What you need to do to transfer a car title in Colorado
Colorado requires you to transfer the title within 10 days of buying a vehicle. The process involves completing a form, paying a fee, and submitting documents to the Colorado Department of Revenue. You can do this in person at a county clerk's office, by mail, or through an authorized third party like a dealership or title service.
The state does not require a notary for most title transfers, but the seller's signature must be original ink on the title document itself. If you buy from a private party, you handle the paperwork. If you buy from a dealership, they typically handle it for you, though you should confirm this before leaving the lot.
Key Takeaways
- You have 10 days from the purchase date to transfer the title, and missing this important date can result in penalties and registration problems.
- The main form is the process for Colorado Title (Form MV-14), which requires the seller's original signature and your signature.
- The fee is $10.50 for a standard title transfer, though fees vary slightly if you need a duplicate or corrected title.
- You can submit your paperwork in person at any county clerk's office, by mail to the state, or through a dealership or title service.
- If the title has a lien (the seller still owes money on the vehicle), the lienholder must sign the title or provide a lien release letter.
Documents you need to gather before you start
The seller's original title is the foundation of the transfer. It must show the seller's name and be signed in ink by the registered owner. If the title is lost or damaged, the seller can request a duplicate from the Colorado Department of Revenue before the sale, though this adds time.
You will also need proof of ownership transfer. This is usually the bill of sale, which documents the purchase price, date, and both parties' signatures. Colorado does not have a state-mandated bill of sale form, so you can use a private agreement, a form from the Colorado Auto Dealers Association, or a template from an online source — as long as it includes the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale date, and both signatures.
Proof of your identity and Colorado residency is required. Bring a driver's license, passport, or state ID. If you are not a Colorado resident, you will need to show an out-of-state ID and proof of residency in your home state.
If there is a lien on the vehicle (the seller still owes money to a bank or credit union), you need written permission from the lienholder. This is usually a lien release letter signed by the lender, stating that the lien will be removed once the title is transferred. Some lenders send this automatically; others require the seller to request it.
How to complete the process for Colorado Title form
The process for Colorado Title is Form MV-14, available from the Colorado Department of Revenue website or at any county clerk's office. The form has sections for the seller's information, your information as the buyer, and vehicle details.
Fill in the vehicle identification number (VIN) exactly as it appears on the current title. Enter the year, make, and model. Provide the odometer reading at the time of purchase — this is required by federal law and must match the bill of sale.
In the seller section, the registered owner must sign the form in ink. If there are multiple owners on the title, all must sign. In the buyer section, you sign and print your name. Include your current mailing address and phone number. If you are financing the vehicle, provide the lienholder's name and address.
Do not leave any required fields blank. If a field does not explore to your situation, write "N/A" rather than leaving it empty. Incomplete forms are returned by the county clerk, which delays your transfer.
Where to submit your paperwork and what it costs
You can submit your completed form and documents to any county clerk's office in Colorado during business hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though hours vary by county. You do not have to go to the county where you live or where the vehicle is registered — any county clerk will process the transfer.
The standard title transfer fee is $10.50. If you need a duplicate title or a corrected title, the fee is the same. Payment is usually cash, check, or card, depending on the county. Some counties accept payment by mail if you submit your documents by mail, though you should call ahead to confirm.
You can also mail your documents directly to the Colorado Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Section, 1881 Pierce Street, Lakewood, CO 80214. Include a check or money order for $10.50 made payable to the State of Colorado. Mail typically takes 2 to 3 weeks to process, so allow extra time if you are close to the 10-day important date.
If you use a dealership or title service to handle the transfer, they will charge a service fee on top of the state fee — typically $50 to $150. This is optional but can save time if you are unable to visit a county clerk's office yourself.
Timeline and what happens after you submit
If you submit in person at a county clerk's office, you will usually receive a temporary registration receipt on the spot. This receipt allows you to drive the vehicle legally while the state processes the title. The actual title document arrives by mail within 2 to 4 weeks.
