Registering an Out-of-State Vehicle by New Residents

Welcome to Colorado and Adams County

How to Register a Vehicle for New Colorado Residents

All vehicles owned in Colorado must be registered with the department, §C.R.S. 42-3-103. Those individuals who are new residents to Colorado are required to register their vehicle within 90 days of establishing residency.

Failure to register within 90 days will result in a late fee of $25, a month, up to $100.

Who Should Complete This Process?

• Any person who is a new resident of Colorado and Adams County; and
• Any person who is listed as an owner of a vehicle that is physically located in Colorado that was recently registered outside of Colorado.
  • Secure and Verifiable Identification (SVID) must be provided by the owner of record.
    • See DR 2841 for examples of acceptable SVID.

Establishing Residency

Colorado residency is established when one of the following criteria has been met, §C.R.S. 42-1-102(81):

• Any person who owns or operates any business in Colorado
• Any person who has resided within Colorado continuously for a period of 90 days
• Any person who has obtained gainful employment in Colorado

What is Required to Complete this Process?

Those who meet the above criteria, will need to bring the following documents to any Adams County Motor Vehicle location:

• Proof of Current Insurance that Complies with Colorado Insurance Requirements
  • $25,000 for bodily injury or death to any one person in an accident; and
  • $50,000 for bodily injury or death to all persons in any one accident; and
  • $15,000 for property damage in any one accident.
• DR 2698 Verification of Vehicle Identification Number
  • Commonly called a "VIN Verification or Inspection," the form can only be completed by licensed Colorado dealerships, Colorado law enforcement, licensed Colorado emissions, or the County Clerk (at their discretion). Adams County will complete VIN Verifications in our offices for a fee www.adcogov.org/vin-inspections.
• Certified Weight Slip
  • Weight slips are required on all motor homes and trucks that have an empty weight of 4,501 pounds and 10,000 pounds; and
  • the vehicle has been modified by more than 300 pounds; or
  • Trailers that are more than 2,000 pounds.
• Proof of Passing Emissions
  • Commonly called a "smog test." Please visit www.aircarecolorado.com for information on gas, flex fuel, and hybrid emission requirements. Alternatively, please visit dmv.colorado.gov/emissions for diesel emission information and requirements.
• Proof of Ownership for the Vehicle
  • Proof of ownership is the most current title. If the title is held by a lien holder (generally meaning payments are being made on the vehicle) a copy of the title (front & back) or an out-of-state registration, no more than 6 months expired, is also acceptable.
  • Vehicles that are coming from states that do not issue titles or from foreign countries, please call our office, 720-523-6010, for additional requirements.
• DR 2395 - Application for Title
• DR 2421 - Statement of One in the Same
  • Required when your name on the title or registration differs from the SVID. List all variations of your name.
• DR 2504 - Colorado Residency Establishment
  • This form needs to be submitted with evidence of residency. Please see page 2 of this form (DR 2504) for all acceptable documents to be provided as evidence for Colorado residency.
• Fees
  • Registration fees vary depending on the vehicle.
  • The fee for the title transaction is an additional $7.20.

All DR forms mentioned are available on the state's website. Please visit dmv.colorado.gov/forms-number-order.