Motor Vehicle Frequently Asked Questions

No. Vehicle registration transactions must be completed in the county where you reside.

View the Welcome to Colorado webpage.

For an estimate of your plate fees, click here.

Once the county receives your paperwork from the dealership, your title will be processed and issued. When the title has been issued, you will receive a Title Complete Notice and may then obtain your plates.

You can check your title status here.

A VIN inspection is required when registering a vehicle in Colorado for the first time from another state, unless you have a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO).

Please call us at 720.523.6010 and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you.

Yes we do! Please view the Kiosk section on this page for more information.

Your vehicle registration expires on the last day of the month, one year from when it was issued. You have until the last day of the following month to renew before you are considered late.

Example: If your registration expires January 31st, you have until February 28th to renew.
Please note that expired plates may not be displayed on any vehicle driven on Colorado roads. Driving with expired registration is a Class B traffic infraction and may result in a fine.

The Grace Period is the one-month window after your registration expires during which you can still renew without being considered late.

Example: If your registration expires January 31st, you have until February 28th to renew.

No. Once you complete your renewal online, your registration sticker and receipt will be mailed to you. Office pickup is not available.

Yes, in some cases. If you renew within 15 days of the end of the Grace Period, your receipt, along with your expired Colorado Registration/Ownership Tax Receipt, serves as valid proof of registration for 15 days from the date you renewed online. Both documents must be available if requested by law enforcement.

Some military license plates are exempt from taxes and fees. If your vehicle is registered with an exempt military plate, your registration is automatically renewed, no action is needed on your part.

You can renew up to one month before your registration expires, or at any time after it has expired. If your registration is 13 months or more past its expiration date, you will also need to obtain new plates.

Yes. Vehicles that are not being operated must still be registered and meet emissions requirements. However, the following forms may apply to your situation:

• Non-Use: If your vehicle is temporarily not in use, the DR 2303 Non-Use of Vehicle form can be used in place of proof of insurance.
• Inoperable: If your vehicle cannot be driven, the DR 2910 Inoperable Vehicle Declaration form may apply.

Adams County sends renewal notices to all currently registered vehicle owners as a courtesy. You can renew in any of the following ways:

• Online: myDMV.colorado.gov
• By Mail: Adams County Motor Vehicle, PO Box 5011, Brighton, CO 80601
• By Phone: 720.523.6010
• In Person: Visit any of our motor vehicle offices

We encourage residents to renew online whenever possible to save time.

1. Review your renewal notice and confirm all information is correct.
2. If you have moved out of Adams County, contact your new county of residence to renew.
3. If you have recently moved to Adams County from another Colorado county, your fees may differ. Please call us at 720.523.6010 before mailing — have your license plate number, vehicle information, and new Adams County address ready.
4. If an emissions test is required, include proof of your new test.
5. Include proof of insurance.
6. Make your check payable to Adams County Clerk and ensure it is signed.
7. Mail everything to: Adams County Motor Vehicle, P.O. Box 5011, Brighton, CO 80601-8215

Please allow up to 14 days for processing. If your renewal is received after the Grace Period has ended, the fees will be different and the renewal will be returned to you.

Bring the following to any of our motor vehicle offices:

• Your renewal notice or current vehicle registration
• Proof of a new emissions test (if required)
• Proof of insurance

We accept cash, credit card, or check made payable to Adams County Clerk. To plan your visit, check current wait times at the bottom of the Motor Vehicle page.

View locations: comvexpress.com

• To renew at a kiosk, you will need your license plate number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and the following must be in order before you arrive:
  • Your vehicle is registered in a participating county (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Fremont, Jefferson, La Plata, Larimer, Mesa, Pueblo, Summit, or Weld)
  • Your address is correct on your renewal notice
  • Your proof of liability insurance is on file with the Colorado State Insurance database (updated by your insurance provider)
  • A valid, passing Vehicle Emissions Inspection is on file, if applicable

Credit and debit cards are accepted at all kiosk locations. Some locations also accept cash; however, cash is not accepted when using an MV Express kiosk outside of your county of residency. Only one payment method is permitted per transaction.

Please allow at least two business days after completing a vehicle emissions test before renewing at the kiosk. This gives testing facilities time to transmit results electronically to the state system. The kiosk does not accept paper proof of emissions. Your renewal postcard will indicate whether proof of emissions is required.

Please allow 2–4 days after updating your auto insurance before renewing at the kiosk. This gives your insurance provider time to transmit updated information to the statewide vehicle registration system. The kiosk does not accept paper proof of insurance. Your renewal postcard will indicate whether proof of insurance is required.

