Arapahoe VIN verification has four triggers and several places to get it

Arapahoe County requires a VIN check before registration in four cases. The vehicle has an out-of-state title, was bought outside Colorado, was transferred on a purged bill of sale, or needs a correction to its title description.

To use the county Motor Vehicle office, pair the check with an existing title-transfer appointment. The county office does not check VINs below 32 degrees, in snow or rain, or on oversized vehicles. Emissions-testing locations, Colorado dealerships, and local law-enforcement agencies can also perform a standard VIN check.

A standard VIN check is different from a certified VIN inspection. Some title problems need the certified version from the Colorado State Patrol. If the paperwork does not make that clear, ask Arapahoe Motor Vehicle before scheduling the check.