Tax Sales and Sheriff Sales in Delaware

How tax sales work in Delaware

Delaware sells a redeemable deed: the buyer gets the deed, but the owner can buy it back for a set penalty during a redemption period.

What the buyer earns. 15% of the purchase price (flat penalty), plus costs (9 Del. C. § 8729).

Redemption. 60 days after the Superior Court confirms the sale; none afterward, when the buyer petitions for the sheriff's deed.

When and where the sales are held

Who runs them: County sheriff, on behalf of the county finance office (New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties).

When: Monthly, with the county's regular sheriff sales; confirmation occurs the Friday after the third Monday of the following month.

Where: In person at the county courthouse or county building (New Castle County sales at the City/County Building, 800 N. French St., Wilmington); New Castle County publishes results online.

The list of parcels for each sale is published by the office that runs it, usually a few weeks ahead, in the county's legal newspaper and on the county or platform site. UX Search does not list tax sale parcels; these sales are run by the counties and the platforms they contract, and the links on this page go to the official sources.

Sheriff sales and foreclosure sales in Delaware

Delaware mortgage foreclosure is judicial: the lender files a scire facias action in Superior Court, obtains judgment, and the county sheriff sells the property at a public sheriff's sale after advertising it in two local newspapers and posting it. The Superior Court confirms the sale about a month later, and once confirmed there is no right of redemption for the borrower.

A tax sale and a sheriff sale are different animals even when the same office runs both. A tax sale clears unpaid property taxes and in most states wipes out junior liens; a mortgage foreclosure sale pays the lender and may leave tax liens in place. Before bidding at either, pull the title, read the judgment or the tax certificate, and know which liens survive the sale in Delaware.

Official sources for Delaware

• 9 Del. C. ch. 87, subch. II – Monition Method of Sale
• 9 Del. C. ch. 87 – Collection of Delinquent Taxes (index)
• New Castle County Sheriff – sale results and confirmation/redemption schedule

Statute: 9 Del. C. ch. 87 (collection of delinquent taxes); §§ 8721–8733 (monition method of sale).

Questions people ask

Does Delaware sell tax liens or tax deeds?

Delaware sells a redeemable deed: the buyer gets the deed, but the owner can buy it back for a set penalty during a redemption period. Delaware's three counties collect delinquent property taxes by the 'monition' method: the county files in Superior Court, the sheriff posts the property, and if the debt is unpaid the sheriff sells the property at a public sheriff's sale that the court then confirms. The buyer receives a deed free of liens only after a 60-day redemption window; during that window the owner can redeem by paying the buyer the purchase price plus 15%, plus costs. Tax sales are run alongside the county's regular sheriff sales of foreclosed mortgages.

How long is the redemption period after a tax sale in Delaware?

60 days after the Superior Court confirms the sale; none afterward, when the buyer petitions for the sheriff's deed

What does the buyer earn if the owner redeems in Delaware?

15% of the purchase price (flat penalty), plus costs (9 Del. C. § 8729)

Who runs tax sales in Delaware?

County sheriff, on behalf of the county finance office (New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties). In person at the county courthouse or county building (New Castle County sales at the City/County Building, 800 N. French St., Wilmington); New Castle County publishes results online

When are tax sales held in Delaware?

Monthly, with the county's regular sheriff sales; confirmation occurs the Friday after the third Monday of the following month

Are sheriff sales in Delaware judicial?

Delaware mortgage foreclosure is judicial: the lender files a scire facias action in Superior Court, obtains judgment, and the county sheriff sells the property at a public sheriff's sale after advertising it in two local newspapers and posting it. The Superior Court confirms the sale about a month later, and once confirmed there is no right of redemption for the borrower.

Can anyone bid at a tax sale or sheriff sale in Delaware?

Generally yes, with registration through the office or platform that runs the sale, and often a deposit or proof of funds. Payment is usually due the same day or within a few days in certified funds, and the property is sold as is with whatever title questions come with it. Read the county's terms for the sale you are bidding in; they differ from one county to the next in the same state.

Written from the Delaware statutes and official county pages, last checked October 27, 2026. Rules change by session and by county; the official sources above control. UX Search is independent, lists no tax sale parcels and never takes a bid.