New or Used Vehicle Purchased from a Dealer
If you have recently purchased a vehicle from a dealer and are a Denver County resident, you must apply for a Colorado title and vehicle registration in the county where you reside.
Note: If the vehicle is housed in a county other than your county of residence, you must title and register the vehicle in the county where it is housed.
Cash Purchase
The following list represents an example of the documents the dealer may give you when you purchased the vehicle. When you visit a Motor Vehicle office to title and register your vehicle, please bring all the documents given to you by the dealer.
- Secure and Verifiable Identification is required. Anyone other than a named owner must have a DR2175, Non-secure power of attorney to obtain license plates on behalf of a named owner must present his/her secure and verifiable identification.
- The title or Manufacturers Statement of Origin (MSO) properly endorsed by the previous owner.
- An invoice, Bill Of Sale (MV4) and/or tax receipts (State of Colorado form DR 0024 and Denver County form TD-206) for purposes of documenting sales taxes paid at time of purchase.
- If the vehicle was previously titled in another state, a Verification of Vehicle Identification form (DR 2087) completed by one of the following will be required:
- A licensed Colorado emissions testing station.
- A licensed Colorado motor vehicle dealer.
- A Denver Motor Vehicle employee.
- A current and accurate odometer reading is required.
- Proof of valid vehicle insurance coverage is required by state law. We will accept an insurance card, copy of insurance policy or letter from your insurance company on their letterhead. It must include a description of the vehicle including year, make, model, vehicle identification number (VIN), effective date and expiration date of the policy.
- Denver County requires proof of a valid Colorado enhanced emissions test.
- If the vehicle is being financed (a lien is filed) and you are going to be making payments, an acceptable mortgage document (security agreement) must be provided. The mortgage document must be either an original, carbon copy, or certified copy and must contain the lienholder’s name and address, amount of the lien, the owner’s signature and a description of the vehicle including year, make, model and vehicle identification number (VIN).
Financed Purchase
When you purchase a vehicle from a dealership and are going to be making payments, the dealer will forward your title paperwork for processing to the motor vehicle office in the county where you reside. The dealer will also provide you with a temporary permit to drive the vehicle while the paperwork is being processed.
After the title paperwork has arrived at Denver Motor Vehicle from the dealership and/or the finance company, Denver Motor Vehicle will send a Title Complete Notice or Title Receipt indicating that you can come into one of our offices to register your vehicle.
- Secure and Verifiable Identification is required. Anyone other than a named owner must have a DR2175, Non-secure power of attorney to obtain license plates on behalf of a named owner must present his/her secure and verifiable identification.
- If you do not receive a Title Complete Notice or Title Receipt within 7-10 days prior to the expiration of the temporary permit, please Contact Us or visit any of our branch offices so that we can check the status of your title paperwork.
- If you have received a Title Complete Notice or Title Receipt, your title paperwork has arrived at Denver Motor Vehicle. Visit any of our branch offices to register your vehicle. Please be prepared to pay the appropriate title fees, ownership tax (personal property tax) and applicable sales tax, if any.
Currently we only accept cash, checks or money orders for payment of taxes and fees. Please make all checks and money orders payable to “Manager of Finance, DMVD”.
Once you have completed the above requirements and have purchased your license plates you are responsible for them. Click here for more information Did You Know?
Page revised July 2, 2009