Simply scan an approved document or enter the required information using the touchscreen, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete your transaction and pay applicable taxes and fees. Your documents and receipt will print on the spot.

• You can use a kiosk to renew registration for the following vehicle types:
  • Personal automobiles
  • Pickup trucks
  • Motorcycles
  • Motor homes
  • Utility trailers
  • Camper trailers
• The kiosk is unable to process renewals for the following:
  • Collector or multi-year renewals
  • Commercial fleet, dealer, government, or taxi/livery vehicles
  • Tow trucks
  • Military exempt license plates, including: Disabled Veteran, Disabled Women Veteran, Air Force Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Silver Star, Former Prisoner of War, and Pearl Harbor Survivor

You may renew at a kiosk beginning the month prior to your registration’s expiration month. For example, if your registration expires in June, you may begin renewing in May. Please be aware that a late fee of $25 per month, along with back ownership taxes, will be assessed if you renew after your one-month grace period has expired.

Please call ITI Customer Care at 1.866.955.5258 with any questions about transactions at a kiosk.

• To renew by mail, you will need the following:
  • Renewal notice or a check/money order that references your vehicle by plate number or VIN
  • Proof of insurance, if indicated on your renewal notice (a copy is acceptable)
  • Proof of a passing emissions test, if indicated on your renewal notice
  • Check or money order made payable to Adams County Clerk (ensure the check is signed)
• Please note that if your renewal is received after the one-month grace period, additional fees will apply.

• To process your registration by phone, you will need the following:
  • VIN or title number
  • Proof of insurance — please email a copy to MVServiceCenter@adamscountyco.gov before calling
  • Proof of a passing emissions test, if required
  • License plate number from your previous registration, if applicable, to receive any applicable credit
  • Credit card or checking account information
• Please note the following convenience fees apply:
  • A $1.00 convenience fee for payment by check or e-check
  • A $0.75 transaction fee plus a 2.25% service charge for credit card payments

Your vehicle must be titled in the county where you live or where the vehicle is primarily kept.

You can look up your county using the Sales Tax Lookup website.

Visit our Registering an Out-of-State Vehicle page for a full list of required documents.

Yes, visit our Registering an Out-of-State Vehicle page for a full list of required documents.

The process depends on how and where you purchased the vehicle. Please follow the link that matches your situation:

• From an out-of-state dealership
• From a Colorado dealership with cash
• From a private party with cash

If no title was provided at the time of purchase, you will need to obtain a Surety Bond to establish the title. Please review the DR 2922 Title or Salvage Title Established by Surety Bond form for instructions and requirements.

The documents required depend on the ownership situation:

• Sole owner: You will need Letters of Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or a Small Estates Affidavit identifying who is authorized to sign for the vehicle, along with a death certificate.
• Joint tenancy with right of survivorship (two owners): The surviving owner may sign the title with a copy of the death certificate.
• Two owners, one deceased, one with Power of Attorney: Letters of Testamentary, Administration, or Small Estates are required for the deceased owner, and the Power of Attorney document is required for the surviving owner.

For more details, visit our Removing a Deceased Owner from a Colorado Title page.

• Adding a name: The current owner(s) must sign the back of the title as the seller, then list themselves again as the buyer along with the person being added. If the addition is due to a marriage and a name change is involved, please bring a copy of your marriage certificate.
• Removing a name: All current owners must sign the title as sellers, with only the remaining owner listed as the buyer. If one owner is unwilling to sign but a court order designates ownership, that documentation will be accepted. If the removal is due to a divorce, bring a copy of your divorce decree.

Both transactions require a Secure and Verifiable ID (DR 2841). For more information, visit our Add or Drop a Name from a Colorado Title page.

Download and complete the DR 2539A Duplicate Title/Lien Request and Receipt form. Submit the completed form along with payment and either a lien release letter from your lender or a stamped title showing the lien has been released. This can be done in person at your county motor vehicle office or by mail, as outlined on the form. For more information, visit our Lien Filing and Removal page.

A valid title is required to sell a vehicle in Colorado. All parties listed as owners on the title must sign the “Signature of Seller” section. The signature must match the printed name on the title exactly.

A few additional things to keep in mind:

• Some out-of-state titles require the seller’s signature to be notarized. If you are unsure whether notarization is required, please call our office at 720.523.6010.
• If someone is signing on behalf of an owner through a Power of Attorney, that document must also be provided.

For more information, visit our Selling a Vehicle page.