Title Transfers in Colorado

How to Complete a Car Title Transfer in Colorado
  1. Get the vehicle title and other documents from the seller.
  2. Take the vehicle documents, other required forms and title application to your county title office.
  3. Pay title fees, registration fees, and taxes.

Continue reading for more details about Colorado vehicle title transfers.

New to Colorado?

When you move to Colorado, you have 90 days to title and register your vehicle with the CO Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

To apply for an out-of-state vehicle title transfer, you'll need:

  • The Application for Title and/or Registration (Form DR 2395).
    • Complete the page titled “Joint Tenancy with Rights of Survivorship Acknowledgement of Intent" IF there is more than 1 owner.
  • Proof of Colorado car insurance.
  • A form of Secure and Verifiable Identification.
  • A document to verify the weight of your vehicle, such as:
    • The car title.
    • A valid registration certificate.
    • A certified weight slip.
  • A Verification of Vehicle Identification Number (Form DR 2698)*, which must be completed by one of the following licensed Colorado professionals:
    • Law enforcement officer.
    • Vehicle dealer.
    • Emissions inspection station.
      • EXCEPTION: If your vehicle was purchased brand new, and you have documentation stating that it was a new purchase, you are exempt from this requirement.
  • Payment for DMV title transfer fees and taxes.

You Colorado car title should arrive by mail within 6 weeks. If you have a lien on the vehicle, your lienholder will receive the title.

Buying and Selling a Vehicle

NOTE: When you buy a vehicle from a dealership, they'll usually process the DMV title transfer and registration paperwork for you.

When you buy or sell a car in a private sale in Colorado, you are responsible for completing the auto title transfer process through the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Selling a Vehicle

When you sell your car or other motor vehicle, you must give the buyer:

  • The CO vehicle title, including:
    • All owners' signatures.
    • The date of the sale.
    • The price paid for the vehicle.
    • The odometer reading.
    • The name and address of the buyer.
  • An emissions inspection certificate IF the buyer's county requires one.
  • A Bill of Sale if:
    • The buyer has to drive the vehicle before it can be registered because the sale has taken place after normal business hours.
    • There is no space for the odometer reading on the title.
      AND/OR
    • You and/or the buyer want proof that the vehicle was bought.

Be sure that you keep your license plates, which you can usually transfer to your next vehicle. They buyer is responsible for completing the auto title transfer with the CO DMV and pay the vehicle title transfer fee.

NOTE: If you do not have your vehicle title or it is damaged, you must apply for a duplicate title before transferring it to the buyer.

Buying a Vehicle in CO

NOTE: The CO DMV recommends that you fully research a vehicle's history before buying it, including checking the DMV Motor Vehicle Verification System to make sure the car isn't stolen.

Don't Get Stuck With a Lemon!

A complete vehicle history report can give you peace of mind when buying a vehicle. Order a report today to learn about any damages that the vehicle has had and make a smart decision.

NOTE: If you bought the vehicle “after hours," you'll need to get a Bill of Sale from the seller in order to drive it home without titling and registering it. See the CO DMV website under “Seller's Responsibilities" for more information.

To complete a CO DMV title transfer, go in person to your county vehicle office. You'll need:

  • The vehicle title with ALL of the following information:
    • All sellers' signatures.
    • The sale date.
    • The sale price.
    • The car's mileage, also called odometer disclosure.
    • Your name and address.
  • An emissions inspection if it's required in your Colorado county.
  • A Bill of Sale if:
    • There isn't space for the odometer reading on the title.
      AND/OR
    • You and/or the seller want a receipt for the vehicle.
  • A completed Application for Title and/or Registration (Form DR 2395).
    • IF the vehicle will have more than 1 owner, ALSO complete the page of the application entitled “Joint Tenancy with Rights of Survivorship Acknowledgement of Intent".
  • Proof of auto insurance.
  • A form of Secure and Verifiable Identification.
  • The lien document (original or certified copy), if you're financing the vehicle or have any other liens.
  • Payment for car title transfer fees and taxes.

You should receive your vehicle title within 6 weeks. If there's a lien on the vehicle, the title will be sent to the lienholder.

NOTE: You will also register your vehicle when you transfer the title. Visit our Car Registration page for document requirements and fees.

Out-of-State Auto Title Transfers

If you buy a motor vehicle outside of Colorado, you'll need to provide some additional information to complete a CO DMV title transfer:

  • A document to verify the vehicle's weight, such as a:
    • Car title.
    • Valid registration certificate.
    • Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO).
    • Certified weight slip.
  • A Verification of Vehicle Identification Number (Form DR 2698), which must be completed by a licensed Colorado:
    • Law enforcement officer.
    • Vehicle dealer.
    • Emissions inspection station.

Take your documents to your CO county motor vehicle office to complete the car title transfer and vehicle registration.

You must complete a vehicle title transfer in Colorado when you gift, donate, or inherit a vehicle.

Gifting a Vehicle

When you give or receive a vehicle as a gift in Colorado, you will transfer ownership by completing a DMV title transfer.

Contact the CO DMV at (303) 205-5600 to learn more about the specific car title transfer requirements for gifted vehicles.

Donating a Motor Vehicle

If you donate a vehicle to a Colorado charity, you must transfer the title to the organization.

Contact the CO DMV at (303) 205-5600 to learn how.

Inheriting a Car

If you inherit a motor vehicle, you'll have to complete a Colorado DMV title transfer in order to transfer ownership.

In most cases, the CO DMV will need a copy of the death certificate and other documents that verify your inheritance, like a copy of the will.

Those requirements vary depending on your relationship to the deceased person and the details of their estate.

Contact the CO DMV at (303) 205-5600 for a list of items required and the auto title transfer fee.

Title Transfer Fees in Colorado

The auto title transfer fees and and other related fees, such as vehicle registration and taxes, are based on your:

  • Vehicle.
    AND
  • Colorado county of residence.

You can contact your county motor vehicle office for information.

Change Your Name or Address

If you change your name or move to a new Colorado address, you can update the information on your motor vehicle title.

You may have to pay a fee for a new title.

Contact the CO DMV at (303) 205-5600 or your county's motor vehicle office for information about changing your auto title.

Visit our Name Change and Address Change pages to learn how to update your driver's license and vehicle registration.

Replace Your CO Car Title

If your vehicle title is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a duplicate from the Colorado DMV:

  • By mail.
    OR
  • In person.

See our page Replacing a Lost Title for document and fee information.

Remove a Lien from Your Title

Once you've paid off your lien, you can order a replacement title to have the lienholder information removed.

In addition to the duplicate title requirements, you must also submit a lien release that includes all of the following information:

  • Your vehicle's year, make, and vehicle identification number (VIN).
  • The names of all owners.
  • The lienholder's signature.
  • The date the lien was satisfied.

If the lienholder is a business, the lien release must be on company letterhead.

Forms

DR 2698
Verification of Vehicle Identification Number
Form required to verify the VIN on a Colorado vehicle previously titled/registered out-of-state OR to correct a title. Must be completed by a DMV-approved VIN verification provider.
DR 2395
Application for Title and/or Registration
Application to title AND/OR register a vehicle with the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles.
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