The title to a car shows who owns it. When that ownership changes, the title must be transferred to reflect this. Title transfers are needed whenever buying or selling a car, as well as when a car is being gifted or inherited. The state of Nebraska has some specific steps that must be followed in each of these situations, and you’ll need to know exactly how to proceed in order to transfer a car title in Nebraska.
If you’re buying
If you’re buying a car from a private seller (not a dealership, as the dealer will handle the title), then you’ll need to follow these steps:
Get a completed title from the seller of the vehicle. Make sure that the seller has completed all the fields on the back of the title.
Note that if the title does not include an area for the odometer reading, you’ll need to get an Odometer Disclosure Statement from the seller.
Complete the Application for Certificate of Title.
You’ll need a bill of sale from the seller (or the Nebraska Sales/Use Tax and Tire Fee Statement for Motor Vehicle and Trailer Sales, which can be picked up from your local DMV office).
Make sure the seller provides you with a lien release.
Make sure you have proof of insurance.
Bring all of this information to the DMV office, along with $10 for the title transfer fee.
Common mistakes
- Not getting a lien release from the seller
If you’re selling
Sellers in the state of Nebraska also have specific steps that must be followed. Here’s what you need to do:
Complete the back of the title and fill in all pertinent information (name, address, mileage, etc.).
Give the buyer a lien release.
If there isn’t a space for the odometer reading, you’ll need to provide the buyer with an Odometer Disclosure Statement.
Make sure to complete the bill of sale with the buyer.
Common mistakes
- Making errors on the title, which cannot be corrected – a new title must be ordered
Inheriting or gifting a car in Nebraska
For gifted vehicles, the process of transferring the car title is the same as outlined above. However, it’s very different when it comes to inheriting a car and the process you follow will depend greatly on how you inherited the vehicle.
If you are listed as a joint owner with a decedent, you can complete the transfer on your own, but you will need to submit the title, as well as the Application for Certificate of Title, the death certificate and the title transfer fee to the DMV.
If you’re listed as the transfer on death beneficiary, you’ll follow the same steps to put the title in your name. Alternatively, you can transfer it to someone else.
If the estate was probated, the administer will be responsible for assigning ownership of the vehicle, although you’ll still need to provide the title, the Application for Certificate and the transfer fee to the DMV.
If the estate was not probated, ownership can only be transferred to a “claiming successor.” It must have been at least 30 days since the owner passed on, and you’ll follow the same process as above.
For more information about how to transfer a car title in Nebraska, visit the state’s DMV website.
