How to Register a Recently Purchased Vehicle

Register your vehicle within 60 days of purchase. Do this before your temporary tag expires.

Financed Purchases

Ask your dealer or lender how they will send the paperwork. In most cases, the dealer sends the title paperwork to us. Once that’s done, we mail you a white postcard called a Title Complete Notice. Then you can register online.

Note: Tesla often gives the paperwork directly to the buyer instead of sending to our office. Once you have the paperwork and before scheduling an appointment, please be sure to confirm the Security Agreement from the lender is in your paperwork. If it is not, obtain this from your lender and bring it with you when titling and registering your vehicle.

Note: Tesla often sends paperwork to the buyer instead of to us. If this happens, check that your paperwork includes the Security Agreement from your lender. This is the loan document that names the lien holder. If it’s missing, get it from your lender before your appointment – you will need to bring it with you.

Still waiting for your Title Complete Notice? Check your title status online, or contact our office.

Cash Purchases

The dealer will mail your title paperwork to you. This usually takes about one month. Once you get it, make an appointment to title and register your vehicle.

Registration Checklist

Bring the following to register a vehicle bought from a Colorado dealer. You can also download this checklist.

• A Secure and Verifiable ID
• Financed purchases: Your Title Complete Notice postcard
• Cash purchases: Complete paperwork from the dealer, including vehicle title and dealer invoice/bill of sale
• Proof of Insurance
• License plates and/or current registration from previously owned vehicle, if you have them
• Proof of emissions test, if required (the dealer can give you a test result or a three-day voucher)
• Payment for fees and taxes

Once you have these items, make an appointment for a title transaction, if needed, or register online.

Register your vehicle within 60 days of purchase to avoid late fees. See the Registration Timeline below for more information. Use the checklists below to gather all the information needed to complete your registration. Gather the items in the checklist below, then schedule an appointment.

You can also download a printable version of these checklists.

In-State Private Party Purchase Checklist

For a vehicle purchased from a private party in Colorado.

• A Secure and Verifiable ID
• The signed vehicle title – must show an odometer reading if the vehicle is under 10 years old
• Proof of Insurance
• A bill of sale
• Financed vehicles only: paperwork from your lien holder, including the loan documents
• License plates and/or current registration from previously owned vehicle, if you have them
• Proof of a new, passing emissions test, if required. The seller must give you a new passing emissions certificate at the time of sale, even if the old one has time remaining on it.
• Payment for fees and taxes, including Colorado Sales Tax

If you’re missing proper ownership papers, such as a bill of sale, contact our office about other options.

Out-of-State Private Party Purchase Checklist

For a vehicle purchased from a private party outside of Colorado.

• A Secure and Verifiable ID
• The signed vehicle title, notarized if required (must show an odometer reading if the vehicle is under 10 years old)
• Proof of Insurance
• A bill of sale
• Financed vehicles only: paperwork from your lien holder, including the loan documents
• License plates and/or current registration from previously owned vehicle, if you have them
• Proof of a new, passing emissions test, if required
• Payment for fees and taxes, including Colorado Sales Tax
• VIN verification, since the title is from another state
• A certified weight slip, if required

Registration Timeline

Register a vehicle purchased from a private party within 60 days of purchase at any of our three offices. To drive the vehicle legally, register it as soon as you can, or get a temporary permit.

• Do our offices close before you can register? This includes weekends, holidays, or hours between 5 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. You may still drive the vehicle home. You have 36 hours from the sale to register the vehicle. Carry your bill of sale and proof of insurance in the vehicle.
• Make an appointment as soon as you can.
• Need more time? Apply for a temporary permit.

Once you’re ready, make an appointment for a title transaction.

Register your vehicle within 60 days of purchase. Do this before your temporary tag expires.

Financed Purchases

• If your dealer sends us all required paperwork, we will mail you a Title Complete Notice. This is a white postcard.
  • Register online after you receive your Title Complete Notice. Still waiting? Check your title status online or contact us for help.
  • Missing paperwork? We’ll send you a letter, and you’ll need to finish titling and registering in person.
  • Have old plates or a Colorado registration? You may get credit for time left on it.
• If your dealer mails paperwork to you instead, make an appointment to title and register your vehicle.

Cash Purchases

The dealer will mail your title paperwork to you, usually within one month. Once you get it, make an appointment to complete your registration.

Registration Checklist

Bring the following to register a vehicle bought from an out-of-state dealer. You can also download this checklist.:

• A Secure and Verifiable ID
• Financed purchases:
  • Your Title Complete Notice
  • Or, if you don’t have that yet, bring these documents from the dealer or lien holder:
    • Vehicle Title
    • Loan documents
    • Other required papers like a Power of Attorney or Statement of Fact
• Cash purchases:
  • The vehicle title (notarized if required)
  • A signed odometer disclosure, if the vehicle is under 10 years old:
    • Put this information on the title or a secure document
    • The disclosure must include the hand-printed names and signatures of the buyers and sellers
  • The dealer invoice or a bill of sale
• Proof of Insurance
• Proof of a passing emissions test, if required
• A VIN inspection (used vehicles only)
• A certified weight slip, if required
• License plates and/or current registration from previously owned vehicle, if you have them
• Payment for fees and taxes, including Colorado Sales Tax.
• Provide Proof of any sales tax already paid to another state, if you have any

Once you have everything, make an appointment for a title transaction, if needed, or register online.