Nebraska Title Transfer Guide

A Nebraska vehicle title transfer is processed at the county treasurer's office in the county where the buyer's vehicle will be garaged. The state title fee is just $10, but the transaction also collects sales tax on the purchase price and any motor vehicle tax due before plates can be issued. Both buyer and seller carry obligations — missing a step in either direction can stall the transfer for weeks.

Seller's responsibilities

Before handing over the keys, the seller should:

• Sign and date the assignment block on the back of the Nebraska title.
• Complete the odometer disclosure section if the vehicle is fewer than 20 years old.
• Print and provide a bill of sale showing the buyer, seller, vehicle description, sale price, and date.
• Remove the license plates — in Nebraska, plates stay with the seller, not with the vehicle.
• Notify the county treasurer of the sale so any motor vehicle tax credit can be applied to the seller's next registration.

Plates should be transferred to a replacement vehicle within 30 days; otherwise, the seller can surrender them to the county treasurer or simply destroy them.

Buyer's responsibilities

Within 30 days of the sale, the buyer must walk into the county treasurer to title and register the vehicle. Bring:

• The signed title with assignment and odometer fields completed.
• Bill of sale showing the purchase price.
• Completed Nebraska Form 6 (Application for Certificate of Title).
• Completed Nebraska Form RV-7 (Registration application).
• Proof of Nebraska auto insurance.
• Photo ID.
• VIN inspection certificate if the vehicle was titled out of state.

Late transfers add a $25 penalty plus interest on the sales tax liability.

Title and tax fees

The Nebraska title fee is a flat $10. Sales tax of 5.5% state plus any local option (combined average around 6.95%) is calculated on the purchase price shown on the bill of sale. The county treasurer also collects the motor vehicle tax, motor vehicle fee, and the registration fee — effectively rolling the title transfer and registration into one transaction.

Lien releases

If the seller had a lien recorded against the title, the lender must provide a notarized lien release before the title can be transferred. Most lenders mail the release directly to the seller after the loan is paid off, often along with the original title held electronically. The buyer should not accept a title that still shows an active lien without a corresponding release in hand.

Selling to a Nebraska dealer

Trade-ins to a Nebraska licensed dealer are simpler: the dealer handles the title work and applies a sales tax credit equal to the trade-in allowance against the sales tax due on the new vehicle. The seller signs the title over to the dealer; the dealer files the title transfer with the county treasurer when the new vehicle is delivered.

Gifts and family transfers

A vehicle gifted to an immediate family member — spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild — is exempt from sales tax. The buyer notes "gift" on the bill of sale and presents the relationship documentation if requested by the county treasurer. The $10 title fee and motor vehicle taxes still apply.

Out-of-state title incoming

A vehicle entering Nebraska on an out-of-state title needs a VIN inspection at the county treasurer or by an authorized Nebraska peace officer before the transfer can be processed. The buyer pays the difference between sales tax already paid in the previous state and what would be owed under Nebraska's rate, with no refund if the prior state's rate was higher.

Inherited vehicles

A Nebraska vehicle inherited from a deceased owner can be transferred using a small estate affidavit when the estate's value is under the statutory threshold, or through a probate court order in larger estates. A surviving spouse named on a joint title can transfer the vehicle into their own name with a death certificate and Form 6 alone. See title replacement for additional paperwork when the original is missing.