Purchasing a Vehicle | Adams County Government

Important Information

Title Fraud is becoming more common. Here are some tips to help prevent it and protect yourself:

Make sure you get a bill of sale (can be found for free online)
Ensure the title is singed in front of you and not already signed by someone else
Ask for a photo ID of the vehicle’s seller and match it with the bill of sale AND title
Verify the vehicle’s VIN to ensure it isn’t stolen

Purchasing from a Dealer

Secure and verifiable identification is required on all new titles, duplicate titles, new registrations, new temporary registration permits, and new persons with disability placards. If the name of the buyer on the secure and verifiable identification and the new title application do not match, the Statement of One in the same DR2421 must be submitted. The vehicle will be titled as assigned on the ownership document. The identification must be provided by the owner of record or a power of attorney presented by the agent. The agent must have Secure and Verifiable Identification to complete the transaction. Commercially owned or lienholder transactions require a letter of authorization.

If you are purchasing a new or used vehicle from a Colorado dealer, the dealer will provide a temporary permit, sales tax receipts, title or manufacturer's statement of origin, and an application for Colorado title DR2395. If multiple owners will be listed on title the Joint Tenancy with Rights of Survivorship Acknowledgement of Intent section on the reverse side of the form must be completed. Please bring in all paperwork received from the dealer, proof of insurance, and emissions if required. See insurance requirements.

The Colorado title should be presented to the County Clerk of the county in which you reside, for transfer to your name within thirty days of purchase. A late fee of $25 per month up to $100 is required on new purchases not registered after 60 days of purchase date.

Emission Tests are required on vehicles registered within a designated area of Adams County. Note: Gas vehicles bought new, less than seven years old, are exempt from emissions exemption on all new vehicles. Please see the Air Care Colorado website for information.

Purchasing from a Private Party

When a vehicle is purchased from a private party who has a Colorado title the following is required from the seller:

The title which has been properly signed by all selling parties with notarization of the signatures; if required. New Colorado titles do not require notary. Older titles may require a notary; however, a statement of transfer (DR 2445) will be accepted in lieu of notarization. If a selling party's name has been signed off by a power of attorney, that document is also required. Seller or their Power of Attorney must sign off name as it appears on the face of the title.

Application for Colorado title DR2395 is required if multiple owners will be listed on title the Joint Tenancy with Rights of Survivorship Acknowledgement of Intent section on the reverse side of the form must be completed.

A bill of sale to verify purchase price. (The bill of sale must either be notarized or contain the perjury statement.)

Emission tests are required on vehicles over seven years old. Seller is to provide purchaser with a new passing emissions test, which has not been used for the seller's registration or renewal. This is a consumer protection for the buyer. The buyer must use this paperwork to register the vehicle within one year. A vehicle dealer may offer customers a voucher enabling the buyer to obtain a test for free. The customer has the right to refuse this arrangement. Please see the Air Care Colorado website for information.

If the vehicle is less than 10 years old, weighs 10,000 pounds or less, or the previous title displays an odometer reading regardless of age of the vehicle, an odometer reading must be completed on the title or on a separate form available in our office.

Collection of sales tax is a prerequisite to titling and is based on the purchase price of the vehicle. A bill of sale is required and it must either be notarized or include a perjury clause. See sales tax information.

To receive a temporary permit or registration, please bring in all paperwork listed above with proof of insurance and emissions if required. See insurance requirements.

After-Hours Purchase

A buyer of a vehicle may operate a vehicle on the highway prior to registering the vehicle when:

The buyer has purchased the motor vehicle within the last 36 hours from a person who is not a licensed motor vehicle dealer.
The vehicle was purchased either on a Saturday, on a Sunday, on a legal holiday, or between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m.
The vehicle is being driven from the place where the seller stored the vehicle to the place where the buyer intends to store the vehicle.

The buyer must carry in the vehicle:

A bill of sale that identifies the vehicle by year, make, and VIN and shows the time and date of sale and is signed by both the buyer and the seller.
Proof of insurance

Financed Vehicles

Secure and verifiable identification is required on all new titles, duplicate titles, new registrations, new temporary registration permits, and new placards. The identification must be provided by the owner of record or a power of attorney presented by the agent. The agent must have secure and verifiable identification to complete the transaction. Commercially owned or lienholder transactions require a letter of authorization.

If you have purchased a vehicle and it is being financed by a dealer, financial institution, or the seller please verify where the paperwork is being sent or refer to filing a lien for further information. If the documents are being sent to our department, we will notify you via postcard.

Please bring in the postcard (or process your transaction by phone), proof of emission if you are located within the emission area, proof of insurance, and plates and current registration from a previously owned vehicle to apply any credit that may be transferable. Proof of insurance is required before our office can register any passenger car, motor home, bus or motorcycle. See insurance requirements.

There will be a fee collected at that time to register your vehicle for next year.

Purchasing from an Owner with Out-of-State Title

To title and register a vehicle purchased from someone who has an out-of-state title, the following is required:

Secure and verifiable identification
1. Required on all new titles, new registrations, and new temporary registration permits.
2. If the name of the buyer on the secure and verifiable identification and the new title assignment do not match, the Statement of One in the Same DR2421 must be submitted.
3. The vehicle will be titled as assigned on the ownership document.
4. The identification must be provided by the owner of record or a power of attorney presented by the agent. The agent must have Secure and Verifiable Identification to complete the transaction. Commercially owned or lien-holder transactions require a letter of authorization.
Out-of-state title/ownership document from the purchaser
1. Title - If the title has been lost or destroyed, the seller will need to contact the state in which it was issued in order to replace the title.
2. Title and registration combined - This document is acceptable if it is submitted to our office BEFORE the expiration date.
Application for Colorado title DR2395
1. Required if multiple owners will be listed on title
2. The Joint Tenancy with Rights of Survivorship Acknowledgement of Intent section on the reverse side of the form must be completed.
Odometer disclosure statement
1. Title - listed on the title assignment area
2. Or a separate odometer disclosure
3. Please contact our office at (970) 498-7878 to speak with a technician if a separate form is required.
Collection of sales tax is a prerequisite to titling and is based on the purchase price of the vehicle.
1. A bill of sale is required notarized or with a perjury clause included. See sales tax information.
2. Credit may be applicable for some local jurisdictions. Please contact our office if tax was previously paid.
Emission test
1. Adams County residents are required to obtain a certificate of emissions
2. Required on vehicles over seven years old
3. Please see the Air Care Colorado website for information.
Verification of the Vehicle Identification Number Inspection
1. Inspection can be obtained from an Adams County Motor Vehicle office, a licensed dealer, a licensed inspection station or a law enforcement officer.
2. The inspection is annotated on form DR2698 - Verification of Vehicle Identification. This form is also available at all motor vehicle locations and emission stations.
3. If the vehicle comes from a non-title state, your vehicle may require a certified vehicle identification number inspection or other documents. This procedure may require you to speak with one of our technicians for complete details. Please call our office at 720.523.6010 to speak with a technician. A temporary permit may be issued to allow the owner to obtain the VIN Verification.
Weight slip - Required on all motor homes and trucks with an empty weight or more than 4,500 pounds. (If the weight is not displayed on the out-of-state title or registration.)
Proof of insurance - See insurance requirements.