Title Corrections

A corrected title may be processed when there is an error on the original title. Upon receipt of the application, the Department will determine if the correction can be made.

Correction Procedures

Documents to be submitted to the county office to correct a title:

• The incorrect title (unless ELT).

• Appropriate documentation for specific correction.

• DR 2396 County Title Correction Sheet.

Documents required for specific correction:

Name Misspelled

• Statement from owner or county clerk; or

• Corrected DR2407 Dealer’s Bill of Sale (when applicable).

Year, Make, Body or VIN (if error precedes the sequential numbers):

• DR 2698 Verification of Vehicle Identification Number; or

• Photocopies of previous state or county records, if available; or

• When the error in the VIN precedes the sequential numbers, a photocopy of the NICB/NATB page for that specific year, model and make.

When the error in the VIN is in the sequential numbers (last 6 digits), there are two alternatives:

• If the previous Colorado records (either state or county) clearly indicate a clerical error, the correction may be done; or

• If the records show evidence of the vehicle being titled in another state, the customer may obtain a letter from that state that the error had been made there.

Wrong lienholder/lien amount:

Corrections of this nature are made only by the County Motor Vehicle Office.

• DR 2444 Statement of Fact; or

• Copy of the security agreement.

Note: Any assignments and lien releases on the incorrect title will have to be redone on the corrected title.

Note: Names cannot be added or deleted by the correction procedure. A new title must be applied for to add or delete a name.

Note: Drivers Licenses contain PII and therefore cannot be filmed and should not be sent as appropriate documentation for correction.

Note: If there is no proof of a clerical error, the owner must follow the bond procedure to correct the error.

Taxable Value

• State records (copy of film); or

• Copy of appropriate Kelley Blue Book page; or

• Copy of state computer taxable value average screen.

Odometer

• State records (scanned imaged from DRIVES showing data entry error when ownership account was built)

• Customers must provide any additional documentation as requested

• Page 2 of the DR 2396 Lost in Transit Affidavit (can be submitted by any county or EVTR)

Please review Procedure 121 before submitting your request to ensure we're able to maintain a consistent policy and procedure on odometer discrepancies.

Weight

• A weight slip from a certified public scale.

JTWROS (Joint Tenancy with Rights of Survivorship)

• To add or remove JTWROS, a statement is needed from all owners or film showing the error.

Cancellation of Title Records

These are the various reasons for deactivating title records.

Surrendered to Other States

DRIVES interfaces with NMVTIS. When a Colorado title is surrendered to another jurisdiction and that jurisdiction interfaces with NMVTIS, DRIVES is automatically updated to show “Out of State Surrendered”. This record cannot be reinstated; a duplicate title cannot be applied for. For jurisdictions that do not report to NMVTIS, that jurisdiction notifies the State and we manually update the record to show “ Out of State Surrendered”.

Junk Parts Only C.R.S 42-6-136

An agency such as a law enforcement agency, auto recycler, insurance company, or automobile manufacturer may determine that a vehicle is junk and not worthy of being rebuilt, reconstructed or repaired. When a Colorado Certificate of Title is marked “JUNK” and surrendered to the Department, The Colorado record is then manually marked “Junked”.

Tow Bill Junk C.R.S 42-4-1806(3)

If the appraisal of an abandoned motor vehicle is three hundred fifty dollars ($350) or less, the owner “... shall not, under any circumstances, be entitled to a Colorado certificate of title...” When the Department receives a copy of the appraisal, DR 2173 Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale, the Colorado Title is marked “Junked”. This vehicle may never be titled and/or registered again.

Note: The fee for a duplicate title should always be collected.

Note: A Copy of lien release is acceptable.

Note: Liens are shown on the Colorado title for ten years. (Effective 10/01/09)

Note: Duplicate batched titles cannot be mailed to a different address than originally filed.

Purged Ad Valorem C.R.S 38-29-118(2)

This occurs when the Department is notified that a manufactured home has been placed on the property tax roles of the county where it is located. This record cannot be reinstated. DRIVES will automatically place a Purged Ad Valorem hold on the record.

Manufactured Home Certificate of Destruction C.R.S 38-29-204

Certificate of Destruction is used when a manufactured home is destroyed, dismantled, or sold or otherwise disposed of as salvage.

