What a Colorado bill of sale must contain
A Colorado motor vehicle bill of sale is a document that records the transfer of ownership from seller to buyer. It is not the same as a title — the title is the state document that proves legal ownership. The bill of sale is your record that the transaction happened, and it protects both parties if questions arise later about who owned the vehicle on a specific date.
Colorado law does not mandate a specific form for a bill of sale, but the document must include certain information to be useful. You need the seller's name and address, the buyer's name and address, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the year and make of the vehicle, the sale price in dollars, and the date of the sale. Both the seller and buyer should sign and date the document. Many people add the odometer reading at the time of sale, though Colorado does not require it.
The bill of sale does not need to be notarized in Colorado, and you do not need to file it with the state. It is a private record between buyer and seller. However, keeping a copy is essential — the buyer will need it when registering the vehicle, and the seller should keep one as proof of the sale in case the vehicle is later involved in an accident or legal issue while still registered in the seller's name.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado does not require a specific bill of sale form, but the document must show the seller's name and address, buyer's name and address, VIN, year and make, sale price, and signatures from both parties.
- The bill of sale does not need to be notarized or filed with the state — it is a private record that protects both buyer and seller.
- The buyer will need a copy when registering the vehicle with the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles, so keep the original and make copies before handing it over.
- Adding the odometer reading and the condition of the vehicle (as-is, with warranty, etc.) is not required but creates a clearer record of what was sold.
Where to get a bill of sale form
You can write a bill of sale on plain paper or use a template. The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles does not provide an official form, but many sources offer free templates that meet Colorado's requirements. The American Automobile Association (AAA), the National Association of Independent Insurers, and various legal document websites all offer downloadable templates you can print and fill in by hand.
If you prefer a more formal approach, you can purchase a bill of sale pad from an office supply store — these are inexpensive booklets with pre-printed forms and carbon copies so you and the buyer each get a signed original. Some car dealers and title services also sell bill of sale forms. The content is the same regardless of source; what matters is that you include all required information and both parties sign.
What information the buyer needs from you
Before you write the bill of sale, gather the details you will need. The VIN is the most critical piece — it is a 17-character code found on the driver's side of the dashboard (visible through the windshield), on the driver's side door jamb, or in your vehicle registration documents. The year, make, and model should match your registration and title. The sale price is whatever you and the buyer agreed to, written as a number (for example, $8,500.00).
You will also need your current address and the buyer's address. If the buyer is financing the vehicle through a lender, ask whether the lender has any requirements for how the bill of sale should be worded — some lenders want specific language about the condition of the vehicle or whether any warranty is included. It is easier to add this language now than to rewrite the document later.
Signing and exchanging the bill of sale
Both you and the buyer should sign and date the bill of sale in front of each other, if possible. Print or write two copies — one for you and one for the buyer. Each person signs both copies so that each has a fully signed original. Do not sign a blank bill of sale or one with blank spaces; fill in all information before signing.
The buyer should receive their signed copy at the time of sale, along with the keys and any other documents (maintenance records, warranty information, etc.). Keep your signed copy in a safe place. You will need it if the vehicle is later involved in an accident or if the buyer fails to register it and it is involved in a crime — your bill of sale proves you no longer owned it on that date.
How the bill of sale connects to title transfer
The bill of sale is separate from the title transfer process. After the sale, the buyer must take the bill of sale, the original title, and a completed process for a Colorado Certificate of Title (Form MV-14) to a Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles office or an authorized county clerk's office. The buyer pays a title transfer fee (the amount varies by county) and the vehicle is registered in the buyer's name.
You, as the seller, do not need to do anything with the bill of sale at the DMV. Your responsibility is to sign it and provide it to the buyer. However, you should notify the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles that you have sold the vehicle. You can do this by submitting a Notice of Sale form or by calling the DMV. This step protects you from liability if the buyer does not register the vehicle promptly and it is involved in an accident or traffic violation.
What to do if the buyer does not register the vehicle
If the vehicle remains registered in your name after the sale, you remain liable for registration fees and potentially for traffic violations or accidents involving the vehicle. To protect yourself, send a written notice to the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles stating that you sold the vehicle on a specific date, to whom, and for what price. Include a copy of the signed bill of sale with your notice. Mail it to the DMV address listed on your registration or submit it online through the Colorado DMV website.
Keep a copy of this notice for your records. If the vehicle is later involved in a problem, you have documentation that you sold it and notified the state. The bill of sale itself is your proof of the transaction; the DMV notice is your proof that you reported the sale.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not leave the sale price blank or write "as agreed" instead of a dollar amount. The price is part of the legal record of the transaction. Do not sign a bill of sale before all information is filled in, and do not let the buyer take the original title before you have a signed bill of sale in your possession. The title should transfer only after the sale is complete and documented.
Avoid using a bill of sale as a substitute for a title transfer. Some sellers mistakenly believe that signing a bill of sale is enough to transfer ownership — it is not. The buyer must file the title transfer with the state for the vehicle to be legally registered in their name. Also, do not assume the buyer will handle the title transfer on their own timeline. If they delay, you remain the registered owner and liable for the vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Colorado require a specific bill of sale form?
No. Colorado law does not mandate a particular form. You can write one on plain paper as long as it includes the seller's and buyer's names and addresses, the VIN, year and make, sale price, and signatures from both parties. Templates are available free online from AAA, insurance companies, and legal document websites.
Do I need to get the bill of sale notarized?
No. Colorado does not require notarization for a bill of sale. Both parties signing and dating the document is sufficient. Notarization adds an extra layer of formality but is not necessary for the document to be valid.
What happens if I sell the vehicle but the buyer never registers it?
You remain the registered owner and liable for registration fees and potential violations. Protect yourself by submitting a Notice of Sale to the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles with a copy of the signed bill of sale. Keep documentation of this notice for your records.
Can I write a bill of sale on any piece of paper?
Yes. As long as the document includes all required information (names, addresses, VIN, year and make, sale price, and signatures), it is valid. Many people use templates or pre-printed forms for clarity and organization, but plain paper works legally.
Should I include the odometer reading on the bill of sale?
Colorado does not require it, but including the odometer reading is a good practice. It creates a clear record of the vehicle's mileage at the time of sale and can be useful if questions arise later about the vehicle's history or condition.