Proof of insurance is required for every transaction, whether for permit or registration. Colorado requires that all registered vehicles operating on Colorado roads be properly insured. Effective July 1, 1999, all owners of Tax Class C (passenger, motor home, and motorcycle) will be required to provide proof of insurance for the vehicle prior to vehicle registration/renewal. Effective May 12, 2000, owners of Tax Class B vehicles (including light trucks and SUV’s) must show proof of insurance before registering vehicles. This does not change the fact that all motor vehicle types must have insurance coverage. Insurance has to be Colorado Insurance.
How to Title and Register a Vehicle
Vehicle purchased from a Colorado Dealer; we need the following:
Title or certificate of origin
Standard sales tax receipt
Odometer disclosure statement with printed name and signature from seller and purchaser
Application for title
Original or certified copy of security agreement if financed
Other documents depending on the specific deal, i.e. Trust documents
If the vehicle is financed or leased, Colorado dealers will forward paperwork directly to Logan County Motor Vehicle Office along with their security agreement, and a Title Complete Notice will be mailed to you.
Bring into the Motor Vehicle Office your Title Complete Notice and proof of current insurance to register your vehicle. The person listed on the titling documents will need to come into the office with his/her drivers license or a notarized power of attorney form will be required.
If you paid cash for the vehicle, the dealer will likely send the paperwork directly to you, usually by certified mail. Bring in those documents to title your vehicle along with proof of insurance and drivers license.
Joint/Tennant in Common ownership document required.
Vehicle purchased from an individual:
Title
Bill of sale indicating year, make, vin number, purchase price and date of purchase
Odometer disclosure statement if vehicle is less than ten years old. Most titles have a section on the title for the odometer disclosure statement which needs to be signed by purchaser.
Current proof of insurance to register vehicle
Weight slip, if pickup truck weighs over 4500# and is not listed on title
The buyer listed on the titling documents will need to come into the office with his/her drivers’ license or a notarized power of attorney form will be required.
Joint/Tennant in Common ownership document required.
Vehicle purchased from an out of state dealer:
Title or certificate of origin
Proof that state sales tax was paid, or we will collect sales taxes
Purchase order from dealer showing purchase price
Verification of VIN must be completed by a Colorado law enforcement officer or Colorado licensed dealer
Odometer disclosure statement signed by buyer and seller
Original or certified copy of security agreement if financed
Proof of insurance required to register vehicle
Weight slip may be required if empty weight (cwt.) not listed on title
The person listed on the titling documents will need to come into the office with his/her driver’s license or a notarized power of attorney form will be required.
Joint/Tennant in Common ownership document required.
Guidelines for Selling a Vehicle:
No alterations or erasures may be made on the title. If the title has any alteration or erasures, the document is void. No white out is allowed.
A title with your name registered on the front is required to sell a vehicle in Colorado.
You, as seller, and any other party listed on the front of the title as owner, must print and sign on the “signature of seller” portion of the title .
Some states use titles, which require notarization of the seller’s signature. If you are unsure about the need for notarization, please call the motor vehicle office at (970) 522-1158.
The printed name and signature of the seller must match the name of the owner exactly as it is printed on the front of the title.
If the selling party’s name has been signed off by a power of attorney, the notarized power of attorney form is also required to accompany the title.
Example: If the title reads John and Mary A Jones, then the signature and printed name on the back of the title must read: John Jones and Mary A Jones
Example: If the title reads John Albert Jones, Jr., then the signed and printed name on the back of the title must read John Albert Jones, JR
Example: If the title reads Smith, John then the printed name and signature must be on the back of the title in the normal written order. The first name written first, the second name written second: John Smith.
After the seller’s signature has been notarized (if necessary), have the purchaser enter their name on the “convey to” portion of the title exactly as they wish their name to appear on the title.
The buyer then must present the title to the motor vehicle office in order to complete the transfer.
In addition to the properly signed and notarized title, you, as the seller must either print on the back of the title or give a bill of sale to the buyer, which contains a perjury cause. The Bill of sale must include the sale date plus the amount of the sale, year, and make and vehicle identification number and must be signed by the owner(s) of the vehicle. We have Bill of Sale forms available at the motor vehicle office, or you can obtain a form by clicking on the forms list (Bill of Sale).
