Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in effect for unincorporated plains areas east of Highway 93 (South Foothills), Broadway, and US 36 (North Foothills)
Boulder County Motor Vehicle offices are open Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Fridays. Appointments are required for in-person services. Registration renewals need to be completed online, by mail or drop box, or at a self-service kiosk and are not an in-person service.
We have three offices to serve the public. All locations are open from 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Thursday (except holidays).
Appointments are required for all in-person services, and renewals are completed out-of-office only.
All in-person services require an appointment. To learn more about which services can be completed in the office with an appointment or to make an appointment, visit the Motor Vehicle Appointments page.
Appointments are not available for registration renewals. Vehicle renewals can be completed online, at a MV Express Kiosk, or by mail or drop box. See our Renewals page for more information about each option.
Additionally, most transactions can be completed online or may be completed over the phone by calling 303-413-7710.
New Colorado residents must register their vehicle(s) within 90 days of establishing residency by visiting one of our three branch locations. Please visit our New Resident Registrations page to make sure you have all required documentation and then make an appointment to complete your registration.
You must provide the buyer with the Vehicle Title (properly endorsed), Bill of Sale, and new Emissions Certificate (if the vehicle requires emissions testing). You must also remove your license plates, and it is recommended that you complete a Release of Liability after the sale is complete.
Please visit our Buying and Selling a Vehicle page for more details about these items.
It is easy to request replacements for these items online (fees will apply):
You can also obtain a duplicate registration and/or duplicate stickers at any of our kiosk locations.
Registration renewals must be completed out of office.
The easiest options are to renew your registration online or at one of our self-service kiosks. You may also renew by mail or drop box at any of our three locations. Please see our Renew Registration page for more information.
Yes! It is easy to renew even without a renewal postcard. You can use a copy of your last registration or your VIN number plus License Plate number. You can also use your registration’s verification code, found on the back of a copy of your registration.
Renewal postcards cannot be forwarded. If you moved recently, please update your Vehicle Address online.
If you are unable to complete your registration renewal online, via drop box, at a kiosk, or by mail, give us a call at 303-413-7710 and we can review additional options.
You can estimate your fees online. This estimator does not include sales tax, so if you didn’t pay sales tax at time of purchase we will be collecting it at the counter. Visit our Fees and Taxes page for more information.
When you purchase a vehicle from a Colorado dealer (and often from an out-of-state dealer), the dealership sends our office the paperwork needed to title your vehicle. Once we finish processing the paperwork, we send you a Title Complete Notice. This means that you are now able to register your vehicle online.
You need to register your vehicle before your temporary plates expire; the one-month grace period does not apply to temporary permits. If you purchased your car from a dealer (whether in or out-of-state), you can register your new car online once you’ve received your Title Complete Notice (white postcard) in the mail.
If you purchased your car from a private party, you will need to make an appointment to complete your registration in our office.
Learn more about temporary plates on your new car.
Most Colorado license plate types (including regular plates) can be personalized. If you want a special plate, you can check to see if your desired plate can be personalized and if it is available online.
If it is available online, you can request your personalized plate as part of a first-time vehicle registration or to replace your existing plates.
If your desired plate is not available online, you will need to come into one of our Motor Vehicle offices.
Colorado has many types of specialty plates available, including for alumni, military, sports teams, nonprofits, and more. Most specialty plates have specific requirements (e.g., donations, documentation, extra fees). Please see the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles website for a full list of available specialty plates and specific requirements for each plate type. You can also see if your plate is available online.
If it is available online, you can request your personalized plate as part of a first-time vehicle registration or to replace your existing plates.
The first set of Disabled Veteran plates are free and are issued by the State. Complete the Military License Plate Application to apply for these plates. The application must be accompanied by copies of the required documents:
Please note: the benefit letter from Veterans Affairs showing the amount of your benefit cannot be used to establish eligibility for the Disabled Veteran plate.
Mail the application and copies of required documents to our office at the address below, or visit any of our three Motor Vehicle Offices:
Boulder County Clerk and Recorder
1750 33rd Street, Suite 100
Boulder, CO 80301
To obtain a second set or additional sets of DV plates, you may contact the County Motor Vehicle Office, 303-413-7710, or visit any of our office locations. There is a one-time fee of $50.00 in addition to applicable taxes and fees.
For further information, please visit the Department of Revenue website.
Some license plate styles are free for qualifying military members. See the Military License Plate Application for details.
Please see our Title Services page for information on adding or dropping a name from a title.
A vehicle title is required to register the vehicle in Boulder County. Do your best to recover the title from the previous owner(s).
If you are unable to obtain the title, you can apply for a bonded title. Please contact us for instructions.
Visit our Title Services page to learn what different types of branded titles mean. Important: a title branded as “Salvage” is not considered roadworthy and therefore can’t be registered without first being repaired and passing an inspection.
You may apply for a new title free of any liens, but this is optional. Instead, you may simply file away the existing title with the lien release completed on it (or the separate lien release letter). If/when you want to sell your vehicle, you can do so using the title with the lien release.
If you wish to obtain a clear title free of any liens, you will need to make an appointment at one of our offices and present the following:
Check out the following resources:
