What you need to do to transfer a Colorado vehicle title

To transfer a vehicle title in Colorado, you submit Form MV-14 (process for Colorado Title) 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 if you submit by mail, or you can complete it in person at a local DMV office for faster processing. You must transfer the title within 30 days of purchase, though the state will still accept late transfers with additional documentation.

The specific documents and fees depend on whether you are buying from a private seller, a dealership, or inheriting the vehicle. Colorado also requires a VIN inspection in certain cases—when the title is from out of state, when there is no title available, or when the vehicle is older than 10 years and the odometer reading cannot be verified. This inspection must be done by an authorized Colorado law enforcement agency or a certified VIN inspector.

Key Takeaways

  • Submit Form MV-14 to the Colorado DMV with a bill of sale, proof of ownership, and the correct fee within 30 days of purchase.
  • A VIN inspection is required for out-of-state titles, vehicles without a title, and some older vehicles, and must be completed before you submit your process.
  • Processing takes 7 to 10 business days by mail or same-day service at a DMV office, though in-person service times vary by location.
  • Colorado charges a title transfer fee based on the vehicle's value; you can estimate this using the state's fee schedule or call your local DMV office.
  • If you buy from a dealership, the dealer often handles the title transfer for you, but you should confirm this before leaving the lot.

Documents you need to bring or submit

The core documents for any title transfer are Form MV-14 (completed and signed), the current title or proof of ownership, and a bill of sale. The bill of sale should include the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, the date of sale, and the signatures of both buyer and seller. Colorado does not have a required bill of sale form, but you can use the one provided by the DMV or write one yourself as long as it contains these details.

If the vehicle is titled in someone else's name or if there are multiple owners, you need written consent from all current title holders. If you are transferring a title after inheriting the vehicle, bring the death certificate and any probate documents or affidavit of heirship that Colorado requires. For vehicles with a lien (a loan against the car), the lienholder's name appears on the title, and you may need their written release or a letter stating the lien has been paid off.

Bring proof of Colorado residency—a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days. You will also need a valid photo ID. If you are submitting by mail, send copies of these documents, not originals, because the DMV does not return them.

VIN inspections and when you need one

A VIN inspection verifies that the vehicle identification number on the title matches the number stamped on the vehicle itself. Colorado requires this inspection in three situations: when you are transferring a title from another state, when the vehicle has no title (often called a "no title" or "lost title" transfer), and when the vehicle is 10 years old or older and the odometer reading on the title cannot be verified or is missing.

You can get a VIN inspection from any Colorado law enforcement agency (local police or sheriff's office) or from a certified VIN inspector. Many police departments offer this service for free or a small fee, usually $5 to $15. Call ahead to confirm hours and whether you need an appointment. The inspection takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Once completed, the inspector provides a signed VIN inspection report that you submit with your title process.

If you buy from a dealership and the vehicle is already titled in Colorado, you typically do not need a VIN inspection. However, if you buy a used vehicle from a private seller and the title is from another state, or if the title is missing, plan for the inspection before you submit your process to the DMV.

Title transfer fees and how they are calculated

Colorado charges a title transfer fee based on the vehicle's purchase price or assessed value. The fee schedule changes annually and is set by the state legislature. As of recent years, the fee ranges from about $7 for vehicles under $500 to $97 for vehicles valued over $25,000, but these amounts vary. You can view the current fee schedule on the Colorado DMV website or call your local DMV office to confirm the exact fee for your vehicle's value.

In addition to the title fee, you may owe sales tax on the vehicle if you purchased it from a private seller in Colorado. If you bought it from a dealership, sales tax is usually included in the purchase price. You also pay a $10 registration fee if you are registering the vehicle at the same time as transferring the title, which most people do.

If you submit your process by mail, include a check or money order payable to the Colorado Department of Revenue. If you go to a DMV office in person, you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card, depending on the office.

Submitting your process by mail or in person

To submit by mail, send Form MV-14, your documents, and payment to the Colorado DMV address listed on the form. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days from the date the DMV receives your process. Mail your process to the address on the form; sending it to the wrong address delays processing. Include a copy of everything you send, and keep the copies for your records.

