If you are a Nebraska resident, a bonded title can be an effective way to recover your vehicle title if you don’t have sufficient evidence of ownership.
What is a bonded title?
A bonded title is a type of title recovery method that requires the purchase of a surety bond, also known as a vehicle title bond, to secure the ownership of the vehicle. This is because, in order to receive a bonded title, you must have a major lack of proper documentation. The DMV in your state is essentially taking your word that you are the owner of the vehicle. The vehicle title bond provides security for the DMV to assign the ownership in the event that there is an ownership discrepancy after the bonded title is issued.
How to get a bonded title in Nebraska
Before beginning your bonded title process, make sure that your vehicle meets the eligibility for a bonded title.
Vehicle requirements for a bonded title in Nebraska
- A title has not been issued in Nebraska or any other state
- The applicant is unable to provide a properly assigned certificate of title or manufacturer’s statement of origin (MSO)
- The vehicle currently has a bonded title in another state
How to apply for a bonded title in Nebraska
If your vehicle meets the eligibility requirements of a Nebraska bonded title, begin the application process by completing the Application for Copy of Vehicle Record.
Prior owner contact
The state of Nebraska requires the prior owner to be contacted before a bonded title can be processed. Submit the Application for Copy of Vehicle Record to the Nebraska DMV or your local DMV office to request the current registered owner information.
If a current title is found
Using that information, you must send a letter via certified mail with a return receipt alerting them of your intention to obtain a bonded title. Be sure to keep the green return slip for future use. If the letter is returned undeliverable, do not open it, keep it sealed as it will be needed for future evidence.
If a current title is not found
Send a certified letter to the person or business where you acquired the vehicle requesting that they provide you with a properly assigned title. Be sure to keep the green return slip for future use. If the letter is returned undeliverable, do not open it, keep it sealed as it will be needed for future evidence.
Wait 30 days for a response from the prior owner or seller. If after 30 days, the certified letters are returned undeliverable, keep the unsealed letters as proof of an attempt to contact them and proceed with your bonded title application.
Inspection
The bonded title process requires that all vehicles are inspected prior to the title being issued. To schedule your inspection, contact your local Sheriff’s department. Once your inspection is complete, the officer who inspected the vehicle will complete the Inspection Certificate (photocopies and carbon copies are not acceptable). Inspection Certificates are only valid for 90 days after the inspection.
Title bond
Once your vehicle has been inspected and approved to move on to the next step, purchase your vehicle title bond from any surety bond agency for 1.5x the value of your vehicle. This value is typically based on the book value of the vehicle. While most title bonds are required to be 1.5x the value of the vehicle, however, that doesn’t mean it costs that much to purchase. Most title bonds cost around $100-$150 for average-value vehicles. The bonding agency will complete the form Nebraska Certificate of Title Surety Bond.
Once you’ve completed the official documents, passed inspection, and obtained your title bond, submit all of your documents and any state title fees to the Nebraska DMV in your county. They will process your application and return to you a bonded title in your name.
After 3 years of having BONDED stamped on your vehicle title, the bonded title brand will dissipate and you will have a clean Nebraska title in your name.
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CarTitles.com takes the hassle out of applying for a title for your vehicle. Their team of title experts can help prepare your paperwork for your Nebraska bonded title or any other title recovery method provided.