Title Transfers in Colorado

What is a Title Transfer?

Your title is your proof of vehicle ownership. It remains with you until you decide to sell, donate or give the vehicle to another owner. The transfer must take place at your county title and registration office. Unlike other states, there is no set time limit for when you must title your vehicle following the date of purchase.

Typical reasons for title transfers include:

• Selling or buying a vehicle

• Paying off a loan

• Transferring to family

• Gifting or donating a vehicle

• Inheriting a vehicle

• Making name corrections

Selling a Vehicle

Before submitting a car sale ad, take the time to order a vehicle history report. It provides verifiable proof to any questions potential buyers may ask, and helps establish a selling price based on fair market value. Visit our Vehicle History Report page for the full details.

If you've closed the deal, here's how to transfer the title:

1. Locate your Colorado Certificate of Title and enter the mileage in the designated area if your vehicle is fewer than 10 years old.
2. Add the name and address of the buyer on the title.
3. Hand over a current Emissions Inspection Certificate if the buyer lives in an emissions area. For more info on the emissions areas in Colorado, visit our section titled Smog & Emission Checks.
4. Sign and date a Bill of Sale, including your name, the buyer's name, the purchase price, the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the year and make of the vehicle.
5. Remove the license plates.
6. Hand over the above paperwork to the buyer. He or she will then pay the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) a visit to transfer ownership.

Buying a Vehicle

New Cars

The dealer handles all title transfers.

If you have yet to decide on a new vehicle, try shopping online from the convenience of home.

Used Cars

To help find a reliable vehicle that fits with your budget you should take the time to carefully explore all finance options available to you. And don't forget to figure car insurance into your budget plan. You can find rates from a variety of carriers at our Insurance Center.

But before signing any documents, protect yourself by learning as much as you can about your selection by ordering a Vehicle History Report online.

Once you're ready to buy, here's what to do:

1. Have the seller date and sign the title over to you. Confirm that the proper mileage was entered in the designated area.
2. Have the seller hand you the current emissions inspection certificate, if applicable.
3. Have the seller hand you a signed and dated Bill of Sale, including your name, the purchase price, the VIN, and the year and make of the vehicle.
4. Go to your DMV with these documents, proper identification and proof of insurance. Be prepared to pay fees, which vary by county and vehicle.

Transferring the title will also update the name on the registration.

NOTE: A VIN inspection is required if the vehicle is titled in another state.

Removing a Lien

After paying off your car loan, you'll need the lienholder removed from the title. Generally, the lienholder, without prompt from you, will sign-off on the title and mail it to you. To complete the transfer, you then must bring to your county DMV location:

1. The signed-off title.
2. Payment for $7.20.

You also have the option of mailing to:

• Colorado Department of Revenue

• Motor Vehicle Division

• 1881 Pierce St.

• Lakewood, CO 80214

Transferring to Family

You can transfer vehicle ownership to:

• Grandparents

• Grandkids

• Cousins

• Siblings

• Parents

• Kids

Here's how to proceed with the transfer:

1. Have the giver date and sign the title over to you.
2. Have the giver hand you the current emissions inspection certificate, if applicable.
3. If the vehicle is being handed over for free, the giver must write "GIFT as the purchase price on the title. Otherwise, he or she must hand you a signed and dated Bill of Sale, including your name, the purchase price, the VIN, the year and make of the vehicle,
4. Go to your county DMV office with these documents, proper identification and proof of insurance. Be prepared to pay all applicable fees.

Gifting a Vehicle

If you are giving a vehicle as a gift, the transfer process is essentially the same as transferring a title when a vehicle is sold. You may or may not need to provide a letter of gift to the county depending on the county (see the note below). The recipient will pay all applicable taxes when registering the vehicle.

Here's what to do:

1. Have the giver date and sign the title over to you.
2. Have the giver write "GIFT" as the purchase price on the title.
3. Have the giver hand you the current emissions inspection certificate, if applicable.
4. Go to your county DMV office with these documents, proper identification and proof of insurance. Be prepared to pay fees, which vary by county and vehicle.

NOTE: You may want to check with your county office for specifics, for there does not seem to be a statewide consensus on what's required. Some only require writing the word "GIFT" as the title's purchase price. While other county officials insist, in addition to writing the word "GIFT," on also providing a Letter of Gift containing: the car's make, model, year and vehicle identification number; date of transfer; and the signatures of the buyer and seller.

Donating a Vehicle

Options abound when it comes to donating your vehicle. Go to our Car Donation page for the full scoop.

To improve chances of receiving a substantial tax credit for your donation, give thought to consulting a tax attorney.

Inheriting a Vehicle

After someone passes away, a rightful heir can claim the deceased owner's vehicle. Because some circumstances vary, consider consulting a probate attorney for legal advice.

If you're the heir to a vehicle, you must wait at least 10 days following the date of death, before bringing the following documents to your county DMV office:

1. A certified copy of the death certificate.
2. A copy of the will or court order granting you ownership rights.
3. The vehicle's title.
4. Your driver's license.
5. Payment for all applicable fees.

Depending on your situation, you more than likely will also have to pay for registration, new plates, and, depending on where you live, an emission inspection.

Don't overlook getting insurance on the vehicle if you plan to take it for a spin on Colorado roads. You compare rates at our Insurance Center.

Because every scenario is different, call your county DMV office for information specific to your situation.

Making Name Corrections

Changing a Name

1. Sign-off on the title as the seller with your old name, and sign-on as the buyer with your new name.
2. Depending on your situation, have a divorce decree, marriage certificate or court order.
3. Have proper identification.
4. Bring all of the documents to your county DMV office and pay a $7.20 fee.

If you lack the proper documents to support your name change claim (birth certificate, marriage certificate, court decree), you can get around this problem by ordering one of those vital records. You can find more definitive information at our Changing Your Name page.

Deleting a Name

1. Both parties must sign-off as sellers.
2. The person retaining the title must then sign-on as the buyer.
3. Bring the title and proper ID to your county DMV office and pay a $7.20 fee.

Adding a Name

1. The owner of the title must sign-off as seller, and then both parties must sign-on as buyers.
2. Bring the title to your county DMV office and pay a $7.20 fee.

Your Opinion Matters To Us!