To submit in person, visit a local Colorado DMV office. You can find the office nearest you and check hours on the Colorado DMV website. In-person service is usually faster—many offices can issue a temporary title the same day and mail the permanent title within a few days. Wait times vary by location and time of day; some offices are busier in the morning or on certain days of the week. You can call ahead to ask about current wait times.

If you are buying from a dealership, ask whether they will handle the title transfer for you. Many dealerships submit the paperwork on behalf of the buyer, though some charge a small fee for this service. Confirm this arrangement before you leave the lot, and ask for a receipt showing what documents they are submitting on your behalf.

What happens if the title is from out of state

When you move to Colorado or buy a vehicle titled in another state, you must transfer the title to Colorado within 30 days of establishing residency or taking ownership. Submit the out-of-state title along with Form MV-14 and a bill of sale. Colorado will not issue a new title until the out-of-state title is received and processed.

An out-of-state title almost always requires a VIN inspection, because Colorado verifies that the vehicle identification number on the title matches the vehicle. Schedule the inspection before you submit your process. Some out-of-state titles may have liens or other issues that Colorado's system needs to clear before issuing a new title; this can add 1 to 2 weeks to the process.

If the out-of-state title is lost or you cannot obtain it from the previous owner, you can request a duplicate from the state where the vehicle was titled. This process varies by state and can take several weeks. Alternatively, you can explore for a Colorado title without the previous title by submitting an affidavit explaining why you do not have it, along with a VIN inspection report. The DMV will review your process and may request additional documentation.

Transferring a title after inheriting a vehicle

If you inherit a vehicle, you need to transfer the title into your name. The documents required depend on whether the vehicle owner left a will and whether the estate went through probate. If there is a will and the vehicle is listed in it, bring a certified copy of the death certificate and a copy of the will or a probate court order showing that you are the beneficiary. If there is no will or the estate is small enough to avoid probate, Colorado allows you to use an affidavit of heirship, which is a sworn statement signed by you and a witness stating that you are the legal heir.

The current title (in the deceased owner's name) and your bill of sale or transfer document must also be submitted. Some Colorado counties provide a form for this; others accept a straightforward letter stating the transfer of ownership. Contact your local probate court or the DMV to confirm what form your county requires. A VIN inspection is usually not required for inherited vehicles unless the title is from out of state or missing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I buy a vehicle and the seller does not have the title?

You can still transfer the title by submitting an affidavit explaining why the title is not available, along with a bill of sale and a VIN inspection report. The DMV will review your process and may request additional proof of ownership, such as a receipt from the seller or evidence that you paid for the vehicle. This process takes longer than a standard transfer, usually 2 to 3 weeks.

Can I drive the vehicle before the new title arrives?

If you submit your process in person at a DMV office, you receive a temporary title or registration receipt that allows you to drive the vehicle while the permanent title is being processed. If you submit by mail, ask the DMV whether they will issue a temporary title; some offices do, and some do not. Contact your local DMV office before submitting to confirm their policy.

What if I made a mistake on Form MV-14?

If you catch the error before submitting, correct it and resubmit. If the DMV receives the form with an error, they will contact you and ask you to submit a corrected form or provide additional information. This delays processing by 1 to 2 weeks. Double-check all information—VIN, purchase price, owner names, and signatures—before mailing or submitting in person.

Do I need to transfer the title if I am just registering the vehicle?

Yes. In Colorado, title transfer and vehicle registration are separate processes, but you must do both. You can submit both applications at the same time using Form MV-14 for the title and Form MV-44 for registration. If you only register without transferring the title, the vehicle remains in the previous owner's name, and you will not have legal ownership.

How long does a title transfer take if I use a dealership?

If the dealership handles the transfer for you, processing time is the same as if you submitted it yourself—7 to 10 business days by mail or same-day service if submitted in person. Some dealerships submit applications in person, which speeds up the process. Ask the dealership when they will submit the paperwork and when you can expect to receive your new title.