Owner Signature + License	David signs, 1234567
Co-Owner Signature + License	Susan signs, 7654321
Lien Re-Entered Block	Capital Auto Finance, signed by title clerk, position Title Clerk
Delivery	Duplicate mailed to the lienholder

Both owners sign because the title lists both, and the lender completes the right-hand lien block so the duplicate can issue with the lien intact.

Scenario C: John Doe by Jane Smith — Power of Attorney Filing

John is deployed overseas and cannot sign, so his sister Jane files using a notarized power of attorney for his paid-off 2015 Ford.

Form Section	What Jane Enters
Request Type	Marks Duplicate Title Request
Delaware Tag Number	PC 305998
VIN	1FADP3F22FL300222
Make / Year / Color	Ford / 2015 / Gray
Owner Name	JOHN DOE
Address	17 Bay Rd, Lewes, DE 19958
Owner Signature Line	John Doe by Jane Smith POA
Agent License Number	Jane writes 5566778
Required Attachment	Original notarized power of attorney
Lien Blocks	Left blank (no lien)

Jane attaches the original notarized POA and a copy of her own ID, signs in the required owner by agent POA format, and encloses the $50.00 fee.

How to File the Completed Form MV213

Delaware accepts the MV213 two ways, by mail and in person, and there is no online or fax option for duplicate titles. Pick the channel that fits your timeline, and keep proof of what you submit in case the DMV needs to confirm anything later. The flat fee is $50.00 for a standard duplicate.

By mail: Send the completed and signed MV213, a photocopy of each owner’s driver license or signature ID, any lien release, the $50.00 payment, and a self-addressed envelope to the State of Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, PO Box 698, Dover, DE 19903. Accepted payment by mail is typically a check or money order made out to the Delaware DMV, since cash should never go in an envelope. Keep a photocopy of the full packet and your check number as your proof of filing, and expect roughly a few weeks of processing time, which can run longer near the title issue date.

In person: Bring the completed MV213 and your ID to any Delaware DMV lane in Dover, New Castle, Wilmington, or Georgetown, listed on the DMV locations page. In-person filers can usually pay by cash, check, money order, or card, and a duplicate with no lien can often be issued the same day. Keep your paid receipt as proof of filing.

One important timing rule: any duplicate request made within 15 days of the last title issue date requires further review before the DMV can issue it, so a brand-new title that goes missing right away may take longer to replace.

What Happens After You File

Once the DMV accepts your MV213, staff verify your details against the state record, confirm all required signatures, and check any lien block before printing the duplicate. If everything matches, a clear duplicate title is produced showing the last recorded vehicle information, including the last recorded mileage, because a duplicate copies what the state already has rather than collecting new data. In person, a lien-free duplicate is often handed to you the same day, while mailed requests typically arrive within a few weeks.

If there is an active lien and the lender consented on the form, the finished duplicate is mailed to the lienholder, not to you, because the lender holds the title until the loan is satisfied. You receive it directly only when there is no lien or when the lien has been released. Plan around this so you are not surprised when the envelope goes to your bank.

If a problem surfaces, such as a missing signature, a VIN mismatch, or a request filed within 15 days of the last issue date, the DMV holds the request for review and may contact you or return the packet. Responding fast with the corrected item is the quickest way to get back on track, and keeping your filing receipt makes that conversation easier.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out Form MV213

