Colorado Certificate of Title Bonds

Get Your Colorado Title Bond

Who Is Required to Purchase a Colorado Title Bond?

You're required to purchase a title bond if:

• The original title does not have the seller's name and/or your name on the back
• There's been a mistake in ownership records
• There is a gap in ownership
• The original title is damaged or illegible
• The original title is missing

In Colorado the title bond process is required for all vehicles, including motorcycles, large trailers (over 2,000 lbs), and manufactured homes.

In order to get a bonded title for a vehicle or home, the new owner must be in possession of the vehicle and it must be located in Colorado.

There are 6 steps to getting the "bonded title" process completed in Colorado.

How To Purchase a Colorado Title Bond

Step 1: Determine the Value of the Vehicle

The value of the vehicle must be determined from one of the following ways:

Appraisal

A licensed Colorado motor vehicle dealer or a licensed used vehicle dealer must conduct an appraisal. This appraisal must include the following on official dealership letterhead:

• Date of the appraisal
• Dealership license number

If you can't get the appraisal on official letterhead, it must be notarized.

Kelly Blue Book

Using Kelly Blue Book is the easiest and fastest method. Just go through the process on the Kelly Blue Book website.

After you answer all of the questions, you'll be given three values. The middle value should be the average of the top and bottom value. This would be the value of the vehicle you would use.

National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)

You can also use the current value given from the NADA Official Car Guide. Just print and circle the value given.

For Manufactured Homes

The value of the home will be determined by the actual value from the county Assessor's office. The records must include the year, make of the home and VIN.

Step 2: Calculate The Bond Amount

The title bond amount in Colorado is 2x (twice) the value of the vehicle.

Just to be clear, if the value of your vehicle is $15,000, the bond amount would be $30,000.

Step 3: Purchase The Title Bond

If the title bond amount is equal to or less than $10,000, we have already secured a low fixed price of $100 for the title bond.

Click here and purchase your bond today.

If the bond amount is equal to or less than $50,000 the price will be 1.0% to 1.5% of your bond amount.

Click here and you can get instant pricing for your bond and purchase today.

If you're bond amount is over $50,000, a custom quote is required by the surety.

Getting a Custom Quote for High Value Vehicles or Homes

Bond amounts over $50,000 require the surety (the insurance company) to check personal credit.

And this is why it's so important to work with Surety Bonds Direct.

Even if you have less than stellar credit, we can help you get the lowest possible pricing for your bond because we price shop for you using multiple sureties.

It doesn't cost you anything to have us price shop for you. Once you receive pricing, there's no obligation to purchase your title bond.

So you have no risk to request pricing so you can make the right decision for you and your situation.

Colorado Title Bonds Last 3 Years

The prices above are a one time purchase price for a 3 year term.

This 3 year term allows enough time for any rightful owner to come forward and make a claim to the vehicle.

After the 3 year period, you can take the bonded title back to your local tax office and they will issue you a standard title.

The surety bond will automatically expire. There's nothing you have to do.

Why is a Colorado Title Bond Required?

Remember, the title bond is a guarantee that you are the rightful owner of the vehicle.

However, because the title is missing, damaged, or filled out incorrectly, it's impossible to "prove" the rightful owner.

The title bond backs is protection for:

• Any previous owner who still legally owns the vehicle
• Any third party who has an ownership claim (typically through a lien)

It's vital you do your due diligence when you purchase your vehicle or manufactured home. Make sure the vehicle has not been stolen.

Once you have a standard title, the vehicle is yours. Any claim from another party will be denied.

The 8 Steps To Get a Colorado Bonded Title

Step 1: VIN Inspection by a POST Inspector

Unless you have an inspection already completed from within the past 12 months, you will have to have a POST (Peace Officers Standards and Training) certified inspector complete a VIN inspection.

This inspection costs $53 and it's required to verify the VIN matches the registration on file. However, because you may not have the title, here's what you need.