Duplicate Title Applications

C.R.S 42-6-135 (2), C.R.S 42-6-125, C.R.S 42-6-126

In case of loss or accidental destruction of a title, the lienholder or current titled owner may apply for issuance of a duplicate title at any county office or the Department.

The printing of a duplicate title voids all preceding titles and is the only negotiable document.

A duplicate title cannot be applied for to void a sale.

A duplicate title cannot be applied for if there is not enough information to locate proof of issuance of an original title. The owner must follow the purged bill of sale procedure (see Purged Bill of Sale).

Application for a duplicate title must be made on the following forms.

County will accept:

• DR 2395 Title and/or Registration Application; or

• DR 2539A Duplicate Title Request and Receipt.

State will accept:

• DR 2539A Duplicate Title Request and Receipt.

Complete all required areas of the duplicate application form. The current Colorado title number and the Vehicle Identification Number are necessary for processing a duplicate application. Colorado duplicate titles can only be applied for by the owner, lienholder, or an authorized agent. If the authorized agent applies for the duplicate, they must submit a Power of Attorney (see Power of Attorney) signed by the owner or lienholder.

If the DR 2539A Duplicate Title Request and Receipt application is mailed directly to the Department by the owner or agent, it must be submitted with the appropriate fees.

When a duplicate is being requested, the trustee will sign the duplicate application. A copy of the trust document is not required on Colorado titles with an acceptance date of 12/01/02 and later.

Duplicate Titles with Active, Released or Expired Liens

• Duplicate titles must be printed with the recorded lien on file.

• Title addresses (owner or lienholder) cannot be changed when printing a duplicate title. A duplicate title can be printed over-the-counter at the county motor vehicle office and handed to customer or mailed to the address requested on the application in a separate envelope.

Liens Not Filed in Colorado

• When the lien is not filed in Colorado, the duplicate title will be mailed to the owner, or handed to the owner when printed at the counter.

• An out-of-state lienholder may apply for a “NOT FILED IN COLORADO” duplicate with a Power of Attorney from the owner.

• In the case of a repossession, use the JD Power reference book for documents required to be submitted for vehicles repossessed with an out of state title. Please contact the NMVTIS helpdesk if your office does not have access to JD Power content. The duplicate will then be printed over-the-counter by the county motor vehicle office and mailed to the lienholder.

Title Update

When the customer is provided a lien release without the title, the customer can receive a title by providing the lien release and the title fee of $7.20 by doing a Title update in DRIVES.

Mailing of Duplicate Titles Submitted by Mail

The duplicate title will be mailed to the owner of record if there is no lien. If the customer is out-of-state and using the DR 2539A Application for Duplicate

Title, a different mailing address may be requested by completing the section “Mail to Another Address.”

Miscellaneous Title Services

Returned Titles

Titles that are returned to the Department as undeliverable will have a notation made in Notes that the title was returned. If the title has been returned, the owner of record must apply for a duplicate title (See Duplicate Titles in this section). The only exception for returned undeliverable titles is a clerical error made in the address field or the USPS returned the title as undeliverable and the address provided was correct; if this is the case, contact the Department at 303-205-5608.

• Secure and Verifiable identification is required to issue new title, duplicate title, new registration, new temporary registration, and new placards (see Secure and Verifiable ID).

Undeliverable Titles

Lienholders that receive undeliverable titles should mail the undeliverable title to the address below:

Division of Motor Vehicle , Title and Registration Section

PO Box 173350, Denver, CO, 80217-3350

Upon completion of notification in title tracking, the undeliverable title is shredded.

Note: A Secure and Verifiable ID will be required and the number on the identification (i.e., Colo. D.L. number 1234) will be noted on the application.

Duplicate Vehicle Records

If the State computer system shows a current suspense record (see Suspense Title) and applicant is applying for a duplicate title on a prior Colorado record, the following is required before a duplicate title can be issued:

• Verification, on letterhead, from the out-of-state motor vehicle office indicating that there is no existing title in their state; or

• Film that the suspense record was issued in error.

Exported Vehicles

Export companies purchase vehicles that are not roadworthy and/or parts only from Insurance Companies, Auctions or Junk yards for exporting purposes only. All documents must be stamped “Export Only” or “Parts Only” by the seller.