Lastly, the seller of the vehicle should always keep their license plates, as the plates are NOT to stay with the vehicle. It is the responsibility of the buyer to come into the motor vehicle office and obtain either license plates or a temporary registration and permit.
PRIVATE PARTY VEHICLE PURCHASE
When purchasing a vehicle from a private party, the following paperwork is required:
A title properly transferred from seller to buyer.
If your title is with a lien holder, then a bill of sale, insurance on the new vehicle, and proof of ownership from previous owner will allow you to receive a temporary registration/plate.
If the title is not a Colorado title, you will need to get a VIN verification. VIN verification is available from any licensed Colorado emissions testing station, a licensed Colorado motor vehicle dealer or a Colorado law enforcement officer (you will need to supply them with a form).
Older Colorado titles may require a notary. If the title has a spot for a notary to sign, it needs to be notarized or a Statement of Transfer (in lieu of notarization of Colorado title), Form DR2445 needs to be filled out.
A bill of sale is not necessary if the vehicle title provides a place to write the purchase price and the purchase date. See Forms
Joint/Tennant in Common ownership document required.
An odometer statement is required if the vehicle is newer than 10 year old:
Most titles provide a place for the odometer reading.
If the title does not provide such a place, a Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Form #2173 would need to be purchased.
If you have a lien on the vehicle you will need a security agreement/loan agreement. The security agreement must list:
Description of the vehicle including year, make and VIN
Total amount of payments (amount of lien)
Signature in ink, carbon or copy, stamped as true copy of original
Lien holder’s name and address
A certified weight slip will need to be submitted when titling a truck that weighs between 4500 lbs. and 10,000 lbs.
If the truck has a Colorado title, or an out of state title that shows the weight, a weight slip is not necessary
The same applies for a motor home
If you have plates you wish to transfer, bring your registration and plates from the old vehicle:
Colorado plates remain with the customer not the vehicle.
If a vehicle is sold or traded, license plates should be removed.
A pro-rata portion of the registration fees may be credited toward the same owner’s purchase of a new vehicle, provided the registration has not expired at the time of the credit request
Bring in your old plates, your registration and proof of sale or trade-in date to receive credit and/or use plates.
The title may be printed if the person making application is an owner of the vehicle, has a power of attorney for the person who owns the vehicle, is a representative of the lien holder or has been appointed by a Court document
If the original title is found, please destroy, as it is no longer valid. The duplicate title now becomes the original
Only the owner of record or the lien holder of record can apply for a duplicate title. If you are not the owner, a motor vehicle notarized power of attorney (click on “Forms”) signed by the owner is required
If there are multiple owners on the title, one of the owners can obtain a duplicate title
If a title has a lien showing on it, the duplicate title must be mailed to the lien holder. The only exceptions to the rule are if the applicant has a release of lien from the lien holder, the lien has expired or the lien says, “Not filed in Colorado”. If your title was issued by another state, please contact that state
If you are planning to come into any Motor Vehicle Office located in Colorado you may download the form DR2413 [pdf}, an application for duplicate title. You may bring or mail this application into the office with the correct fees and a copy of your proper form of identification
If you have moved from Logan County or the State of Colorado, you can access the State of Colorado web page and download form DR2539a [pdf] two copies of which will need to be submitted to the Department of Revenue along with the appropriate fees to the address on the form
Acceptable forms of proper identification are as follows:
A current state issued Driver’s license or ID card
A military ID card
A Passport
An authorization to work in the United States card
Out-of-state or other country drivers license with proper documentation
When purchasing a vehicle from a private party, the following paperwork is required:
A title properly transferred from seller to buyer.
