If you purchase a used car from a dealership licensed to do business in Nebraska, a sales representative will assist you with the paperwork necessary to complete your title transfer and vehicle registration. If you buy a vehicle from a private party, donate a vehicle, inherit a vehicle, or give a vehicle as a gift to a family member, however, you'll need to complete this paperwork on your own. You have 30 days from the change in ownership to apply for a new car title.

Completing a Nebraska Title Transfer

A car title provides proof of legal ownership, so only one title is allowed for each vehicle.

To complete a title transfer when you sell cars, you should:

1. Fill in the odometer certification section of the title.
2. Provide the buyer with a notarized Bill of Sale.
3. Give the buyer a completed Nebraska Department of Revenue Form 6 – Nebraska Sales/Use Tax and Tire Fee Statement for Motor Vehicle and Trailer Sales.

When you buy cars, it is always a good idea to obtain a vehicle history report to see if there are any previous problems with the vehicle you should be aware of. If you decide to go through with the purchase after reviewing the vehicle history, you must do the following in order to obtain a title transfer:

1. Fill out the purchaser's section of the title with his name, address, and signature.
2. Bring the title and a completed title application to the county official's office where the vehicle has tax situs.
3. Pay a $10 fee to obtain a new vehicle title.

A buyer may not apply for vehicle registration until the title transfer process is complete. If you have questions about the process to complete a title transfer, please call the NE Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) at (402) 471-3918.