If you have a car with no title in the state of Colorado, you can go and get a bonded title. The title bond allows the owner of a vehicle to claim the ownership of a vehicle when they do not have the original title.
Also known as a lost title bond, the bonded title is a kind of surety bond or a document that shows you are the legal owner of a vehicle. It is the same as a regular motor vehicle title, and you can use it to drive the car legally around Colorado, sell the car, and register the car. Unlike the regular title, this title is marked "bonded" in its brand section. The branding shows that there is a surety bond attached to the title.
The surety bond shows that you are the true owner of the vehicle. You are accountable for any claims on your surety bond.
How Do You Get a Bonded Title in Colorado?
-
Contact your local DMV
To start the process of applying for the bonded title, attempt to contact your local DMV. The local DMV will check if you are eligible for the bonded title.
-
Schedule a vehicle inspection
Explain your situation without leaving out any details and then ask if it is possible to get a bonded title. If the DMV office gives you the go-ahead, the next step will be to schedule a vehicle inspection. The Colorado law enforcement officer is responsible for vehicle inspections, and they give you a certified VIN vehicle inspection form after the inspection. You need to pay $20 for the inspection.
-
Perform a title record search
After the inspection, you need to perform a title record search. The Colorado Title Search will cost you $2.20, and you can have it delivered by mail, or you can pick it up from the Denver State Office. If you choose to send your form by mail, the process may take up to 30 days, but the processing at the Denver office is instant.
-
Get a lien release
A record search shows any existing records on a vehicle. If there are records on the vehicle, you may only need to contact the previous owner of the vehicle and get the title. The presence of an original title from a previous seller means you do not need a bonded title anymore. The search also shows any liens on the vehicle. Until you get a lien release, you cannot qualify for a Colorado bonded title.
-
Get an appraised value of the vehicle
You need a licensed motor vehicle dealer in Colorado to do the appraisal. After the appraisal, the dealer needs to write the appraisal value on their letterhead and sign it, including the dealership license number somewhere in the appraisal. You can also choose price guidebooks for vehicles seven years or newer or computerized valuation services, such as NADA Guides. The appraisal should show the year, make, model, and the VIN of your vehicle.
-
Calculate your bond
The bond amount will be double the appraised value of your vehicle. For instance, if the value of your vehicle is $3,000, the bond amount should be $6,000. After calculating your bond, you will be ready to buy the bonded title.
-
Buy a bond from a surety company
While doing so, use the correct bond amount from the step above. When applying for the Colorado bonded title, ensure that you have the manufacturer and vehicle number. You can see these details on the certified inspection form that you got in earlier steps.
-
Complete the necessary forms and submit your paperwork to the local DMV
You will pay a title fee of $7.20. If the papers get approved, you will get a title marked "bonded."
Colorado Bonded Title Requirements
If you are eligible for the bonded title, here is a list of the things you need to carry out the application process above:
- Certified VIN inspection form written by a certified P.O.S.T inspector
- Motor Vehicle Requestor Release Affidavit of Intended Use form
- Colorado Title Record Search form
- Signed Vehicle Value Appraisal
- Bond Statement Guide & In Lieu of Bond Affidavit form
- Complete form DR 2489A
Once you have all the documents you need, the DMV office will take care of the rest. The DMV office will explain whether you can get a bonded title for a car that previously had a salvage title and other titles.
Who Needs to Get a Bonded Title in Colorado?
A bonded title is essential for people who lack a vehicle title because it has been lost, stolen, or improperly assigned, or if they've only received a bill of sale when buying the vehicle. It acts as protection against any arguments over who owns the vehicle or any hidden claims on it, letting the owner use the vehicle just like they would with the original title.
If your title was already registered in your name and lost, you can get a duplicate for $8.20, otherwise, a bonded title is the solution to validate your vehicle ownership.
Your bonded title, labeled "bonded" for three years, will expire after this period, allowing you to apply to the DMV to remove this brand and obtain a clean title, assuming no claims are made against your bond. While you can sell your vehicle within these three years, you remain responsible for any bond claims until this period ends. For assistance and more information, contact your local DMV office or visit the DMV Colorado Gov website.