If your title is with a lien holder, then a bill of sale, insurance on the new vehicle, and proof of ownership from previous owner will allow you to receive a temporary registration/tag
If the title is not a Colorado title, you will need to get a VIN verification. A VIN verification is available from any licensed Colorado emissions testing station, a licensed Colorado motor vehicle dealer or a Colorado law enforcement officer (you will need to supply them with a form)
Older Colorado titles may require a notary. If the title has a spot for a notary to sign, it needs to be notarized or a Statement of Transfer (in lieu of notarization of Colorado title), Form DR2445 needs to be filled out
A Bill of Sale
A bill of sale is not necessary if the vehicle title provides a place to write the purchase price and the purchase date. See Forms
An odometer statement is required if the vehicle is newer than 10 year old:
If the title does not provide such a place, a Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Form #2173 would need to be purchased.
If you have a lien on the vehicle you will need a security agreement/loan agreement. The security agreement must list:
Description of the vehicle including year, make and VIN
Total amount of payments (amount of lien)
Signature in ink, carbon or copy, stamped as true copy of original
Lien holder’s name and address
A certified weight slip will need to be submitted when titling a truck that weighs between 4500 lbs. and 10,000 lbs.
If the truck has a Colorado title, or an out of state title that shows the weight, a weight slip is not necessary
The same applies for a motor home
If you have plates you wish to transfer, bring your registration and plates from the old vehicle:
Colorado plates remain with the customer not the vehicle.
If a vehicle is sold or traded, license plates should be removed.
A pro-rata portion of the registration fees may be credited toward the same owner’s purchase of a new vehicle, provided the registration has not expired at the time of the credit request
Bring in your old plates, your registration and proof of sale or trade-in date to receive credit and/or use plates.
FILING A LIEN
To file a lien against the vehicle, submit the following:
Completed and signed application for title.
Title
VIN inspection if the title is issued by a state other than Colorado Department of Revenue
Original or certified copy of the security agreement (promissory note, chattel mortgage, etc) signed by all owners of the vehicle. Include the year, make and VIN number of all vehicles and the name and address of the lien holder.
Title fee of $7.20
Filing fee of $5/per page ($10.00 per page if the security agreement is larger than a legal size document)
Checks should be made payable to Logan County Clerk
LOST REGISTRATION/TABS
Lost Registration/Tabs:
If you have lost, misplaced or destroyed your registration you can obtain a duplicate from our office, either in person or by mail.
You must provide us with the license plate number, vehicle information and valid identification.
Cost for a duplicate registration is $2.20.
If you have lost the registration and sticker tabs the cost for the replacement of registration and tabs is $2.37.
TEMPORARY PERMITS
Temporary Permits:
A Temporary Permit is a paper license plate, which may expire in 60 days.
A Colorado auto dealer issues this permit when purchase of a new vehicle is made through the dealership.
When the purchase of a vehicle is made from a private party, the new owner may, under certain circumstances obtain a temporary permit from our office.
Please contact our office for more information.
A permit may also be used to take a vehicle from Colorado to another state for licensing.
A second permit may be issued when a problem is discovered in the purchaser’s paperwork necessary for transfer of title to the new owner.
A second permit is issued at our discretion on a case by case basis.
A temporary permit may not be issued for a passenger car, motor home, truck or motorcycle without proof of insurance coverage.
Proof of current insurance is required
Proof of identification is also required
The fee for a temporary permit is $7.08 plus applicable taxes on a cash transaction. See Sales Tax Information
A temporary permit may not be issued for lack of funds
Temporary permits are issued at the discretion of the county clerk.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Power of Attorney:
Power of Attorney is a legal instrument authorizing one to act as the attorney or agent of the grantor (owner of vehicle). This document may be used for the buying or selling of a vehicle, when issuing a duplicate title and if someone other than the owner of the vehicle is coming in to the office to obtain title and plates for the owner.
There are several different types of Power of Attorney forms. The various types are as follows:
Specific/Limited Powers of Attorney. Copies are not accepted. These types of Power of attorney forms are limited to what is indicated on the document. The form Dr2175 [pdf] is available in the motor vehicle office or may be downloaded.
General Power of Attorney. A copy is acceptable in this case. This document allows the attorney in fact to do all and every act.
Military Power of Attorney. This type of Power of Attorney can be either specific or general. It will state the type on the document itself. If the document is a general Power of Attorney, a copy is acceptable. If it is a limited Power of Attorney, a copy is not acceptable.
