General Information / Motor Vehicles / Vehicle Titles  Commercial Vehicles & the DOT

GENERAL INFORMATION

Hours of Operation: Motor Vehicles is open 8:00 AM to 4:45PM, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday. Wednesday hours are 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. It is advisable to be here 45 minutes prior to closing if you are trying to register a recently purchased vehicle. This process could entail a vehicle inspection, titling, & registration.

Payment options:  We are able to accept cash or check in payment for vehicles.  No form of plastic is accepted.

Proof of Insurance: You must have current proof of insurance to register a vehicle, showing the vehicle VIN number, date of issue, and the month of expiration. If you don' t have this card, have it faxed to us prior to your arrival. It sometimes takes 30+ minutes for some companies to get it to us. There is no requirement for proof of insurance on trailers, boats, or snowmobiles.
Fax - New purchases (county clerk) (402) 593-4360 (Window 1)
Fax - Renewals (402) 593-4438 (Window 7)

Refunds: If you sell, trade, wreck, or junk a vehicle, or terminate a lease; keep your pink registration and plates. Failure to bring in the registration and plates will result in a reduction in your refund.  Refunds must be issued within 60 days of title transfer. If sold in the month prior to registration expiration, there is no refund. Bring in your plates (one or both) and registration to obtain a refund.If you move to another state and register your vehicle there, you may also receive a refund. Send the Nebraska plates (one or both) and registration along with a copy of your new state registration for a refund. Please remit these items to:

Sarpy County Treasurer
1210 Golden Gate Drive, Ste 1127
Papillion NE 68046-2893

Sales Tax: In Papillion, Bellevue, La Vista, and Gretna, the sales tax is 7 percent. It is 5 ½ percent in the rest of the county. Sales tax is charged on the purchase price minus trade in(s) and rebates.  Maintenance agreements, add ons, and documentation fees are also subject to sales tax.

Penalty: If you purchase a vehicle, pay the sales tax within 30 days (not one month) or expect to pay a late fee ($5.00 plus interest). You may pay the sales tax only without registering or titling the car. You may not register the car without paying all the taxes and fees due.

Handicapped: Handicap cards, to hang in your vehicle window, are obtained at your nearest city hall or the Sarpy County Clerk. Handicap plates are issued at the Treasurer' s Office. A doctor' s certification form must be filled out, and submitted to the state for approval in either case, prior to receiving the card/plates. Forms may be downloaded here.

MessagePlates: Message/prestige plates are ordered from the state. They are $30.00 per year, in addition to all other fees. Forms to order are available from the Treasurer' s office or may be downloaded. Order 6 to 8 weeks prior to renewal to avoid additional fees. Check/Click on the NEBRASKA DMV web site concerning message availability.  Already know what you want and would like to check availability and order online with a credit card.  Go to the Nebraska DMV message/Husker plate ordering website.

Spirit Plates: (Nebraska Cornhusker) Spirit plates are ordered from the state. They are $70.00 per year, in addition to all the other fees and applicable taxes. Forms to order are available from the Treasurer' s Office, or may be downloaded. Spirit plates can now also be ordered with a message or the traditional state issued numbers. Check on the NEBRASKA DMV web site concerning message availability. Order 6 to 8 weeks prior to renewal of existing plates to avoid additional plate changing fees. This application should then be mailed to: State of Nebraska, MV Dept, PO Box 94789, Lincoln NE 68509-4789.  If you would like to check availability and order online using a credit card, just go to the Nebraska DMV message/Husker plate ordering website.

REGISTERING A NEWLY PURCHASED VEHICLE:

Vehicle Inspection: Vehicles purchased outside Nebraska, (or you have moved to Nebraska), must be inspected to verify accurate VIN numbers. Fee: $10.00. Office located at the east side of the courthouse. Parking is available for this inspection, near the southeast corner.

Titles: Present title to the County Clerk (Window 1) to be processed. If you received a postcard from the Clerk, present it instead. Fees are $10.00 to $17.00. $10.00 TITLE fee, $7.00 LIEN notation (signed security agreement showing name of lienholder and vehicle used as collateral required), $14.00 Duplicate title (or spoiled)

Assessment: Your vehicle property tax will be computed by the treasurer at window 2. Property tax is computed based on the original MSRP (manufacturers suggested retail price) and a tax table which is then reduced/depreciated based on the age of the vehicle.

Treasurer: Sales tax, personal property tax, tire tax, title fee, and plate fee will be collected at window 2. Tire tax is $1.00 per tire on new tires.

Trade-ins: Plate transfers: bring your old registration, your credit will be subtracted from your fees. Credit for trades must be obtained within 60 days or we cannot issue the credit. See refunds above. A credit is a better thing to do rather than a refund because it will save you money.

REGISTERING A LEASED VEHICLE:

Leased Car Information: Leased vehicles domiciled in Nebraska must be registered and titled in Nebraska. Non-resident Military personnel stationed and living in Nebraska should refer to the military registration section below.  Sales tax on leased vehicles is usually part of the monthly lease payments and is rarely paid at the time of registration.  Normal registration fees at the Treasurer' s office include plates/registration and assessed property tax.  If you buy out your lease (purchase the car) you are required to pay sales tax on the purchased price and reregister your car in your name, without the leasing company on the title and registration. If you fail to pay the sales tax within 30 days of buyout you will incur significant penalties at the time of proper registration.

