How To Transfer a Car Title in Nebraska 2026
The Nebraska Certificate of Title Act, codified in part under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-144, designates the county treasurer as the authority responsible for issuing and filing motor vehicle certificates of title throughout the state. Any party who acquires a motor vehicle through purchase, gift, or inheritance must submit an application for a certificate of title at a county Motor Vehicle Office within 30 days of the date of vehicle delivery.
Nebraska operates as an Electronic Lien Titling state, meaning that when a security interest is recorded on a vehicle, the certificate of title is retained electronically by the Department until the lien is fully discharged rather than being physically held by the owner. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-180, selling or purporting to transfer a vehicle without delivering a properly assigned certificate of title to the purchaser constitutes a Class III misdemeanor; both parties should therefore ensure all statutory requirements are met before completing any transaction.
Required Documents for Title Transfer in Nebraska
All documents submitted must be complete, accurate, and free of alterations. Any erasure or defacement on a certificate of title renders it invalid.
| Document | Form / Reference | Party Responsible | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Title | — | Seller | Original; all names on the title must sign the Seller's section |
| Application for Certificate of Title | Title Application | Buyer | Signed by all parties whose names are to appear on the new title |
| Odometer Disclosure | Title — designated section | Seller | Completed on the title for vehicles with model year 2011 or newer (up to 20 years old); see odometer requirements |
| Nebraska Sales/Use Tax and Tire Fee Statement | Form F-6 | Buyer | Documents applicable state and local sales tax on the transaction |
| Lien Release | Per lienholder / ELT process | Lienholder | Required when a security interest appears on the title; electronic or paper release depending on lender type |
| Power of Attorney | Form | Authorizing party | When an authorized agent executes the transaction on behalf of the owner |
| Valid Government-Issued Photo ID | — | Buyer | Driver's license or state identification card |
| Bill of Sale | — | Both parties | Not required by statute for private sales; strongly recommended as a transaction record |
Step-by-Step Title Transfer Process in Nebraska
Step 1: Complete the Title Assignment
The seller, and every co-owner whose name appears on the certificate of title, must sign and complete the assignment section on the reverse side of the title. No alterations, erasures, or use of correction fluid are permitted; any such modifications void the document. The following fields must be filled in fully and legibly:
- Buyer's full legal name and current address
- Date of the sale or transfer
- Sale price (or the notation "GIFT" if no monetary exchange occurs)
- Odometer reading, certified as actual mileage, if the vehicle has a model year of 2011 or newer and is fewer than 20 years old
The properly assigned certificate of title must be delivered to the buyer at the point of vehicle delivery.
Step 2: Resolve Any Existing Lien on the Title
Because Nebraska is an Electronic Lien Titling state, titles with recorded security interests are held electronically by the Department of Motor Vehicles and are not in the seller's physical possession. The lien must be fully satisfied and officially released before the vehicle can be transferred. Depending on the type of lender:
- Participating lenders transmit an electronic release to the Department within 15 days of receiving final payment; the title is then printed and forwarded as instructed by the lienholder.
- Non-participating lenders must submit the designated lien release form to any county Motor Vehicle Office within 15 days of final payment.
- Existing paper titles: The lienholder notes the lien cancellation on the face of the title over their signature, including the date, and forwards the title to a county Motor Vehicle Office for recording.
Step 3: Prepare the Application for Certificate of Title and Tax Statement
The buyer completes the Application for Certificate of Title, which must be signed by all parties whose names are to appear on the new title. If the vehicle is jointly owned by a married couple, either spouse may sign as agent for the other. The buyer must also complete the Nebraska Sales/Use Tax and Tire Fee Statement (Form F-6), which documents the sales tax obligation on the transaction. The state sales and use tax rate is 5.5%; applicable local rates, which can range from 0.5% to 2%, are added based on the transaction location.
Step 4: Assemble All Required Documentation
Compile the complete document package before presenting it at the county office. Incomplete submissions will be returned, which may jeopardize compliance with the 30-day filing deadline. Required items include:
- The assigned and signed original certificate of title
- Completed Application for Certificate of Title
- Nebraska Sales/Use Tax and Tire Fee Statement (Form F-6)
- Lien release documentation (if a security interest was recorded)
- Power of Attorney — Limited (if an authorized agent is executing the transfer)
- Valid government-issued photo ID
A bill of sale documenting the vehicle year, make, model, VIN, purchase price, sale date, and the names and signatures of both parties is strongly recommended as a permanent transaction record.
Step 5: Submit to Your County Motor Vehicle Office
Certificates of title are issued and filed at the county level by the county treasurer's Motor Vehicle Office. While Nebraska law permits filing in any county where the vehicle has situs, residents typically file in their county of residence. All documents and fees must be submitted together at the time of application.
Step 6: Pay All Required Fees and Receive Your Certificate of Title
Fees are collected in full at the County Treasurer's office at the time of application. The table below summarizes standard costs.
| Fee / Tax | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Title Fee | $10.00 | Payable to the County Treasurer at time of application |
| Lien Notation Fee | $7.00 | Assessed when a security interest is recorded at the time of titling |
| Registration Fee — Passenger / Leased Vehicles | $15.00 | Flat annual fee per registration |
| Motor Vehicle Tax | Varies | Based on MSRP; assessed annually until vehicle reaches 14 years of age |
| Motor Vehicle Fee | Varies | Based on vehicle value, weight, and use; adjusted as vehicle ages |
| State Sales / Use Tax | 5.5% of purchase price | Plus applicable local rate (up to 2%); may be paid within 30 days of purchase |
| Additional Per-Registration Fees | $5.50 combined | Includes $0.50 EMS Fund, $2.00 DMV Cash Fund, $1.50 Recreation Road Fund, $1.50 County General Fund |
Once the application is processed, the new certificate of title is mailed to the buyer's address of record. If a lien is being noted at the time of application, the title will be held electronically by the Department until the security interest is released.
Contact Information
Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles
301 Centennial Mall South, Lincoln, NE 68509-4877
Phone: (402) 471-3985
Official Website: Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles
