Do have a car in Nebraska, but no title? Maybe you recently purchased a car, but never received a title. Or maybe you received the title, but lost it before transferring it into you name. You might be thinking you can’t title your vehicle, but you can. You can get a Nebraska Bonded Title.
Short on time? Check out our Bonded Title FAQ page.
What is a Nebraska Bonded Title?
A Nebraska Bonded Title (also known as a Certificate of Title Surety, Lost Title Bond, or Defective Title Bond) is a document that says that you own your vehicle.
A bonded title is just like a regular title but it is marked “bonded”, meaning that it has a surety bond attached to it.
When you get a bonded title, you are promising that you are the true owner of the vehicle. If someone comes forward later on and says that they are the owner of the vehicle and that you should not have been granted a bonded title, they can make a claim on your bond. If the claim is determined to be valid, the surety company would pay the person a fair amount. It would then be your responsibility to repay the surety.
Curious about what would happen if someone made a claim on your bond? Check out this resource.
When You Need a Nebraska Bonded Title
- You bought a car and never received the title
- You bought a car and only received a bill of sale
- You bought a car and received an improperly assigned title
- You bought a car, received the original title, but lost it before transferring it into your name*
*You do not need an NE Bonded Title if you had the original title in your name at one point in time. In this instance, you can apply for a duplicate certificate of title by completing a Nebraska Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title.
Nebraska allows residents to get a Bonded Title for a vehicle or a Bonded Title for a motorboat.
Not sure if you need an NE Bonded Title? Check out this awesome infographic.
How to get a Nebraska Bonded Title
Step #1: Contact DMV to make sure you are eligible
Your local DMV is the only entity that can tell you if you are eligible for a bonded title or not.
Contact your local DMV, explain your situation, and ask if you could get a bonded title.
If they say yes, move on to Step #2.
Step #2: Request a vehicle search
A vehicle search will determine if a Nebraska title exists for your vehicle. Your local DMV will be able to run a vehicle search on your vehicle for a $1.00 fee. You will need to complete a vehicle search application to have this done.
Step #3: Send a certified letter to original title owner
If the vehicle search reveals a previous title owner or lienholder, you must send a certified letter to that person requesting the title owner sign over the title to you or the lienholder release the lien.
Original title owners and lienholders are allowed up to 30 days to respond to your certified letters. If after 30 days there is no response, or if the letters come back as undeliverable, then you can move on to the next step.
Step #4: Complete paperwork
- Application for Bonded Certificate of Title for a Vehicle
- Bill of sale
- Sheriff inspection certificate from your local sheriff ($10 fee)
Step #5: Purchase Nebraska Lost Title Bond
Purchase a bond from a surety bond company. Make sure you apply for the correct bond amount.
Your Nebraska Lost Title Bond must be in the amount of 1.5 times the value of your vehicle as evaluated by the NADA Guide. For example, if your vehicle is appraised at $2,000 then you will need to get a $3,000 NE Lost Title Bond.
The price you pay for your bond is normally around $100.
Surety Solutions, A Gallagher Company does not issue Certificate of Lost Title Bonds
Before you purchase your title bond – learn important payment info
Step #6: Submit Paperwork
Once you purchase your NE Lost Title Bond, you are almost done. Send your paperwork and proof of NE Lost Title Bond to your local DMV office. Office locations can be found here.
If your paperwork is approved, you will need to pay a title fee before you can receive your Nebraska Bonded Title.
- $20 fee if the manufacture date is prior to 1-1-1990
- $50 fee is the manufacture date is after 1-1-1990
Questions? Call the Nebraska DMV office at 402-471-3918
Do Nebraska Bonded Titles Expire?
Yes, NE Bonded Titles expire 3 years after their effective date. If no one comes forward during those 3 years and makes a claim against your NE Lost Title Bond (by saying they are the true owner of the vehicle) then you will be issued a clear certificate of title.
Related links:
Four Reasons You Might Need a Bonded Title
So You Bought A Car Without A Title Bond? Here’s What To Do Next