US Customs requires a certified letter from Colorado for “Export Only” vehicles and/ or “Parts Only” vehicles purchased in Colorado or non-repairable title.

US Customs hold the Export only vehicles and/or parts only for three days before releasing the vehicle to cross the border. Once the vehicle is approved and released by Customs, all documents are stamped and given back to the Export company.

Export letters are issued by the Department. Applicable certification and record search fees must be paid to the Department of Revenue at the time of application; the following documents are required:

• DR 2489A - Motor Vehicle Requestor Release Affidavit of Intended Use

  • • This form must include:

      • • • VIN

          • Name and address of the requestor

          • Secure and Verifiable Identification

          • Firm name (if applicable)

          • Date

          • Signature

      • One box checked for ‘approved permissible use’

      • Proof of vehicle ownership is required; owners can submit a notarized bill of sale

        • • If the vehicle is salvage, a salvage certificate of title is required, and no record search is needed.

      • Colorado Certified Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) verification DR 2704 to receive a Junk record search.

Non-repairable title can be issued for export vehicles that are not marked JUNK or NO RECORD found in DRIVES; the following documents are required:

• • • • • • DR 2410 Salvage Title Or Nonrepairable Title Application

          • Proof of vehicle ownership is required; owners can surrender a valid title or if no title available owners can submit a notarized bill of sale.

          • Colorado Certified Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) verification DR2704 to receive a Junk record search.

State Issued Dealer for Resale Titles

A Dealer for Resale title may be issued over the counter by the Department to any licensed Colorado dealer meeting the following requirements:

• Dealerships must submit a letter of authorization to the Department, listing the names of all persons who will be acting as agents on their behalf. This letter will be kept on file and shall be updated annually.

• All agents will be required to provide photo identification.

• Application DR 2395 must include one of the following ownership documents and any other pertinent paperwork required for titling:

  • • MSO; or

    • Colorado Title; or

    • Out-of-state Title; or

    • Government Bill of Sale; or

    • Salvage title for a vehicle being made roadworthy; or

    • Out-of-country ownership documents.

• Dealer for Resale title may include the owner’s name if the owner is the sole proprietor. Verification of ownership can be determined by performing an Inquiry of the Dealer at: https://codor.mylicense.com/AID_Verification/.

• Applications must be free and clear of all liens.

• There is no limit to the number of applications that will be accepted for the $25 fee. 10 or less over the counter titles can be processed a day, more than 10 are required to be dropped off.

• Processing Timeframes for Dealer for Resale titles:

  • • Applications may be submitted through the mail, but processing times may vary.

• Dealer for Resale titles applied for at the county level, but processed through the Department, cannot be picked up.

Note: If a Dealer for Resale title application is initiated through a county office, and was rejected by the State, the rejected application must be corrected and resubmitted through the same county motor vehicle office. It will not be accepted at the State Dealer Desk.

Vehicles Owned by the State of Colorado

All applications for title on vehicles owned by other State agencies must be processed through the Department. Applicable title fees must be paid to the Department at the time of application. When registration is required at the time of titling, the Department will complete this process. These documents will be processed at:

Division of Motor Vehicles

Title & Registration Section

3265 S. Wadsworth Blvd #3A

Lakewood, CO 80227

EXCEPTIONS: The following types of applications need to be applied for at the county motor vehicle office:

• When a lien is being filed on the vehicle.

• A vehicle that is being leased.

• The vehicle is seized by a law enforcement agency by virtue of a court order.

• A vehicle donated to a college or university for a specific use:

• Option 1:

1. Upon donating a vehicle, the dealership may:

• Apply for title through the county.

• Title the vehicle in the dealership’s name (cannot be a ‘Dealer Resale No Sales Tax Paid’ title).

• Pay all applicable Title Fees and Sales Tax or provide a completed, stamped DR 0100A – Retail Sales Tax Return for Occasional Sales.

• The state agency (college) should show as the “lessee” on the application and on the registration.

2. The county will issue regular plates and collect all specific ownership tax, license and material fees at the time of registration from the college.