• A copy of the bill of sale if possible
• A copy of the invalid title as proof of purchase
• A death certificate in the case of obtaining the vehicle through an estate
• A $0 bill of sale in the case of a vehicle received as a gift

Step 2: Motor Vehicle Requestor Release Affidavit of Intended Use

You must write a letter to all owners and lienholders containing:

• The vehicle year, make and VIN
• Your intent (sell, retain)
• Your contact information

If there are any lienholders who have a claim on the vehicle you must include:

• The date of the liens
• The amount of the lien secured by the vehicle
• Where the liens are recorded in public record

You must provide proof that you sent this letter in the form of a:

• Certified receipt
• Domestic return receipt
• Undeliverable notification
• Electronic proof of deliverability

If you find no record of the vehicle in Colorado's database, you must conduct a national database search.

If the national search produces no result you must go back and conduct a search in the state the vehicle was last purchased.

Step 3: Handle Any Active Liens

Just to recap, a lien is a claim on the vehicle. The lien holder was owed money by the previous owner and because they did not pay, they had a lien placed on the vehicle.

Typically when the vehicle sells, the lien holder will get the money they are owed.

If the vehicle has active liens, you must get them released before a title bond can be purchase and a bonded title can be issued.

Write the lienholders explaining the situation. The release of lien must:

• Be on official letterhead unless the lienholder is an individual
• Photos and copies of the letter are accepted

The lien release must include the:

• Make and VIN
• Owner's name
• Agents signature
• And the date of the release

If The Lienholder Is In Colorado

If the lienholder is not reachable but the last known address is in Colorado, you must send a letter to get the release and have the letter returned to you as undeliverable. Include this returned letter in your packet.

If The Lienholder Is Out Of State

Contact the state of record where the lien is filed and request a release. Most states provide a statement of release or a lien expiration notice. Make sure this paperwork is on official state letterhead.

Manufactured Home

If you're trying to title a mobile home you must also include:

• A court order or judgment identifying the home by year and VIN
• Proof of ownership of the real property (the land the home sits on)
• Proof of paid property taxes

Purchase The Title Bond

Click here to go back to the title bond process above.

Step 4: Complete The Bond Statement Guide & In Lieu of Bond Affidavit

This must include the following information:

• Why bonding for ownership is required including the bond itself
• What attempts were made to contact the owner of record to insure they have no interest
• From whom and when purchased and amount paid
• Efforts to have the seller establish title
• Vehicles or homes year make and VIN
• If there are any liens against the vehicle or home
• If the vehicle is road worthy

If you're trying to title a manufactured home:

• Whether the home is on a permanent foundation

Step 5: Is The Vehicle a Salvage Vehicle?

A salvaged vehicle is a vehicle that has been rebuilt from a damaged state.

Regardless of whether the vehicle has been or currently is salvaged, it needs to be inspected by A P.O.S.T. certified inspector.

If the vehicle is deemed roadworthy, follow the all steps we've gone through to get it titled.

Vehicle Deemed No Roadworthy

• Apply for a salvage title using the Application for Salvage Title
• Apply for a title by repairing the vehicle
• Complete the Salvage Title Statement of Fact

This process includes outlining what repairs were completed to make the vehicle roadworthy and obtaining a new inspection after repairs have been made.

If The Vehicle Was Previously Salvage

• Request a salvage history
• Submit a Motor Vehicle Requestor Release Affidavit or Intended Use
• Obtain a copy of the VIN inspection
• Obtain a copy of the Statement of Fact
• Complete the Rebuilt from Salvage Disclosure

Step 6: Apply for Vehicle Title

Finally, you can take all the required paperwork and title bond and apply for a bonded title at your local motor vehicle office in the county you live in.

Manufactured homes must be titled at the motor vehicle office in the county where the home is located.

Surety Bonds Direct Is Ready To Help You Purchase Your Title Bond

When you're ready to purchase your title bond, remember:

• You can get instant pricing if the bond amount is under $50,000
• We will find you the lowest pricing possible if the bond amount is over $50,000

All price quotes cost you nothing and you have zero obligation to purchase once you get pricing.

So get your pricing today so you can get your vehicle registered as quickly and with as least cost as possible.