How to Gift a Car in Nebraska in 2026
In Nebraska, gifting a motor vehicle involves transferring the certificate of title from one person to another without any consideration. The donor must sign the title in the seller's section, and the recipient applies for a new certificate of title at the county treasurer's office.
How Does Gifting a Car in Nebraska Work?
When a motor vehicle is gifted in Nebraska, the owner completes and signs an Application for Certificate of Title and presents the current certificate of title, along with proper evidence of ownership, to the county treasurer's office. The county treasurer processes the application, collects applicable fees, and issues a new title in the recipient's name. Once ownership transfers, the recipient must obtain vehicle registration within 30 days.
Nebraska Car Gifting Rules You Should Know
Title Status
A certificate of title must be issued within 30 days of the date of purchase. The current owner's name must appear exactly as written on the face of the title. Any discrepancy between the name on the title and the name written on transfer documents can delay or prevent processing. For most motor vehicles in Nebraska, including automobiles, motorcycles, trailers, and all-terrain vehicles, a certificate of title is required. The current title must accompany the gift transfer application to the county treasurer.
License Plates
The donor must remove license plates from the vehicle before transferring ownership to the recipient. The plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle, and remain the donor's property. The recipient must obtain new license plates at the county treasurer's office when registering the vehicle. Plates are not transferred with the vehicle title; they must be separately applied for during registration.
Taxes and Fees
A motor vehicle received as a gift is not subject to sales and use tax when the donor or prior owner has already paid any applicable sales tax. The recipient pays only the title fee, registration fees, and motor vehicle tax based on the vehicle's manufacturer's suggested retail price and age. Motor vehicle tax is assessed at the time of initial registration and annually thereafter until the vehicle reaches 14 years of age. The tax is based on the vehicle's MSRP and age and is calculated using Nebraska's motor vehicle tax and fee chart.
Step-By-Step Process To Gift a Car in Nebraska
Step 1: Verify title ownership and resolve any liens.
The donor must confirm that the current certificate of title is in the donor's name and that the title is in the donor's possession. If a lienholder is noted on the title, the lienholder must release the lien before transfer can occur. The lien release documentation must accompany the title application.
Step 2: Complete the title transfer section.
The donor signs the certificate of title in the seller's section, writing the signature exactly as the name appears on the title face. All co-owners listed on the title must also sign. The recipient's name and address must be entered clearly in the buyer's section of the title. White-out, erasures, or strike-throughs void the title and will be rejected.
Step 3: Record the odometer reading (if required).
For vehicles subject to odometer disclosure requirements, the donor records the current odometer reading on the title or completes the Odometer Disclosure Statement if the title lacks space. The donor certifies whether the reading reflects actual mileage, is not actual, or exceeds mechanical limits. The recipient acknowledges the odometer statement by signing where indicated.
Step 4: Prepare the Application for Certificate of Title.
The recipient completes the Application for Certificate of Title form, providing vehicle information, recipient information, and ownership designation. If co-owners are spouses, one spouse may sign the application as an agent for the other. For non-spouse co-ownership, all owners must sign the application.
Step 5: Remove license plates.
The donor removes both license plates from the vehicle before the transfer. The plates must be returned to the county treasurer or retained by the donor for transfer to another vehicle.
Step 6: Obtain liability insurance.
Before registering the vehicle, the recipient must obtain proof of financial responsibility (liability insurance). Proof must be an original document issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in Nebraska. A photocopy is not acceptable, though electronic proof displayed on a mobile device is acceptable. The certificate of insurance must include the insured's names, policy number, vehicle year, make, and model, and the last three digits of the vehicle identification number, along with effective and expiration dates of coverage.
Step 7: Submit application to the county treasurer.
The recipient visits the county treasurer's office in the county of residence with the completed title application, the signed title from the donor, the odometer disclosure statement (if applicable), proof of liability insurance, the $10.00 title fee, and proper evidence of ownership. The county treasurer issues a new certificate of title in the recipient's name.
Step 8: Complete vehicle registration and obtain new license plates.
After the new title is issued, the recipient applies for vehicle registration at the county treasurer's office. The recipient must pay the registration fee and applicable motor vehicle tax based on the vehicle's age and MSRP. New license plates are issued at this time. The vehicle may only be operated on public highways once registration is complete and the current plates are displayed.
Documents Needed for Gifting a Car in Nebraska
The following documents are required to complete a motor vehicle gift transfer in Nebraska:
- The current certificate of title, properly signed by all owners listed on the face of the title
- A completed Application for Certificate of Title signed by all owners whose names are to appear on the new title
- An Odometer Disclosure Statement (if the vehicle is subject to odometer disclosure requirements and space is not available on the title)
- Proof of financial responsibility in the form of an original certificate of insurance or policy document issued by an insurance company authorized in Nebraska
- The title fee ($10.00)
- If a lienholder is noted on the title, a release of lien or security interest document from the lienholder
If the title is not available or has been mutilated, the recipient may be eligible to apply for a bonded certificate of title.
Applicable Fees and Taxes When Gifting a Car in Nebraska
| Fee or Tax | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Title Fee | $10.00 | Paid to county treasurer; required for all title applications |
| Registration Fee (Passenger Vehicle) | $15.00 | Applies to vehicles of ten-passenger capacity or less not used for hire |
| Motor Vehicle Tax | Varies | Based on vehicle MSRP and age; ranges from 95% of base tax in year 1 to 0% for vehicles 14+ years old |
| County Retention (Title Fee) | 1% | Retained by county treasurer from title fee |
| Odometer Inspection Fee | $10.00 | Required only if vehicle identification inspection is necessary |
| Registration Sales Tax | $0.00 | No sales tax is imposed on gift transfers when the donor or prior owner has already paid any applicable sales tax on the original purchase |
Motor vehicle tax is calculated by reference to the vehicle's manufacturer's suggested retail price and the vehicle's age at the time of registration. The Nebraska motor vehicle tax and fee chart displays the applicable base tax amount and reduction percentages applied as vehicles age. Local counties may impose additional fees. The county treasurer's office should be contacted for information regarding any local fees that may apply.
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
