Vehicle Bill Of Sale In Colorado State

Obtaining a vehicle in Colorado can be a little more difficult than in other states. This is because a Colorado vehicle bill of sale can be a little more complicated than others and requires a little more information. The good news is that creating a good bill of sale in Colorado isn't any more difficult than in other states; you need to check a little more information.

The Vehicle Bill Of Sale

A Colorado bill of sale is a document that helps to verify the transfer of ownership of a vehicle between the buyer and seller. A vehicle bill of sale should be completed and submitted by the vehicle seller and any other documentation required when selling a motor vehicle. Although it is not required to complete a car title transfer, the document can help provide both parties with additional protection during a vehicle sale. As a result, the Colorado car bill of sale must be completed by the seller and signed by both parties involved in the transaction. The form requests that both parties provide their personal information and information about the vehicle in question.

When Is It Needed?

In Colorado, an auto bill of sale is required in certain situations when individuals are selling or purchasing a motor vehicle. When transferring ownership rights of a motor vehicle to another person, the bill of sale form is recommended. Furthermore, a bill of sale template must be completed if the buyer must drive the vehicle before completing the car registration or if the car title lacks the space required to fill out essential vehicle information during the title change, such as the odometer reading. Finally, the form provides proof of the vehicle transaction to both the seller and buyer, which can be extremely useful in future disagreements.

Who Needs It?

A Colorado car bill of sale is a document signed by two parties involved in the sale of a vehicle. Although both parties require the printed bill of sale PDF to complete the procedure, the seller must fill out the CO bill of sale template with their personal information and vehicle details. The seller and the buyer should then sign the form to confirm the validity of the transaction and the information contained in the document. A generic bill of sale is useful for vehicle sellers because it proves that the vehicle is no longer in their possession. This can absolve the seller of liability if the vehicle is later linked to traffic violations. A copy can also be useful to buyers if there is a dispute about the vehicle's ownership, value, or date of purchase.

Colorado Bill Of Sale Requirements

While bills of sale are not required in Colorado, some conditions must be met for a document you signed to be considered a vehicle bill of sale. If any of these pieces of information are missing from your document, it may not be considered a valid bill of sale.

Contact Information

The contact information for the buyer and seller is one of the most important parts of a Colorado bill of sale.

Seller Information

The seller must provide their name and phone number in Colorado. In the case of a dealership, they can provide the dealership's name instead of a personal name. The seller must also sign and date the bill of sale, attesting that all information on the bill of sale is correct.

Buyer Information

In Colorado, the buyer is responsible for a little more contact information. They must provide their name, the date, and their signature, as well as their address. This is to help track vehicle ownership and provide another way to contact the buyer if there are any issues. This is another way to verify your identity if you need to use your bill of sale as proof of ownership in Colorado.

Vehicle Information

Your bill of sale must include some critical vehicle information to be valid. In Colorado, make sure your bill of sale includes the make/model/color and other distinguishing features of the vehicle you're purchasing. Along with some basic identification information, you must also provide:
  • VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
    • The vehicle identification number is one of the most important pieces of information on your bill of sale. This unique identifier is assigned to your vehicle and printed in several places on the vehicle. This unique identifier distinguishes your vehicle from other vehicles of the same make, model, and color and is one of the primary ways you can identify your vehicle if it's been stolen or to ensure you're getting the right vehicle from a dealership.
  • License Plate Number
    • Because private sellers frequently sell vehicles without a license plate, your license plate number may not be applicable in all cases. If you purchase your vehicle from a dealership, they will usually provide you with a temporary license plate, and that number should be noted on your bill of sale.
  • Registration Number
    • Your registration number functions similarly to your license number. If you buy from a dealership, the vehicle may come with a temporary registration card, and that number should be on your bill of sale. However, if you buy from a private seller, the old registration number is used instead. That's one reason to double-check that the seller's information matches the registration number on the bill of sale. Until your vehicle is registered in your name, your bill of sale can be used to demonstrate that you are still within the grace period for registering a new vehicle in your name.

Sale Information

The final thing to remember is to include information about the sale. This includes the sale price, the vehicle's value, and the date of the sale. This information calculates your registration fees, sales and property taxes, and other fees associated with owning a vehicle. Because not all transactions occur immediately, Colorado requires that the bill of sale include the time of sale. This way, you'll know when a vehicle is legally yours.

Additional Requirements

Most people know that when they purchase a new vehicle, they must have it licensed and registered within a few days. However, there are additional requirements when buying or selling a vehicle to register it, most notably emissions testing in Colorado. To be registered in Colorado, almost all vehicles must undergo emissions testing and meet relatively stringent standards. However, if your vehicle fails emissions and requires repair, you can apply for a temporary registration extension to get the vehicle repaired and ready to pass emissions.

Completing The Bill Of Sale

Vehicle owners selling their vehicles to another party should fill out a simple bill of sale. The buyer should then sign the completed Colorado bill of sale form. Remember that you will not need this document if you buy from a car dealership. The following information must be included in the document:
  • Date of sale and purchase price
  • Vehicle information, such as the year, make, and model, as well as the vehicle identification number (VIN)
  • Name and signature of the vehicle seller
  • Name and signature of vehicle purchaser
Sellers must provide a bill of sale PDF to vehicle buyers after printing and filling out the form. However, before signing the Colorado bill of sale, vehicle buyers should double-check the written information to avoid future legal complications.