Nebraska Bonded Title

You can apply for a bonded title in Nebraska if you obtained your vehicle but didn’t receive a title at the time of purchase. If your title was incorrectly assigned or you lost the original before transferring it to your name, you may also qualify for a bonded title.

The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires you to obtain a title bond before you can receive your new certificate of title. Only Nebraska residents may apply – under one of the following conditions:

• You haven’t been issued a title for your car in Nebraska or any other state.
• You’re unable to provide a proper certificate of title or a manufacturer’s statement of origin.
• Your vehicle has a bonded title in a different state.

If you had the original title in your name at any point but lost it, you don’t need to apply for a bonded title in Nebraska. You can apply for a duplicate certificate of title instead.

The first step in getting a bonded title is contacting the DMV to ensure you’re eligible. You don’t want to do all the work of gathering the right documents and filling out an application if you need another type of title entirely.

Once you confirm with the DMV that you need a bonded certificate of title in Nebraska, follow this process.

1. Request a title search.

The first step is to request a search (through the Nebraska DMV) to see if a title exists for your vehicle. Complete and submit an Application for Copy of Vehicle Record.

If your vehicle was bought online or in another state:

The state’s DMV must conduct the record search.

If a title exists:

You will need to send a certified letter to the title owner at their last known address. State in the letter that you’re the current owner of the vehicle and that you need them to acquire a duplicate title and assign ownership over to you. Be sure to make a photocopy of any certified mail you send to include in your application.

If there’s a lien on the title:

If there’s an open lien on the vehicle, send a certified letter to the lienholder. Tell them you’re the current vehicle owner, and ask them to provide a lien release.

• If the lien is at least 10 years old, it may be released 30 days after you send your certified letter.
• If the lien is less than 10 years old and you’d don’t receive a lien release, you won’t receive a new title.

2. Submit your bonded title application with all required documentation.

Here’s a list of documents you must submit to the DMV for your bonded title application to be accepted.

Note: If a VIN plate is required, complete an Assigned ID Number Application. Submit it with a $20 fee. You’ll receive the plate in the mail along with an affidavit. Sign the affidavit and then submit it along with your bonded title application.

• The original return receipts and photocopies of any certified letters you sent (or originals, unopened, if they were returned to you).
• A copy of the conducted searches
• Written documents you received when you purchased your vehicle (e.g., a bill of sale). If you have no written documentation, you may submit an affidavit explaining why you’re entitled to ownership.
• A photo that shows the front and one side of your vehicle
• A Nebraska bonded certificate of title application (completed and signed)
• A Sheriff’s Inspection Certificate (from your local sheriff), which is valid for 90 days after the inspection
• A Nebraska certificate of title bond for one and a half times the value of your vehicle according to the NADA Guides. Your surety bond provider may send the bond directly to your DMV once you apply and are approved. Otherwise, you can submit the bond with your application.
• The new ID Number affidavit (if you received a new VIN)
• A $50 application fee