3. Counties do not have to send the letter of approval to the State before processing the title and registration.

• Option #2:

1. Upon donating a vehicle, the dealership may:

• Apply for title through the county.

• Title the vehicle in the dealership’s name (cannot be a ‘Dealer Resale No Sales Tax Paid’ title).

• Pay all applicable Title Fees and Sales Tax or provide a completed, stamped DR 0100A – Retail Sales Tax Return for Occasional Sales.

• The state agency (college) should show as the “lessee” on the application and on the registration.

2. The state agency (college) applies for government plates at the State Title & Registration office. The state agency will pay the plate and material fees.

3. Letter of approval will not be required at the county or the state before issuing the title or plates.

• Option #3:

1. Upon donating a vehicle, the dealership may:

• Apply for title through the county.

• Title the vehicle in the dealership’s name (cannot be a ‘Dealer Resale No Sales Tax Paid’ title).

• Pay all applicable Title Fees and Sales Tax or provide a completed, stamped DR 0100A – Retail Sales Tax Return for Occasional Sales.

2. The dealership signs the title over to the state agency (college) as the seller to the buyer; the purchase price will be ‘donation’.

3. The state agency (college) will apply for a government title and plates at the State Title & Registration office. The state agency will pay the title, plate and material fees.

4. Letter of approval will not be required at the county or the state before issuing the title or plates.

Acquire Forms

Title and registration forms can be acquired electronically on the Colorado DMV's Forms page.

Secure forms can be purchased through the following vendors:

• Colorado Auto Dealers Association

• Colorado Independent Automobile Dealers Association

• A-B-C Enterprises

• Colorado Automobile/Powersports Support Services

• BML Dealer Supplies and Title Service

County Issued Titles

All procedures described in the Motor Vehicle Title Procedures are applicable to county- issued titles. It is especially important that all supporting documentation is correct and complete before the title is printed and handed to the customer. The county office will recall the title from the customer if the Title Services Unit rejects the application. If there are errors that do not affect the face of the title, the State will stage to Document Fix with a reason why the documents are rejected. If the errors affect the face of the title, the State will recall the title and send out a letter to the customer.

The following subjects are unique to the titles that are printed by the counties:

PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION- Proof of secure and verifiable identification of an owner (or power of attorney for the owner) must be obtained. Secure and Verifiable Identification is required at all times. The following forms are secure and verifiable:

Any Colorado Driver License Colorado Driver Permit or Colorado Identification Card, current or expired one year or less. (Valid temporary paper license with invalid Colorado Driver’s License, Colorado Driver’s Permit, or Colorado Identification Card, expired one year or less is acceptable.)

• Out-of-state issued photo driver’s license or photo identification card, photo driver’s permit current or expired one year or less.

• U.S. Passport current or expired less than 10 years.

• Valid foreign passport with I-94 or valid processed for I551 stamps. Exception: Canadian Passport may not have I-94 attached.

• Valid I-94 issued by Canadian government with L1 or R1 status and a valid Canadian driver’s license or valid Canadian identification card.

• Travelers entering the United States by air or by sea under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are required to complete an application through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) instead of the I-94W form. There are 36 countries currently participating in this program. For more information and a list of participating countries, visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protections website at:

• https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta

Valid I551 Resident Alien/Permanent Resident card. No border crosser or USA B1/B2 Visa/ BCC cards

• Valid I766 Employment Authorization Card with intact photo.

• Valid US Military ID (active duty, dependent, retired, reserve and National Guard).

• Tribal Identification Card with intact photo. (U.S. or Canadian).

• Certificate of Naturalization with intact photo.

• Certificate of (US) Citizenship with intact photo.

Note: A foreign country issued Driver’s License cannot be used for purposes of issuing a certificate of title.

Duplicate Title with Lien

When an individual applies for a duplicate title for his or her vehicle and there is still an active lien on the record, the application will be rejected for a lien release. However, if the individual has an acceptable lien release the lien will be omitted, and the duplicate title will be sent to the applicant.

Cancellation of Registration C.R.S 42-3-119

Applications that are rejected by the Department for insufficient or incorrect documentation are staged to Document Fix to the county for completion.

The County Motor Vehicle Office should attempt to contact the owner and/or lienholder to secure the proper documents.

