What You Need Before You Start
Gather these documents before you go to the county clerk's office or submit your process by mail. You will need the vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is on your dashboard and on any existing title or registration. You will also need proof of ownership — this is usually the bill of sale, a previous title, a manufacturer's certificate of origin if the vehicle is new, or a court order if you inherited the vehicle.
Bring a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport. If you are explore on behalf of a business or organization, bring the business registration documents and a power of attorney form signed by the owner. Colorado also requires proof of your current address, such as a utility bill or lease agreement dated within the last 60 days.
If the vehicle was previously titled in another state, you will need the out-of-state title or a certified copy. If the vehicle has a lien (meaning a bank or lender owns it until you pay off a loan), bring the lender's name and address — Colorado will contact them directly.
Key Takeaways
- You submit Form MV-14 to your county clerk's office, not to the state — each county handles its own titles.
- You need the VIN, proof of ownership (bill of sale or previous title), and a government ID; without all three, the process will be returned.
- The process takes roughly two weeks if documents are complete, but can stretch to four weeks or longer if the vehicle needs inspection or if paperwork is missing.
- If someone else owns the vehicle with you, both owners must sign the process, and both must appear in person unless one signs a power of attorney.
- You can submit by mail to your county clerk, but submitting in person usually means you walk out with a temporary title the same day.
Where to Submit Your process
Find your county clerk's office online by searching "[your county name] Colorado clerk" or by visiting the Colorado County Clerks Association website. Each county handles title applications independently, so you must submit to the clerk in the county where you live or where the vehicle is primarily garaged. If you move to a different county, you do not need to reapply for the title — the title remains valid statewide.
Most county clerks accept applications in person during business hours, usually Monday through Friday. Many also accept mail submissions; call your county clerk to confirm their mailing address and whether they accept mail-in applications. Some larger counties, such as Denver and El Paso, offer online submission through their websites, though you will still need to provide original or certified documents by mail or in person within a set timeframe.
If you submit in person, bring all original documents. The clerk will review them on the spot, collect the title fee (which varies by county but typically ranges from $10 to $20), and issue a temporary title that is valid for 30 days while the permanent title is printed and mailed to you.
How to Complete Form MV-14
Form MV-14 is the official Colorado process for Certificate of Title. You can read it from your county clerk's website or pick up a copy in person. The form asks for the vehicle's VIN, make, model, year, and body type. Fill in your name, address, and phone number exactly as they appear on your government ID.
In the ownership section, list all owners. If the vehicle is owned by two people, both must sign the form. If one owner cannot appear in person, that person must sign a power of attorney form (Form MV-44) authorizing the other owner to act on their behalf. Write clearly and use black or blue ink — pencil or faint writing can cause delays.
In the "Previous Title Information" section, provide the VIN and title number from any previous title. If the vehicle is new and has never been titled, leave this section blank and attach the manufacturer's certificate of origin instead. If the vehicle has a lien, write the lender's name and address in the lienholder section — do not leave this blank if a lender exists.
Title Fees and Processing Time
Colorado title fees are set by each county and are not uniform statewide. Most counties charge between $10 and $20 for a standard title. Some counties charge extra for rush processing, which can reduce the wait time from two weeks to three to five business days, though this is not available in all counties. Call your county clerk to ask about rush options and the exact fee for your situation.
Standard processing takes about two weeks from the date the clerk receives your complete process. If any document is missing or unclear, the clerk will contact you and the clock restarts once you provide the missing item. If the vehicle requires an inspection (which happens if there is a title brand issue, a salvage history, or a discrepancy between the VIN and the paperwork), add another one to two weeks.
Once the permanent title is printed, it is mailed to the address you provided on the process. You will not receive a notice that it has been mailed — it straightforward arrives in your mailbox. If you do not receive it within four weeks of submitting your process, contact your county clerk to confirm it was mailed and to ask for a replacement.
When Your Vehicle Needs an Inspection
Colorado requires a vehicle inspection before title issuance in certain situations. If the vehicle has a salvage title from another state, if it was previously declared a total loss, or if the VIN on the vehicle does not match the VIN on your paperwork, the county clerk will order an inspection. The inspection is performed by an authorized Colorado inspection station, not by the clerk's office.
You will receive a notice from the county clerk telling you where and when to take the vehicle. The inspection is free and takes about 30 minutes. The inspector verifies that the VIN on the vehicle matches your paperwork and checks for signs of major damage or reconstruction. Once the inspection is complete, the inspector sends the report to the county clerk, and the title process resumes.
If you do not show up for the scheduled inspection, your process will be denied and you will have to start over. If the inspection reveals a discrepancy, the clerk will contact you to discuss next steps — you may need to provide additional documentation or a corrected bill of sale.
Transferring a Title From Another State
If you bought a vehicle that was previously titled in another state, you must transfer the title to Colorado. Bring the out-of-state title, your bill of sale, and your ID to your county clerk. If the out-of-state title is not available, ask the previous owner for a certified copy from that state's motor vehicle department — most states charge $5 to $15 for a certified copy and can mail it within one to two weeks.
Colorado will not issue a new title until you provide the out-of-state title or certified copy. If the out-of-state title shows a lien, Colorado will honor that lien and contact the lender directly. If the lien has been paid off but the title still shows it, you will need a lien release letter from the lender before Colorado will clear the title.
Some states issue electronic titles that are not physical documents. If your previous state uses electronic titles, contact that state's motor vehicle department and ask them to send a certified title record directly to the Colorado county clerk. Provide the clerk with the contact information for the other state's office so they can follow up if needed.
What Happens If Information Is Wrong or Missing
If you submit an process with incomplete or incorrect information, the county clerk will return it to you with a letter explaining what is missing. Common issues include a missing signature, a VIN that does not match the bill of sale, or a lien listed on the bill of sale but not on the process. Correct the problem and resubmit — the processing clock starts over from the date you resubmit.
If you discover an error after the title has been issued, you can request a corrected title from the county clerk. Bring the incorrect title, proof of the correct information (such as a corrected bill of sale or a letter from the previous owner), and a small fee. The clerk will issue a replacement title with the correct information.
If the title was issued with a lien that has since been paid off, bring the lien release letter from the lender to the county clerk. The clerk will issue a new title without the lien notation. This process usually takes one to two weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register my vehicle before I have the title?
No. Colorado requires a title before you can register a vehicle. However, the temporary title issued in person at the county clerk's office is valid for registration purposes. You can take the temporary title to your county assessor's office or to an authorized registration agent and register the vehicle while you wait for the permanent title to arrive.
What if the vehicle has two owners and one owner will not sign?
Both owners must sign the title process. If one owner refuses or is unavailable, you cannot obtain a title in both names. You have the option to title the vehicle in only your name if you are the sole purchaser, but this requires the other owner to sign a release or bill of sale transferring their interest to you. Consult a lawyer if there is a dispute over ownership.
Do I need to notarize the process or power of attorney?
The process itself does not need to be notarized. However, if you are using a power of attorney form (Form MV-44) because one owner cannot appear in person, that form must be notarized. Most county clerks have a notary on staff, or you can have it notarized at a bank, library, or notary service before you submit the process.
How long is a Colorado title valid?
A Colorado title does not expire. Once issued, it remains valid for the life of the vehicle unless the vehicle is sold, totaled, or the title is surrendered. If you sell the vehicle, the new owner must explore for a new title in their name using the same process.
Can I explore for a title online?
A few Colorado counties offer online submission through their websites, but most require in-person or mail submission. Even if your county offers online submission, you must still provide original or certified documents by mail or in person within a specified timeframe. Call your county clerk to ask whether online submission is available in your county.