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Clerk Motor Vehicle Registration

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1. How much will it cost to register my vehicle?

Please use our New Vehicle Fee Estimate Calculator to determine an estimate of your registration fees. This tool works for first-time registrations only, and includes ownership taxes and license fees. It will not include sales tax. It also does not work to estimate fees for a renewal.

Taxes and fees to register vehicles in the State of Colorado are based on age of the vehicle, weight, taxable value, purchase date, and type of license plate requested. See tax rates and fees in Arapahoe County.

2. Do I need an emission test to register/renew my vehicle?

Colorado has established vehicle emissions testing programs to protect our air quality. Your vehicle registration renewal postcard will indicate if your vehicle is due for an emissions test. See our Emissions Information page

3. My temporary tags will be expiring soon. Can I come in and get license plates?

If you financed a vehicle through a dealer/leader, your title paperwork must be completed by the dealership and County. This process takes up to 60 days.

If it has been less than 55 days since your temporary tags were issued, please wait to receive a Title Complete postcard in the mail. Once you receive this postcard, you can visit any of your branch offices to register your vehicle.

If it has been more than 55 days since your temporary tags were issued and you have not received a Title Complete postcard, please visit one of our branch offices to request an extension on your temporary tags. The cost is $7.08 for another temporary registration.

See payment options and what to bring to register your vehicle on our Motor Vehicle registration page.

4. I purchased a vehicle or moved my vehicle from another state. What do I need to register my vehicle?

You will need a valid form of ID, the vehicle title, proof of Colorado auto insurance, a proof of an emissions test if applicable, an odometer disclosure, a bill of sale, and the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin OR a title that specifies the vehicle weight.

If you have a loan or lease on the vehicle, you also need to bring the security agreement.

You also need a cash, check, credit or debit card for payment of fees and taxes.

Finally, you also need a VIN verification completed by an authorized agent in Colorado. We can do this for you at our branches, weather permitting, for a fee of $12.

For more information, please see these requirements for Out-of-State Titles

5. Do I have to bring proof of insurance to register, renew or obtain a temporary registration?

Yes. Valid and current proof of auto insurance is required to register a vehicle in Colorado. We accept the following as proof of insurance:

-Valid insurance card (fax acceptable)
-Declaration page (fax acceptable)
-Binder/letter from an insurance company on company letterhead (fax acceptable)
-Electronic proof of insurance. This may be, but is not limited to, an insurer-provided electronic image/proof on applicant’s cellular phone, lap top, or other portable type of electronic device.

For more information, see a complete list of Registration Requirements

6. I renewed my vehicle registration online but did not receive my tabs in the mail. Can I get replacement tabs?

If you recently moved to a new address but did not specifically update your address on your motor vehicle registration, it is likely that your tabs were mailed to your old address.

Renewal postcards are forwardable, but registrations are not. If you updated your address with the U.S. Postal Service, your renewal postcard would have been forwarded to your new address. However, you did not file a change of address specifically with the County's Motor Vehicle Division, then your registration was sent to your old address.

Please come to one of our County offices to request replacement tabs and to file a change of address. We will void the original tabs. There is a cost of $2.37 for replacement tabs, which can be paid by cash, check or credit/debit card. See our locations and hours.

7. My registration receipt, validating stickers (tabs) and/or license plates were lost or stolen. What do I do?

Please visit any of our four motor vehicle office locations to request a replacement. Associated fees will be assessed. Please call us at 303-795-4500 to learn what you need to bring.

8. I just moved to Arapahoe County or within Arapahoe County. How can I change my address on my motor vehicle registration?

We can assist with address changes on Motor Vehicle registration for Arapahoe County residents only. You have three options to file a change of address. You may complete our online form, or call our hotline at 303-795-4500, or visit our any of our Motor Vehicle office locations. A new registration with your new address will be mailed to you within three business days.

Please note, if you already received your renewal postcard at your old address, it is too late to change your address and renew online. Instead, please return the renewal postcard with payment and write your new address in the field provided.

Please also note, you will also need to use a different form to change your address on your Colorado Driver's License or ID card.

9. Can I get a credit for registration fees already paid when I sell my vehicle and register a new one?

Please bring the current registration and bill of sale or invoice for the vehicle you sold or traded in to determine if a credit can be applied to your new registration.

10. Can I obtain a temporary registration instead of renewing a registration for a vehicle that I intend to sell?

No.

11. I just moved out of Arapahoe County. Do I still need to renew my vehicle in Arapahoe County?

No. Please contact the county where you now reside. Find a motor vehicle office in your county

12. I just purchased a new car from a dealership and it is financed. What do I do now?

Our office will receive paperwork from the dealership and send you a Title Complete Card in the mail once we process your title application. To register your vehicle, please bring the Title Complete Card, proof of current insurance for the vehicle purchased, proof of emissions (if applicable), identification and the license plates or registration of plates your wish to transfer to any of our Motor Vehicle offices.

If you do not receive a Title Complete Card prior to your temporary registration expiring, please contact our office at 303-795-4500 for assistance.

13. Can I renew my registration over the phone?

We do not process motor vehicle renewals over the phone.

14. How do I apply for a Persons with Disabilities parking placard or license plate?

Please see this information and requirements.

15. Can I renew my registration online?

Yes. You can renew your motor vehicle registration if your current registration has not expired (including one month grace period). Certain vehicle types are eligible and other restrictions apply. To renew online or for additional information, visit www.colorado.gov/renewplates.

16. What forms of payment do you accept?

Payment Options For Motor Vehicle Registration and Titles: In our offices, we accept cash, check and money orders, debit cards and credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. Checks must be payable to Arapahoe County Clerk for the exact amount. We do not accept checks under $10. (Note: A transaction fee for credit/debit card will apply. This service is provided by a third-party vendor for the State of Colorado. The price of items purchased through this service includes funds to develop, maintain and enhance the state’s official web portal, Colorado.gov.)

Payment Options For Driver's License and ID Cards: In our offices, we accept only cash or check. Checks must be payable to Arapahoe County Clerk for the exact amount. We do not accept checks under $10. Please note: You may renew your driver's license or ID card online with a valid credit card. 

17. How much did I pay in ownership tax?

Your registration receipt shows the amount you paid in Specific Ownership and Prior Specific Ownership Tax. Make sure you retain a copy of registration receipt for income tax purposes.

18. What is the sales tax rate for my address?

To see your sales tax rate, please enter your residential address at GeoTax.com

19. How do I determine the MSRP of my vehicle?

If your vehicle is registered in Arapahoe County, you may call us at 303-795-4500 and provide the full VIN number for the vehicle to obtain the MSRP.

If your vehicle is not already registered in our county and/or you do not know the VIN, you will need to contact an auto dealership and request the MSRP for your vehicle year, make, model and specific amenities.

20. How do I obtain a Certificate of Title for a vehicle I purchased if there is no Certificate of Title in existence?

Please contact our office for details at 303-795-4500

21. I am unable to locate my Colorado Certificate of Title. How do I obtain a duplicate title?

Please visit any of our motor vehicle office locations to apply for a duplicate title. Please see this web page for a list of documents that you must bring with you to apply. For additional information, please call us at 303-795-4500.

22. I am unable to locate my Certificate of Title that was issued in a different state.

Please contact the state of issuance for assistance.