Can you transfer a title without registering the vehicle

Get a Certificate of Title with a Vehicle Registration

In most cases, a vehicle is titled and registered at the same time. If you want to get both a Certificate of Title and register the vehicle, go to: How to Register a New Vehicle or How to Register a Used Vehicle.

Get a Certificate of Title without a Vehicle Registration

If you want to get only a Certificate of Title, the New Mexico MVD will issue a title without registering the vehicle or issuing a license plate, under a limited number of conditions, as outlined below. In all cases, you will need to show the MVD one proof of identity and two proofs of New Mexico residency.

For a Vehicle that Does Not Operate

This is usually a vehicle that is purchased for reconstruction or rebuilding, mechanically or otherwise, and which the buyer does not intend to operate for an extended period of time. You must pay the title fee and the excise tax on the vehicle, but no plate will be issued. Once the vehicle is operable, you can go to the MVD with your proof of insurance and register the vehicle. For complete information on registering a vehicle, go to: How to Register a New Vehicle or How to Register a Used Vehicle.

For a Vehicle that is a Gift and to be Traded-In

If you have been given a vehicle as a gift, and are planning to trade it in on another vehicle, you can get just a Certificate of Title on the vehicle. Take the current title with the ‘Assignment of Title’ and ‘Odometer Disclosure Statement’ completed and signed to the MVD. You must pay a title fee.

For a Vehicle that is Not Insured

If you have purchased a vehicle for which you cannot get insurance, you can get just a Certificate of Title on the vehicle. Take the current title with the ‘Assignment of Title’ and ‘Odometer Disclosure Statement’ completed and signed to the MVD. You must pay the title fee and the excise tax on the vehicle, but no license plate will be issued. Once you do get insurance on the vehicle, you can register the vehicle. For complete information on registering a vehicle, go to: How to Register a New Vehicle or How to Register a Used Vehicle.

Types of Title Transfers

Learn How to Transfer a Title through a Purchase, Gift, Inheritance and More.

Buying or Selling a Vehicle

Seller Responsibilities

1. Sign title. Once you have closed the deal on the sale of a vehicle, you must transfer the title to the new owner by properly endorsing the title .
2. Remove plates. By Colorado State Law, sellers must retain their own plates before the buyer drives away. If plates are left on the vehicle when transferred to a new owner, you could be liable for traffic tickets and other legal problems that are connected with the plate number—and with you. If you forgot to remove your plates, you must report them lost or stolen.

Buyer Responsibilities

If you are buying a car from a private party, you may first want to learn as much as you can about the history of the vehicle and its title, before you sign any documents, by obtaining a vehicle history report online. Within 60 days upon sale of a motor vehicle, the buyer must either register the vehicle or present the certificate of title with an application for title to the Denver County DMV (we serve Denver residents only).

1. Endorse title. Make sure the seller properly endorses the title over to you in order to avoid problems at the DMV. (See how to properly endorse a title.)
2. Complete Bill of Sale. Have the seller provide you with a signed and dated Bill of Sale (PDF), including your name, the purchase price, the VIN, and the year and make of the vehicle.
3. Obtain temporary tags. Obtain temporary tag (permit) in order to operate your newly purchased vehicle on roadways legally. See below for more details on operation of an unregistered vehicle.
4. Operation of an unregistered vehicle. A buyer of a vehicle may operate a vehicle on the highway prior to registering the vehicle or obtaining a temporary permit under the following conditions:

• 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 5p.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 the bill  of sale that identifies the vehicle by year, make and VIN and shows the time and date of sale signed by both the buyer and the seller.
• Proof of insurance.

5.  Register your vehicle.

Transferring Ownership to a Family Member

You can transfer ownership of a vehicle to immediate family, including:

• Grandparents
• Grandchildren
• Cousins
• Siblings
• Parents
• Children

Within 60 days upon the transfer of a motor vehicle, the new owner must either register the vehicle or present the certificate of title with an application for title to the Denver County DMV (Denver residents only). If you are not a Denver County resident, please visit the State of Colorado DMV website to locate your branch office

How To Proceed With title Assignment:

1. Endorsed title. Be sure the title is properly endorsed by the vehicle owner(s) listed on the title.
2. Owner identification. Bring your owner identification (secure and verifiable) or designated power of attorney completed and notarized Form DR2175 and applicant's own identification (secure and verifiable), to one of Denver's DMV branch offices (Denver residents only).
3. Vehicle identification number (VIN) verification. A VIN verification is required if the seller has an out-of-state title or the vehicle is from outside Colorado. An approved entity must complete a VIN verification Form DR2698. Denver Motor Vehicle will perform VIN verifications for a nominal fee of $ 20.00 per vehicle. 

