How to Transfer Ownership of a Car in Nebraska

The name of the car shows who owns it. When this ownership changes, the title must be transferred to reflect this. The transfer of ownership is necessary when buying or selling a car, as well as when donating or inheriting it. Nebraska has specific steps to follow in each of these situations, and you need to know exactly how to proceed in order to transfer ownership of a vehicle in Nebraska.

If you buy

If you are buying a vehicle from a private seller (not a dealer, as ownership will be held by the dealer), you need to follow these steps:

• Obtain a completed Title Deed from the vehicle seller. Make sure the seller has filled in all the fields on the back of the header.

• Please note that if the title does not include an odometer reading area, you will need to obtain an Odometer Disclosure Statement from the seller.

• Fill out an application for a certificate of ownership.

• You will need a bill of sale from the seller (or a Nebraska Sales/Use Tax and Vehicle and Trailer Tire Usage Tax Statement, available from your local DMV office).

• Make sure the seller provides you with a bond release.

• Make sure you have insurance.

• Bring all of this information to the DMV office along with the $10 transfer fee.

Common Mistakes

• Do not get a release from the seller

If you are selling

Sellers in Nebraska also have specific steps to follow. Here's what you need to do:

• Fill in the back of the header and all required information (name, address, mileage, etc.).

• Give the buyer a release from the bond.

• If there is no space for an odometer reading, you must provide the buyer with an Odometer Disclosure Statement.

• Be sure to complete the bill of sale with the buyer.

Common Mistakes

• There are errors in the header that cannot be corrected - you need to order a new header

Inheriting or donating a car in Nebraska

For donated vehicles, the process for transferring ownership is similar to that described above. However, things are different when it comes to car inheritance and the process you follow will largely depend on how you inherited the car.

• If you are a co-owner with the deceased, you can arrange the transfer yourself, but you will need to submit title deeds as well as an Application for Certificate of Title, death certificate, and transfer fee to the VHF.

• If you are listed as the beneficiary of a death transfer, you will follow the same steps to list a title in your name. Also, you can pass it on to someone else.

• If the property has been bequeathed, the administrator will be responsible for assigning title to the vehicle, although you will still need to provide title, certificate application, and transfer fee to the DMV.

• If the inheritance was not bequeathed, the ownership can only be transferred to the "claimant". At least 30 days must have passed since the death of the owner, and you will follow the same procedure as above.

For more information on how to transfer ownership of a car in Nebraska, visit the state DMV website.