How to Get a Bonded Car Title in Nebraska

Car dealerships make the car-buying process relatively simple: they take care of the title transfer process and all you need to do is sign on the dotted line. However, transferring a car from one private owner to another is a tricky process – especially if the seller doesn’t provide a proper car title for vehicle registration purposes.

Nebraska car sellers are required to provide a valid car title when selling a car in the state. However, sellers sometimes duck out on these rules – and the buyer must get a bonded car title in order to license the car legally. It sounds like a daunting process, but it’s not – I’ve recently gone through the process and it’s time consuming, but not impossible.

Find the Previous Owner

The easiest way to get a car title is to search for the previous owner. You should try to make face-to-face contact with the owner, but sometimes that’s not possible. If you’re unable to reach the previous owner, you must draft a letter to his last known address asking that a valid vehicle title be sent to you.

The demand for title letter should be sent certified mail with return receipt requested. Keep the return receipt once it’s sent back to you – this proves that you send the letter. You must wait 30 days after sending the letter to see if the previous owner sends you a car title. If not, you must keep a copy for the demand for title letter and the return receipt for your bonded title application.

Get a Sheriff’s Inspection Certificate

Every Nebraska county has a Sheriff’s office that deals with title inspections. Your Nebraska bonded title application must include one of these Sheriff’s Inspection Certificates, so you must find your local Sheriff’s office and take your vehicle for inspection.

The Sheriff’s inspection process is relatively short and simple: a Sheriff’s department representative simply checks your vehicle identification number and mileage. Pay $10 and you’ll receive an official Sheriff’s inspection certificate that must be submitted with your bonded title application.

Obtain a Surety Bond

The Nebraska Department of Motor vehicles requires a surety bond valued at one and a half times the NADA value of the vehicle needing a bonded title. These bonds must be issued by an insurance agency or bonding company licensed in Nebraska. An original copy of the bond must be submitted with your bonded title application.

Fill Out the Nebraska Bonded Title Application

The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles requires an official application in order to get a bonded car title. This application is available in PDF form on the Nebraska DMV website and must be filled out completely.

Assemble Your Application Materials

Your application for a Nebraska bonded car title must include:

*A copy of the title demand letter you sent the previous owner.

*The return receipt from your title demand letter or the actual letter labeled ‘return to sender.’

*The Nebraska Sheriff’s Inspection Certificate.

*A bill of sale, cancelled check or affidavit that shows you are the rightful owner of the car.

*An assurity bond valued 1.5 times the current value of your car. I went through American Family Insurance – they provide my car insurance as well.

*A completed and signed Nebraska Bonded Title Application.

*A photograph that shows at the least the front and one side of your car.

*$50 check or money order written to the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles.

Send Your Application Packet

Your bonded car title application package must be send to the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles in Lincoln, Nebraska. The current address is listed on the bonded title application. You should send this application packet either priority mail or certified so you have proof that the Nebraska DMV received it.

The whole process will take several weeks from start to finish, so you must plan accordingly. You cannot drive a vehicle that is not properly licensed in Nebraska – and you can get fines if a police officer pulls you over without it.

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