Transferring a Car Title in Colorado
Steps and fees to transfer a vehicle title in Colorado when you buy, sell or inherit a car, and the deadline to register after moving.
Short answer: A seller must deliver the certificate of title, properly transferred, to the buyer; the buyer acquires no ownership right until receiving it. Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 42-6-109, 42-3-103(1), 42-6-137, 42-6-114
| Transferring a car title | A seller must deliver the certificate of title, properly transferred, to the buyer; the buyer acquires no ownership right until receiving it. A paper title is required if either party is outside Colorado or the buyer pays entirely in cash. Sellers may voluntarily report the transfer to the Department of Revenue or an authorized agent within five business days. The buyer must register the vehicle within 60 days after purchase. The title application fee is $7.20, in addition to registration fees. For transfers by inheritance or operation of law, a new title may be issued on surrender of any available title and proof of ownership or a court order. Read in the Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 printout (Title 10 / Title 42) published by the Colorado General Assembly. |
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| Registering after you move | A new resident with a valid license from the previous state is exempt from getting a Colorado driver's license for 30 days after becoming a resident. Vehicles must be registered in Colorado within 90 days after the owner becomes a resident, with documentation of the previous registration and evidence of the date residency began; registering later means paying prorated registration taxes and fees back to the month residency began. Read in the Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 printout (Title 10 / Title 42) published by the Colorado General Assembly. |
More Colorado car insurance & vehicle laws
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- All Colorado car insurance & vehicle laws rules
FAQ
How do you transfer a car title in Colorado?
A seller must deliver the certificate of title, properly transferred, to the buyer; the buyer acquires no ownership right until receiving it. A paper title is required if either party is outside Colorado or the buyer pays entirely in cash. Sellers may voluntarily report the transfer to the Department of Revenue or an authorized agent within five business days. The buyer must register the vehicle within 60 days after purchase. The title application fee is $7.20, in addition to registration fees. For transfers by inheritance or operation of law, a new title may be issued on surrender of any available title and proof of ownership or a court order.
How long do you have to register your car after moving to Colorado?
A new resident with a valid license from the previous state is exempt from getting a Colorado driver's license for 30 days after becoming a resident. Vehicles must be registered in Colorado within 90 days after the owner becomes a resident, with documentation of the previous registration and evidence of the date residency began; registering later means paying prorated registration taxes and fees back to the month residency began.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.