• Marking both the Duplicate Title and Sold Out of State boxes, which routes the request wrong and delays it.
• Dropping the tag prefix like PC or MC, which leaves the DMV unable to match your registration.
• Transposing a VIN character, which pulls up the wrong vehicle or no record and triggers a hold.
• Having only one co-owner sign a two-owner title, which gets the form rejected outright.
• Forgetting to write each owner’s driver license number, which stops identity verification.
• Mailing the form without a photocopy of the owner’s ID, which is required and causes a return.
• Signing a power of attorney with only one name instead of the owner by agent POA format, which is rejected.
• Sending a photocopied or non-notarized power of attorney, which the DMV will not accept.
• The owner filling in the lienholder release block, which only the lender may complete.
• Leaving the lien block blank when a loan is still open, which prevents the duplicate from issuing.
• Filling in both lien blocks, which the form expressly prohibits and which forces a correction.
• Omitting the $50.00 fee or the self-addressed envelope for mail requests, which stalls or returns the packet.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do: – Do confirm you are using the 04/20 version of the MV213 before filling it out, so the lien blocks match current rules. – Do copy the VIN character by character from your registration, because the VIN is the one field that must be exact. – Do have every owner sign and add their license number, since Delaware requires all owners to sign. – Do include a photocopy of your ID when mailing, because the DMV requires it for mail and third-party filings. – Do enclose a self-addressed envelope for mail requests, as the DMV specifically asks for one. – Do keep a copy of the full packet and your payment record as proof of filing.

Don’t: – Don’t sign the certification if you have not truly searched for the title, because you are swearing under penalty of perjury. – Don’t fill in the lienholder blocks yourself, since only the lender can release or consent to a lien. – Don’t try to change a name, tag, or mileage on this form, because those are separate transactions after the duplicate prints. – Don’t forge or guess a missing owner’s signature, which is fraud and voids the request. – Don’t send cash in the mail, because lost cash leaves you with no proof of payment. – Don’t file within 15 days of the last title issue date expecting instant service, since those requests get extra review.

Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Most owners can file the MV213 alone, but a title or tag service can help when a lien or power of attorney complicates things. Weigh the trade-offs below.

Filing on Your Own	Filing With Professional Help
Costs only the $50.00 DMV fee, so it is the cheapest path	Adds a service fee on top of the $50.00, which raises the cost
Gives you full control over every entry and timing	Hands off the paperwork, which saves you time
Works well for a simple single-owner, no-lien request	Helps when a lien, POA, or co-owner issue is tricky
Requires you to track the ID copy, fee, and envelope yourself	The service knows the documents and reduces rejection risk
In-person filing can be same day for a clear title	A service may file in bulk and not be faster for one car

The main reason to go solo is cost and a straightforward case, while the main reason to get help is a lien, an out-of-state owner, or a power of attorney that you would rather not navigate alone.

FAQs

How much does a duplicate title cost in Delaware? Yes, the fee is a flat $50.00 for a standard duplicate title, paid by check, money order, or card, and it must accompany the MV213.

Can I get a Delaware duplicate title online? No, the MV213 must be filed by mail or in person, because it requires an original signature certifying the title is lost.

How long does it take to get the duplicate? No single answer fits, but in-person lien-free requests are often same day, while mailed requests usually take a few weeks.

Do I need to report mileage on the MV213? No, a duplicate title does not require mileage; it prints the last recorded mileage already in the DMV system.

Do both owners have to sign if the car has co-owners? Yes, all owners listed on the title must sign the MV213 and provide their driver license numbers, or it is rejected.

Can someone else file the form for me? Yes, if you sign the form yourself, a helper signs the “individual other than owner” line, includes their license number, and attaches a copy of their ID.

What if I cannot sign the form at all? Yes, an agent can sign using an original notarized power of attorney, signing in the format owner name by agent name POA.

Do I write my tag number with the letters in front, like PC? Yes, you must include the prefix such as PC, C, CL, or MC before the numbers, or the DMV cannot find your registration.

Should I fill in the lienholder block myself? No, only the lienholder may complete a lien block; you route the form to your lender or provide a lien release letter.

Which lien block do I use if my loan is paid off? Yes, use only the “Lien Is Satisfied” block on the left, and never fill in both lien blocks on the form.

Will I receive the duplicate if I still owe on the car? No, when an active lien stays on the title, the DMV mails the duplicate to the lienholder, not to you.

What if I find my original title after I get the duplicate? Yes, you must return the original to the Division immediately, because two valid titles cannot exist for one vehicle.

Can I change my name or address on this form? No, you cannot change a legal name, tag, or mileage here; an updated mailing address is fine, but name changes happen after the duplicate prints.

Why is my duplicate request taking extra time? Yes, requests made within 15 days of the last title issue date require further review before the DMV can issue the duplicate.