by Armando Martinez
If you're buying a car from a private owner in Colorado, you'll need to take care of the registration process yourself. You’ll have 60 days from the date of purchase to complete the registration. This means that you'll need to visit your local DMV office and provide the necessary documentation to register the vehicle in your name. Here's a step-by-step guide on How to Register For Sale By Owner Cars in Colorado.
Step 1: Obtain the Required Documentation
Before you can register your car, you'll need to obtain the following documents from the seller:
- The vehicle title: The seller must provide you with the original title for the vehicle. Make sure that the title is signed by the seller and that it lists you as the buyer. If the seller does not have their original title, they’ll need to apply for a duplicate through the Colorado Department of Revenue or through the state DMV agency in which their vehicle is titled
- A bill of sale: While a bill of sale is not required in Colorado, it's a good idea to have one in case there are any questions about the sale later on. The bill of sale should include the vehicle's make, model, year, and VIN, as well as the sale price and the date of the sale.
- Proof of insurance: You'll need to provide proof of insurance that meets Colorado's minimum requirements.
- Vehicle Emissions Test: If your vehicle was titled outside of Colorado, and you live in the county of Boulder, Broomfield, Dencer, Douglas, Jefferson, Adams, Arapahoe, Larimer or Weld, an emissions test will need to be completed in order to complete your registration.
- Vehicle VIN Verification: Additionally, if your vehicle was titled outside of Colorado, you’ll need to have your vehicle inspected by an authorized DMV agent in order to complete your registration.
Step 2: Complete the Transfer of Ownership
Once you have the necessary documents, you'll need to complete the transfer of ownership. To do this, you'll need to:
- Fill out the back of the title: On the back of the title, you'll need to fill out the section that says "Assignment of Title by Seller." Make sure that all of the information is filled out correctly and that both you and the seller sign and date the title.
- Complete a bill of sale (optional): If you haven't already done so, you can use the bill of sale to record the details of the sale.
Step 3: Visit the DMV Office
Once the transfer of ownership is complete, you'll need to visit your local DMV office to register the vehicle in your name. Here's what you'll need to bring with you:
- The vehicle title: Make sure that the title is signed by both you and the seller.
- A completed Application for Title and/or Registration (Form DR 2395): You can download this form from the Colorado DMV website or pick one up at your local DMV office.
- Proof of insurance: You'll need to provide proof of insurance that meets Colorado's minimum requirements.
- Payment for fees and taxes: You'll need to pay the registration fee, which is based on the weight, taxable value, and purchase date of the vehicle, as well as any applicable sales tax.
Step 4: Receive Your New Title and Registration
After you've completed the registration process, you can legally drive the vehicle for 36 hours without tags to give you time to get temporary tags from your local DMV. You'll receive your new title and registration from the DMV office. Make sure that you keep these documents in a safe place, as you'll need them to prove ownership of the vehicle.
Conclusion
If you want to buy a car from a private owner in Colorado, you'll need to transfer the vehicle title and register the car in your name. This can be done by obtaining the necessary documentation from the seller, completing the transfer of ownership, and visiting your local DMV office to register the vehicle in your name. With a little bit of effort, you'll be able to enjoy your new car on the open road! If you have further questions, please visit the Colorado DMV website for more information.
This article was written by Armando Martinez. Armando Martinez is among the nation’s experts on automotive titling, registration, DMV services and document operations. With nearly two decades of experience across a broad range of financial services functions and some of the largest names in auto, from Wells Fargo to Uber, Armando combines vision and ingenuity with a wealth of information so auto shoppers and sellers can learn from his experience.
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