Replacing a Nebraska Vehicle Title

A Nebraska duplicate title is the official replacement for an original Nebraska Certificate of Title that has been lost, stolen, destroyed, or damaged beyond use. The application is filed with the county treasurer, the same office that handles original titling and vehicle registration. Once the duplicate is issued, the original is voided in the state's records and cannot be used for transfer.

Who can apply

The duplicate title application must be signed by the recorded owner of record as it appears in the Nebraska title database, or by the lien-holder of record if a lien is still active. Co-owners listed with "and" between names must both sign; co-owners listed with "or" require only one signature. A surviving spouse can apply with a certified death certificate when the deceased was a co-owner.

Documents required

Bring the following to the county treasurer:

• Completed Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title.
• Photo ID matching the name on the existing title record.
• Lien release from the lien-holder if the recorded lien has been paid but never formally released.
• Police report number if the original title was stolen.
• Notarized signature on the application (most county treasurers offer notary services in office at no extra cost).

Fees

The Nebraska duplicate title fee is approximately $14. There is no expedited or rush option through the state; processing takes 7-14 business days. If the duplicate is being issued in conjunction with a sale or transfer to a new owner, an additional $10 title fee applies for the new title.

Active liens and duplicate titles

If the title still has an active lien recorded, only the lien-holder can request a duplicate title. The lien-holder typically holds the original Nebraska title (paper form) until the loan is paid off, so a borrower whose title has been "lost" usually only needs to confirm whether the lien has actually been released. Once released, the lender forwards a clean duplicate or a release of lien letter that the owner can use to apply for a duplicate title at the county treasurer.

Damaged-but-present titles

If the original title is in hand but damaged, faded, or has been written on incorrectly, surrender the damaged original at the county treasurer with the application. The damaged document should not be cut, taped, or otherwise altered; the treasurer accepts the document as-is and issues a clean duplicate.

Stolen titles

A stolen title should be reported to local law enforcement before applying for a duplicate. The application includes space for the police case number. If the original is later recovered, it should be surrendered to the county treasurer for cancellation; do not attempt to use it for any subsequent sale.

Out-of-state title duplicates

A Nebraska resident who needs a duplicate of an out-of-state title must apply through the issuing state, not Nebraska. Once the duplicate from the previous state arrives, the resident can begin a new Nebraska title transfer at the county treasurer using the duplicate as the source title. The 30-day clock for transfer begins when the duplicate is in hand.

Salvage and rebuilt titles

A vehicle previously branded "salvage" in Nebraska may be reissued a Rebuilt title only after a state inspection. Damaged Rebuilt titles can also be replaced through the duplicate process, but the rebuilt brand carries forward to the new document. Insurance and resale value remain affected for the life of the vehicle. Read more on Nebraska title transfer.

If the original arrives after the duplicate is issued

The duplicate, once printed, becomes the only valid Nebraska Certificate of Title for that vehicle. If the original later turns up, mail it back to the county treasurer for cancellation. Attempting to sell a vehicle using the original after a duplicate has been issued is treated as fraudulent transfer under Nebraska law.