What you need to do to transfer a title in Colorado

To transfer a vehicle title in Colorado, you submit an process for Colorado Title (Form MV-14) to the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles, along with proof of ownership, a bill of sale, and payment. The process takes about 7 to 10 business days once the DMV receives your complete paperwork. You can submit by mail, in person at a DMV office, or through an authorized third-party vendor like a county clerk's office.

The specific documents and fees depend on whether you're buying a used car from a private seller, inheriting a vehicle, receiving one as a gift, or trading in at a dealership. Dealerships typically handle their own title transfers, but private sales require you to initiate the process yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • Colorado requires Form MV-14 (process for Colorado Title), a bill of sale, and proof of ownership from the previous owner to transfer a title.
  • The title transfer fee in Colorado is $20, plus any applicable sales tax on the vehicle's purchase price if it's a private sale.
  • You can submit your title transfer process by mail to the DMV, in person at a local office, or through a county clerk's office that acts as a DMV agent.
  • The DMV typically processes complete applications within 7 to 10 business days and mails the new title to your address on file.
  • If you buy from a dealer, they usually handle the title transfer for you, but you should confirm this before leaving the lot.

Documents the Colorado DMV requires for a title transfer

The foundation of any title transfer is Form MV-14, which you can read from the Colorado Department of Revenue website or pick up at any DMV office. This form asks for your name, address, the vehicle identification number (VIN), odometer reading, and details about the previous owner.

You also need proof that the previous owner actually owned the vehicle. This is usually the original title, but if the title is lost or damaged, the previous owner can request a duplicate from the Colorado DMV using Form MV-14D. If you're buying from a private seller, ask them to bring the title to the sale so you can verify it matches the vehicle and their ID.

A bill of sale is required for private transactions. Colorado does not have a state-mandated bill of sale form, but you can use any document that shows the seller's name, the buyer's name, the vehicle details (make, model, year, VIN), the sale price, and the date of sale. Both parties should sign it. If you're inheriting a vehicle or receiving one as a gift, you'll need different documentation—typically a death certificate for inheritance or a gift affidavit for gifts.

Title transfer fees and sales tax in Colorado

The title transfer fee itself is $20. However, if you purchased the vehicle from a private seller, Colorado also charges sales tax on the purchase price. The tax rate depends on your county and local jurisdiction and ranges from about 4% to 8% of the vehicle's sale price. You pay this tax when you submit your title transfer process.

If you're transferring a title for a vehicle you inherited or received as a gift, you may still owe sales tax depending on the circumstances. The DMV will calculate this based on the fair market value of the vehicle. If you're unsure whether tax applies to your situation, contact your local DMV office before submitting your process.

Dealerships typically collect sales tax at the time of purchase, so you won't pay it again during the title transfer. However, confirm this with the dealership before you leave.

Where to submit your title transfer process

You have three main options for submitting your Colorado title transfer: by mail, in person at a DMV office, or through a county clerk's office that serves as a DMV agent.

If you mail your process, send it to the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles, 1881 Pierce Street, Lakewood, CO 80214. Include Form MV-14, the original title, the bill of sale, payment for the $20 fee plus any sales tax, and a copy of your ID. Mail typically takes 7 to 10 business days to process once received, but add several days for postal delivery.

For faster service, visit a DMV office in person. Colorado has DMV locations in Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and other cities. You can find the nearest office and current hours on the Colorado Department of Revenue website. Bring all original documents, your ID, and payment. Processing at an in-person visit is usually when ready, though you'll receive your new title by mail within a few days.

Many county clerk's offices in Colorado are authorized to handle title transfers on behalf of the DMV. This can be faster than mailing to the state office and more convenient than driving to a DMV location. Call your county clerk's office to confirm they offer this service and what their hours are.

Timeline: how long a Colorado title transfer takes

The Colorado DMV processes complete applications within 7 to 10 business days. This clock starts when the DMV receives your paperwork, not when you mail it. If you submit by mail, add 3 to 5 business days for postal delivery each way, so the total time from mailing to receiving your new title can be 2 to 3 weeks.

If you submit in person at a DMV office or county clerk's office, the process is processed when ready, and you'll receive your new title by mail within a few days. This is the fastest route if you need your title quickly.

The new title will be mailed to the address you provide on Form MV-14. Make sure this address is correct before you submit. If you need to change your address after submitting, contact the DMV directly.

What happens if your title transfer is delayed or rejected

If the DMV cannot process your process, they will contact you by mail or phone to ask for missing information or corrections. Common reasons for delays include a missing signature, an illegible VIN, a bill of sale that doesn't match the title, or incomplete payment. If this happens, respond as quickly as possible with the requested information.

If you submitted by mail and don't hear from the DMV within 2 to 3 weeks, contact the Colorado Department of Revenue to check the status of your process. You can call their customer service line or visit a local DMV office with a copy of your process and payment receipt.

In rare cases, the DMV may reject an process if the title has a lien (a loan against the vehicle) that hasn't been satisfied. The previous owner must contact their lender to release the lien before the title can be transferred. This typically takes a few days to a week.

Title transfers when buying from a Colorado dealership

When you buy a vehicle from a Colorado dealership, the dealer usually handles the title transfer as part of the sale. They will collect the necessary documents from you, pay the transfer fee and sales tax, and submit the process to the DMV on your behalf. You should receive your new title by mail within 1 to 2 weeks.

Before you leave the dealership, confirm in writing that they will handle the title transfer and ask when you can expect to receive your new title. Get the name and phone number of the person responsible for the transfer so you can follow up if needed. Some dealerships may ask you to sign a power of attorney form authorizing them to act on your behalf.

If you don't receive your title within 3 weeks, contact the dealership to check the status. If they claim to have submitted it but you still haven't received it after another week, contact the Colorado DMV directly with your process details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive the vehicle while my title transfer is being processed?

Yes, you can drive the vehicle during the transfer process. However, you should carry proof that you own it—either the original title or a bill of sale signed by the previous owner. If you're stopped by police, show them the bill of sale and explain that the title transfer is pending. The new title will arrive by mail once processing is complete.

What if the previous owner's name doesn't match the title exactly?

Contact the previous owner and ask them to request a corrected title from the Colorado DMV using Form MV-14D before you submit your transfer process. If the name mismatch is minor (like a middle initial), the DMV may still process your transfer, but it's safer to have the title corrected first to avoid delays.

Do I need to get the vehicle inspected before transferring the title?

Colorado does not require a vehicle inspection for title transfer. However, if you're registering the vehicle for the first time in Colorado, you may need an emissions test depending on the vehicle's age and your county. This is separate from the title transfer process.

What if I lose the bill of sale after the sale?

If you no longer have the bill of sale, contact the previous owner and ask them to sign a new one. If you can't reach them, you can submit a notarized affidavit to the Colorado DMV explaining the situation and providing the vehicle details and sale information. The DMV will review this on a case-by-case basis.

Can someone else submit my title transfer process for me?

Yes, you can authorize someone else to submit your process by giving them a signed power of attorney form. However, the simplest approach is to submit the process yourself by mail or in person. If you use a third party, make sure they have all original documents and payment, and confirm they understand the process before handing over your paperwork.