Secure Power of Attorney. Dealers use this type when waiting for a title from a lien holder or are waiting for a duplicate title.
Power of Attorney forms may not have any alterations or erasures. If they have any alterations or erasures, the document is void.
If an individual has been named Power of Attorney on a specific Power of Attorney form, that individual may not assign Power of Attorney to another person.
If an individual has been named Power of Attorney on a General Power of Attorney form, they may assign Power of Attorney to another individual. This Power of Attorney will be the Specific Power of Attorney.
When the grantor of the Power of Attorney form is deceased, the Power of Attorney is no longer valid.
An individual cannot sell and buy under the same Power of Attorney form unless it is a SecurePower of Attorney form # DR2174.
JOINT TENANCY
Joint Tenancy with Rights of Survivorship and Tenancy in Common:
Joint Tenancy
Joint tenancy is a form of ownership by two or more individuals together. It differs from other types of co-ownership in that the surviving joint tenant immediately becomes the owner of the whole property upon the death of the other joint tenant. This is called a “right of survivorship.” Joint ownership has rather rigid legal limitations and consequences that are sometimes not intended.
A joint tenancy between a husband and wife is generally known as a tenancy by the entirety. Tenancy by the entirety has some characteristics different that other joint tenancies, such as the inability of one joint tenant to server the ownership and differences in tax treatment.
TENANCY IN COMMON
Tenancy in Common
A tenancy in common is another form of co-ownership. It is the ownership of an asset by two or more individuals together, but without the rights of survivorship that are found in a joint tenancy. Thus, on the death of one co-owner, his or her interest will not pass to the surviving owner(s) but will pass according to his or her will or, if there is no will, by the law determining heirs.
Courtesy renewal postcards are mailed out approximately the first of the month of expiration.
If you did not receive your renewal card, the timely renewal of your registration is still your responsibility. Contact your County Clerk’s Motor Vehicle Office for current fees if your license plate is expired.
Make sure you still own this vehicle.
Use the blue mailing label to mail your check or money order and postcard to the Clerk and Recorder.
Include proof of insurance if it is noted on your postcard renewal notice. All motor vehicle types MUST have insurance to be driven on Colorado highways. House Bill 98-1213, which became effective July 1, 1999, requires that prior to registration or renewal, owners of tax Class C vehicles (passenger, motor home and motorcycle), must provide proof of insurance. Effective May 12, 2000, owners of Class B vehicles (including light trucks and SUV’s) must show proof of insurance before registering vehicles. Signing the back of the renewal card DOES NOT constitute showing proof of insurance.
Provide us with your new physical and mailing addresses if they have changed.
Please return the renewal card with payment in an envelope so that it will reach the County Clerk’s Office before the last day of the expiration month. Checks should be made payable to Logan County Clerk. A contact phone number should be included on the check.
If moving from another county within the State of Colorado, emission requirements and fees may differ. Please call the Motor Vehicle Office at 970-522-1158 for information.
LICENSE FEES
LICENSE FEES:
These fees are based on the empty weight and the type of the vehicle being registered. The money collected goes into the Colorado Highway Users Tax Fund for use in repairing or creating roadways in Colorado.
This fee is charged for the period of time the vehicle is registered.
This fee is based on 12 months of registration.
SPECIFIC OWNERSHIP TAXES
SPECIFIC OWNERSHIP TAXES:
These taxes are based on the year of manufacture of the vehicle and the original taxable value, which is determined, when the vehicle is new and does not change throughout the life of the vehicle.
Ownership tax is in lieu of personal property tax. The tax is assessed for the time period, which an individual owns the vehicle. Vehicles do not need to be driven in order to be assessed this tax.
The ownership tax rate assessed on the original taxable value decreases the first 4 years of the vehicle year of service, maintains the same for the 5th through the 9th years of service, and then reduces to a minimum for the 10th and later years.
SALES TAX
SALES TAX:
State of Colorado
2.9% of purchase price
County
1.0% of purchase price
Sterling
3.0% of purchase price
RTA
.10% of purchase price if buyer of vehicle live within city limits of Sterling.