NOTE: To register a vehicle you received as a gift, additional information such as proof of insurance, standard emissions test and other crucial documents are required.

Gifting or Donating a Vehicle

To donate a vehicle as a gift, the process is the same as transferring a title to a family member. Within 60 days upon the transfer of a motor vehicle, the new owner must either register the vehicle or present the certificate of title with an application for title to the Denver County DMV (Denver residents only). If you are not a Denver County resident, please visit the State of Colorado DMV website to locate your branch office.

How To Proceed With Title Assignment:

1. Endorsed title. Be sure the title is properly endorsed by the vehicle owner(s) listed on the title.
2. New owner identification. Bring your owner identification (secure and verifiable) or designated power of attorney completed and notarized Form DR2175 and applicant's own identification (secure and verifiable), to one of Denver's DMV branch offices (Denver residents only).
3. Vehicle identification number (VIN) verification. A VIN verification is required if the vehicle is from out-of-state. A VIN inspector must complete a VIN verification Form DR2698. Denver Motor Vehicle will perform VIN verifications for a nominal fee of $ 20.00 per vehicle. 

Inheriting a Vehicle

When someone passes away, a rightful heir can claim the deceased owner's vehicle. The process for transferring ownership varies. Please see situations below for more information. Within 60 days upon the transfer of a motor vehicle, the new owner must either register the vehicle or present the certificate of title with an application for title to the Denver County DMV (Denver residents only). If you are not a Denver County resident, please visit the State of Colorado DMV website to locate your branch office.

Documents Required For Title Transfer:

1. Death certificate.
2. Court order. A copy of the court order such as the Letters of Testamentary appointing you: 

   a) personal representative; b) executor of estate; or c) original Small Estates Proceedings.

3. Title signed by court appointed representative and / or surviving owners. a) When a single person is listed on the title, bring the title in the decedents name  (the "decedent" is the person who died), signed by the representative named on court papers or Small Estates Proceedings, in the  Seller's Signature area of the title (see how to properly endorse a title)

   b) When two owners names appear on the title and  Joint Tenancy with Rights of Survivorship  does not appear on the title, the title must be signed by the representative named on court papers or Small Estates Proceedings,  and the other surviving owner in the  Seller's Signature area of the title.

   c) When two owners names are listed on the title and appear  with  Joint Tenancy with Rights of Survivorship, the title must be signed by the surviving owner only in the Seller's Signature area of the title

4. New owner identification. Bring your owner identification  (secure and verifiable) or designated power of attorney completed and notarized  Form DR2175 and applicant's own identification  (secure and verifiable), to one of Denver's DMV branch offices (Denver residents only).
5. Vehicle identification number (VIN) verification. A VIN verification is required if the seller has an out-of-state title or the vehicle is from outside Colorado. An approved entity must complete a VIN verification Form DR2698. Denver Motor Vehicle will perform VIN verifications for a nominal fee of $ 20.00 per vehicle. 

Paying Off a Loan (Removing a Lien)

After paying off your car loan, it's customary for the lienholder to release the lien on the front of the title and mail it to you. If you choose, you may remove the lienholder's name from the title by bringing the following to one of Denver County's DMV branch offices (Denver residents only):

1. Title
2. Payment of $7.20

How to properly endorse a title

To avoid wasted time and hassle at the DMV, you must be sure to properly endorse your vehicle title when transferring it to a buyer, family member or another party for as part of a sale or gift. 

1. If the vehicle is under 10 years old, an odometer reading (without decimals) is to be entered into the Odometer Reading area. An odometer indicator checkbox must be checked. If the vehicle age is 10 years or older, no odometer information is required and no buyer signature is required.
2. The seller must hand print in legible manuscript the names of all titled owners listed on the front of the title in the designated Seller's area.
3. All titled owners listed on the front of the title must sign in the designated Seller's Signature area.
4. The hand printed name of all buyers must be printed in the Buyer's Hand Printed Name area.
5. All titled owners listed on the front of the title must sign in the designated Seller's Signature area.
6. The signature of one buyer must be entered in the Buyer's Signature area to acknowledge the odometer reading.
7. The Purchase Date and Purchase Price must always be entered in the appropriate area on the title. If the vehicle is being transferred to a family member for free or is a gift, write "Gift".

Title reassignments which skip the process of registration and titling are not allowed for private party purchases. Title reassignment can only be performed by dealers.

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