Transfer a Car Title After Death in Colorado (Form DR 2712)

Figures verified November 12, 2026 against Colorado DMV: Form DR 2712, Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property Pursuant to Small Estate Proceeding (04/30/26) · Update log

Short answer

When no personal representative has been appointed or applied for and the estate is within Colorado's small estate limit ($88,000), the heirs sign DMV form DR 2712 before a notary at least 10 days after the death. They take it to the county motor vehicle office with the title and the death certificate. A beneficiary named on form DR 2009, a surviving joint owner or an executor with letters uses a different route.

Colorado car title rules at a glance

Form	Form DR 2712, Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property Pursuant to Small Estate Proceeding
Who signs	The successors: the people entitled to the person's property under the will or Colorado law.
Notarized?	Yes. The DR 2712 is signed before a notary.
Waiting period	10 days after the death.
Value limit	Everything the person owned that passes by will or inheritance, wherever it is, less liens, must be within Colorado's small estate limit ($88,000). The form lists the limit for each year of death.
Death certificate	Required with the DR 2712.
Where to file	In person at your county motor vehicle office.

Which route fits you

Start at the top: the first route that matches the title and the estate is the one your county motor vehicle office expects. Each needs different paperwork.

1. The owner named a beneficiary (form DR 2009)

If the owner filled in DR 2009, the Transfer of Title Upon Death Designated Beneficiary form, while alive, the beneficiary takes the car without letters or a small estate affidavit.

Bring the title, the DR 2009 and the death certificate to the county motor vehicle office.
The beneficiary signs as the new owner and pays the $7.20 title fee.

2. The title shows joint tenancy with right of survivorship

If the title says "joint tenancy with rights of survivorship", the surviving owner takes the car. Without those words (tenants in common), the dead owner's half goes to their heirs.

Joint tenancy: the survivor signs the title and brings a copy of the death certificate.
Tenants in common: bring the death certificate and papers showing who inherits the dead owner's half, such as letters or a small estate affidavit. The heir and the other owner sign.

3. No probate: the DR 2712 small estate affidavit

Use it when at least 10 days have passed, no one has applied to be personal representative anywhere, and the estate is within the small estate limit ($88,000).

Fill in the successors' names, the person's name and the vehicle's year, make, model and VIN.
Each successor signs before a notary.
Take the DR 2712, the death certificate and the title to the county motor vehicle office, and pay the $7.20 title fee.

4. An executor or administrator has been appointed

Once a personal representative is appointed, the DR 2712 can't be used. The letters show who can sign for the car.

Bring the letters testamentary or letters of administration, the death certificate and the title.
The personal representative signs the title over to the new owner.

Colorado probate court: District Court (Denver Probate Court in Denver). The executor's papers: Letters testamentary or of administration (JDF 915). See how executors get letters.

Optional: get help filing

Get a flat-fee quote for the estate's tax returns

The final Form 1040, the estate's Form 1041 and any state return are the parts executors most often hand off. Leave your email and the rough estate size, and a CPA or Enrolled Agent who prepares estate returns will reply with a fixed price. Free, and no obligation.

State where the person lived

Rough value of the estate

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Month of death

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We pass your request to an independent CPA or Enrolled Agent who prepares these returns. We may be paid a referral fee by the professional; it never changes the price you are quoted. This is not legal or tax advice.

What to bring to the county motor vehicle office

For the DR 2712 route, take all of this in one go. Print this page to use it as a checklist.

The Colorado title
Form DR 2712, signed before a notary (or the DR 2009, or the letters)
The death certificate
The $7.20 title fee

Fees

Title transfer fee	$7.20

Common problems

The DR 2712 can't be used if anyone has applied to be personal representative, in Colorado or anywhere else.
The limit counts everything the person owned that passes by will or inheritance, not just the car.
The DR 2009 beneficiary form only works if the owner completed it while alive; the family can't add it afterwards.
Title transfers are done in person at the county motor vehicle office.
If the surviving joint owner can't act and someone signs for them by power of attorney, the dead owner's share still needs estate papers.

The rest of the estate

The DR 2712 moves the car only. Bank accounts and other property need their own route. Colorado's small estate shortcut is an affidavit for estates up to $88,000 (wait: 10 days after the death): see the Colorado small estate affidavit. Larger estates go through probate, and the executor gets letters testamentary or of administration (JDF 915).

Colorado also allows a transfer on death deed for a house, which works like a beneficiary on a car title.

Colorado has no estate or inheritance tax, so inheriting the car costs no state death tax. See Colorado estate tax. Whoever settles the estate still files the person's final income tax return by April 15 of the year after the death: see final tax returns.

Do it yourself, correctly

The Executor's Final Tax Returns Kit

If you are also the executor, the federal returns come next: the final Form 1040 and, if the estate earns $600 or more, Form 1041.

An estate pays 37% on income above $16,000. Paid out to the heirs on time, the same income is taxed at their rates, often 12%. The kit shows how, and is $49.

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46-page workbook
Form 1041, line by line
Both returns worked

Which returns this estate owes, from five yes-or-no questions
The final 1040 and Form 1041 explained line by line, with one family's returns fully worked
How to split each 1099 at the date of death so the IRS match does not trigger a letter
A spreadsheet for deadlines, the Form 1041 estimate and each heir's K-1, plus five letters to copy

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Car titles after death in other states

California (REG 5) · Texas (VTR-262) · Pennsylvania (MV-39) · Michigan (TR-40) · New York (MV-349.1) · Wisconsin (MV2300) · Oregon (735-516) · Florida (HSMV 82040) · Ohio (BMV 3773) · Arkansas (Form 10-306)

Or see the overview for every state.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Colorado DR 2712 need a notary?

Yes. Each successor signs the DR 2712 before a notary.

How long do I have to wait to use the DR 2712?

At least 10 days after the death.

What is the estate limit for the DR 2712?

The person's estate, less liens, must be within Colorado's small estate limit, $88,000. The limit depends on the year of death, and the form lists each year.

How much does it cost to transfer a car title after death in Colorado?

The title transfer fee is $7.20, paid at the county motor vehicle office.

Sources

This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.