If the documents have not been obtained from the applicant or lienholder after 90 days from the first notification date, the following procedures will be followed:

• Notify the owner or lienholder in writing, giving a warning of the cancellation if the error is not corrected.

• If there is no response from the owner or lienholder within ninety days the county will place a hold on the record.

• If there has been no effort to correct the documents after 13 months, a Cancel Title is performed.

Unrecovered Theft

Prior to a title being issued, if a vehicle is stolen and a title is required by the insurer, the below must be completed.

• An insurance company or owner on existing record shall establish title in their name in anticipation of the recovery, the following documents are required for application of title at the Department:

  • • DR 2593 State of Colorado Application for Title or Salvage Title Unrecovered Theft Only.

    • Certificate of Title assigned to the insurance company by the insured.

    • An unrecovered out-of-state vehicle does not require a VIN Verification.

    • Insurance companies cannot bond to establish title on an unrecovered theft.

• The vehicle owner(s) is required to provide the following documents to the county motor vehicle office where they reside to pay all applicable sales tax or to show proof that all taxes were paid:

  • • A copy of the police report to indicate the vehicle was reported stolen.

    • A letter from the insurance company that is requesting a title in the owners’ name.

    • The title transferred properly to the applicant and all required supporting documents.

    • Odometer Disclosure – The owner of the vehicle will give their best estimate on the title or on a secure odometer disclosure form. If the vehicle is recovered and the odometer reading is less than what the owner’s best estimate was, the current reading is used, and the indicator will be “Not Actual”.

• The transaction must be processed in DRIVES as a "New Ownership" with the "Not Title or Registering Vehicle" checkbox marked when collecting sales tax only.

• Return all the documents to the vehicle owner and provide a copy of the receipt as proof that all applicable sales tax was paid.

• Instruct the vehicle owner to apply for title at the Department with the following documents:

  • • DR 2593 State of Colorado Application for Title or Salvage Title Unrecovered Theft Only.

    • A copy of the police report to indicate the vehicle was reported stolen.

    • A letter from the insurance company that is requesting a title in the owners’ name.

    • The title transferred properly to the applicant and all required supporting documents.

    • Copy of receipt as proof that all applicable sales tax was paid.

County Statement for Issuance of Title

This form is used by the county clerk’s office when they are taking responsibility for paperwork that was submitted to that county.

EXAMPLES:

Missing Document(s) – The application was accepted at the county office and the paperwork was submitted to the Department. The application was rejected by the Department because the POA was missing. The county may complete the DR 2420 County Statement of Acceptance of Responsibility for Issuance of Title to take responsibility for the missing POA.

Missing Application(s) – The documents did not get scanned. The paperwork cannot be found to submit it to the Department. The county may complete the DR 2420 County Statement of Acceptance of Responsibility for Issuance of Title to take responsibility for the missing paperwork.

Title Recall

All title recalls processed as a rejection by the Title Service Unit (TSU) will be sent back to the county to complete the recall activity.  For general title recall assistance or to remove a title recall, please email dor_trcustomerservice@state.co.us. 

Suspected Fraudulent Documents

Fraudulent Document(s): A fraudulent document is any document such as a Title, Registration, Insurance Card etc,. that was presented by a customer that is a false representation of the original, it appears to be counterfeit, altered, or non-genuine) (otherwise fake).

Types of Suspected Fraud

• POA/Notary: If a customer has presented a power of attorney that appears to have an incorrect notary seal, or the customer frequently uses the same POA and Notary under what appears to be suspicious activity.

• Dealer Licensing Fraud: If you suspect a customer is unlawfully selling vehicles as a non- licensed dealer.

• Fraudulent DL/ID: If you suspect a customer has shown SVID such as    a driver license or identification card that appears to be counterfeit or altered, follow the fraud procedures.

• Suspicious Incident/Person: If you suspect a person is attempting to defraud the DMV in any manner report suspicious activity to the Department.

• Other: This section is for any other type of referral you deem pertinent for the department.

Suspected Fraud Reporting Process

If an application is suspected to be fraudulent but there is not enough information to deny the application, form DR2407 will need to be completed. Form DR2407  must be scanned with all other title documentation. Once you have created the record, you can select Request for Investigation from the Vehicle titling case.