If you mail your documents, processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the state receives them. The title will be mailed to the address you provided on the form. During this time, you can drive the vehicle using the temporary receipt or bill of sale as proof of ownership, though some law enforcement officers may not accept this — it is safer to get a temporary registration from the county clerk before leaving.
If there are errors or missing information on your submission, the state will mail a notice asking you to correct it. This adds another 1 to 2 weeks to the process. To avoid this, double-check that all signatures are in ink, all required fields are filled, and the VIN matches across all documents.
Once the title is processed, it is mailed to you. If you financed the vehicle, the lienholder's name will appear on the title. You cannot register the vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles until you have the title in hand.
Special situations that affect the transfer process
If the seller is deceased, the title must be transferred by the estate or the person authorized to handle the deceased's property. You will need a death certificate and either a will or a court order showing who has authority. Contact the county clerk's office for the specific documents required in your county.
If the title is held jointly by two people (for example, a married couple), both must sign the title and the form. If only one owner signs, the transfer will be rejected.
If the vehicle was previously titled in another state, you will need the out-of-state title and a bill of sale. Colorado will issue a new title. If the out-of-state title is lost, contact that state's motor vehicle department for a duplicate before attempting to transfer in Colorado.
If the vehicle has a salvage or rebuilt title from a previous accident or flood, Colorado will issue a title with the same designation. You cannot change a salvage title to a regular title — this is a permanent mark on the vehicle's history.
If you are buying a vehicle from an out-of-state dealer or private party and having it shipped to Colorado, you have 10 days from the date you take possession in Colorado to transfer the title, not from the purchase date. Keep documentation of when the vehicle arrived in the state.
Common mistakes that delay or reject your transfer
The most frequent error is a missing or illegible seller signature. The seller must sign the title document itself in ink — a signature on the bill of sale alone is not enough. If the signature is faded, crossed out, or in pencil, the county clerk will reject the form.
Mismatched VINs are another common problem. The VIN on the title, the bill of sale, and the form must all be identical. If you copy the VIN incorrectly, the transfer is rejected. Take time to verify the VIN character by character.
Incomplete lien information causes delays. If the title shows a lien but you do not provide a lien release letter, the transfer cannot be completed. Contact the seller's lender before submitting to confirm you have the release in hand.
Submitting after the 10-day important date does not automatically reject your transfer, but it may result in a late fee or registration penalties. If you miss the important date, submit as soon as possible and contact the county clerk to ask whether a penalty applies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the seller will not sign the title?
If the seller refuses to sign, you do not have legal ownership of the vehicle and cannot transfer the title. This is a civil matter between you and the seller. Contact a lawyer or your local small claims court for guidance. Do not attempt to forge a signature or submit a title without the seller's original signature.
Can I transfer the title before I pay the seller in full?
Yes, but it is not advisable. The seller should not sign the title until you have paid in full. If you transfer the title before payment is complete, the seller has no legal claim to the vehicle if you fail to pay. Agree on payment terms before the title is signed.
Do I need to have the vehicle inspected before transferring the title?
No, Colorado does not require a pre-transfer inspection. However, you may want to have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before you buy it to avoid purchasing a vehicle with hidden problems. An inspection is your choice, not a legal requirement for the title transfer.
What if I buy a vehicle from a dealership — do I still do all this myself?
Most dealerships handle the title transfer for you as part of the sale. Confirm this in writing before you leave the lot. If the dealership is handling it, they will collect your documents and submit the form to the county clerk. You should still receive a temporary registration receipt on the day of purchase.
How long does the title transfer take if I use a title service?
A title service typically completes the transfer within 5 to 7 business days if you provide all documents upfront. This is faster than mailing to the state but slower than submitting in person at a county clerk's office. The service fee is usually $50 to $150 on top of the $10.50 state fee.