Debt collector laws in Delaware

Delaware's collection law

Medical bills and collectors in Delaware

Delaware's Medical Debt Protection Act (6 Del. C. ch. 25J; 84 Del. Laws c. 198 (2024), amended by 85 Del. Laws c. 107 (2025) and later acts). 'Medical creditors' are hospitals and other large health-care facilities. Those creditors and medical debt collectors cannot garnish wages or bank accounts, foreclose, levy on property or cause arrest for medical debt (§ 2505J); no interest or late fees (§§ 2504J, 2509J); for debts of $500 or more they must offer a payment plan capped at 5% of gross monthly income (§ 2504J); no collection, lawsuits or credit reporting while an insurance appeal is pending or for 60 days after (§ 2508J); a spouse or other adult is not liable unless they sign a separate consent (§ 2506J). Since October 27, 2025, no one may report medical debt to a credit bureau (§ 2507J, SB 156). Note: on October 28, 2025 the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued an interpretive rule saying that the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act generally preempts state laws that ban medical debt from credit reports (90 Fed. Reg. 48710). The state law is still on the books, but credit bureaus may argue it cannot be enforced, and courts have the final say.

Extra Delaware protections

• For medical debt owed to a hospital or other large health-care facility, or collected by a medical debt collector, they cannot garnish your wages or bank account, foreclose on your home, levy on your belongings, or cause your arrest. (6 Del. C. § 2505J(a))
• You cannot be charged interest or late fees on medical debt, even on a judgment. (6 Del. C. §§ 2504J(a), 2509J)
• A spouse or other adult is not liable for your medical debt unless they sign a separate consent form. (6 Del. C. § 2506J(b))
• Collectors must pause collection on medical debt while a health insurance appeal is pending and for 60 days after. (6 Del. C. § 2508J)

Do collectors need a license in Delaware?

License required

No statewide license

Who licenses

No Delaware collection agency license was found. The State Bank Commissioner's non-depository license list does not include collection agencies.

Like Delaware, 12 of the 48 states we cover don't license collectors statewide.

In nearby states

• Maryland: Yes
• Pennsylvania: No statewide license
• New Jersey: No statewide license

Complaints about collectors in Delaware

• Delaware: Delaware Department of Justice, Consumer Protection Unit · (800) 220-5424
• Federal: the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau takes complaints about debt collectors at consumerfinance.gov/complaint · (855) 411-2372.
• You can also report a collector to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Steps against an abusive collector in Delaware

1. Write it down

   Note the date, time and caller of every contact, and keep letters, voicemails, emails and texts.

2. Identify the collector

   With no Delaware license to check, get the collector's full name and address in writing.

3. Write to the collector

   Write to dispute a debt or to stop collector calls, and keep a copy with proof of mailing.

4. File a complaint

   Complain to Delaware Department of Justice, Consumer Protection Unit. You can also complain to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.

5. Know your right to sue in Delaware

   Under federal law you can also sue a collector that breaks the FDCPA within 1 year, for your actual damages, up to $1,000 more and your attorney's fees (15 U.S.C. 1692k).

Questions about collector laws in Delaware

More for Delaware

• Delaware: every collection right on one page
• Statute of limitations in Delaware: 3 years
• Wage garnishment in Delaware: up to 15%
• Sued by a debt collector in Delaware: date on the summons
• “Is my debt too old?” checker for Delaware
• Dispute a debt and ask for proof (validation letter)
• Tell a collector to stop or limit contact
• Debt collector licensing by state
• Guide: how to dispute a debt
• Guide: how to stop collector calls