ANNUAL RENEWAL OF VEHICLE:

Motor Vehicle Renewals ONLY: Window 7. Bring proof of insurance, your old registration, and the card we mailed you.  Proof of insurance is the one thing we must have.

Moved?: Previous Nebraska registration, go to window 7; from out of state, see "registering a newly purchased vehicle" above. Procedures are the same. There is no sales tax if previously registered in another state.

MILITARYPERSONNEL/NON-RESIDENTS:

Military Personnel/Non-Residents: Plates/registration fees are generally $30.25 for a car, $33.25 for a truck. There is no motor vehicle tax on owned or leased vehicles. However, (if this is a new purchase) you will be required to pay sales tax as part of the registration process. (NOTE: Keep your copy of the sales tax form. You may need it at your next assignment.)

  Non-resident military personnel and/or spouses must produce a current end of month Leave and Earnings Statement (within last two months) and military ID card, to claim non-resident status. If moving from another state we will need your old registration.

   If the vehicle is coming from overseas without a stateside issued title, you must get a Nebraska title issued first.  If the vehicle has a stateside title you do not need to get it retitled in Nebraska unless required by your lender.

COMMERICIAL VEHICLES

Every commerical motor vehicle used in interstate commerce needs a U.S. DOT (Department of Transportation) number.  For more information please visit here:  DOT Web Page

REGISTRATION WEIGHT ON COMMERCIAL VEHICLES. 

The registration fee for commercial trucks is based upon the gross weight.  The gross weight (tonnage) is the sum of the empty weight of the trucks and any commercial trailer plus the weight of the maximum load to be carried at any on time. 
So the truck, trailer and load added together determines your registration weight.  Round up to the next highest tonnage. 

All applicants for registration of vehicles with a declared gross vehicle weight of 55,000 pounds (28 tons) or more, must present proof of payment of Federal Heavy Vehicles Use Tax to the IRS.  Heavy Vehicle Use Tax Form  Heavy vehicle use tax information  HVUT info

I am a Nebraska resident. I want to renew my car license plates. What documents do you need to see?

Proof of Insurance and either current registration or renewal notice. Proof of insurance is the only mandatory item.

I am moving to Nebraska from another state and am not in the military. What do I need to do?

Take the vehicle and title to Vehicle Inspections for VIN inspection. The fee is $10.00. If you have a lien on the car (e.g. bank has title), you will need to talk to County Clerk' s Office and have them request the title before you can go any further. If you have the title go to the County Clerk' s office (window 1) where you will obtain a new title. The car will then be assessed and you will receive your plates/registration from the Treasurer at window 2.

Where do we obtain "In Transit" stickers or signs?

Only dealers are authorized to provide "In Transit" signs. Nebraska dealers will provide them at purchase. If you purchased your car from other than a Nebraska dealer, keep the title, proof of insurance, and bill of sale with you when you are driving. You have 30 days to obtain plates from the date of purchase. In Transits cannot be renewed past the original 30 days. The State informs us that handmade "In Transits" are not legal even though you may see them on the street.

I lost my renewal card, do I need it?

No, it is not required.

I am moving to Sarpy County from another Nebraska county. What do I need to do?

Nothing until it is time to renew your plates. At that time, bring in your current registration, proof of insurance, and we will load you in the computer as a Sarpy County citizen. Be aware of your vehicle expiration. You will not get a renewal card from us but could get one forwarded from your previous county. PLEASE check Drivers License requirements for change of address (they are different)

I lost my registration and/or plates. How do I replace them?

Come in and we will produce a new registration for $6.75 or a new set of plates and registration for $14.75.

I lost my stickers. What do I do?

We can mail a new set or you can come in and pick them up after we verify the currency of your registration.

I just separated/retired from the military. How long do I have before I register as a resident?

30 days from your retirement or separation date. The intent to leave the state at some time in the future does not change this requirement.  If you do not have a Nebraska title for your vehicle, you will have to obtain one prior to registration as a Nebraska resident.  The process is basically the same as moving in from out of state.

I' m military. Why do I have to show my LES?

It demonstrates to us your state of legal residence which allows you to register your personally owned vehicle at the non-resident rate. If your LES says Nebraska then you are not eligible to register as a non-resident and this does not apply.  If you have a leased vehicle you will also have to produce an LES unless you are a Nebraska resident.

What are the fees for a Nebraska title?

$10.00 TITLE fee, $7.00 LIEN notation (signed security agreement showing name of lienholder and vehicle used as collateral required), $14.00 Duplicate title (or spoiled)

What vehicles need a federal odometer statement?

Vehicles that are 10 model years old or newer. Currently 1996 to present.

My vehicle has an out-of-state title, does it need to be inspected in order to register it?

Yes.

I am moving in from another state, what do I need to obtain Nebraska plates?

Original out-of-state title, proof of insurance, vehicle inspection ticket, and security agreement (if lien).

I am a non-resident (military) and have another state title and registration, do I need to change to a Nebraska title?

No, you will need proof of registration, insurance, Military ID, and the last end-of-month L.E.S. statement so that we can register your non-resident vehicle.

What does the vehicle inspection entail?

Only the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is checked to ensure that it matches the title. The VIN is also checked for stolen vehicles.

What is the fee for an inspection?

$10.00

Does Nebraska require a notary to transfer title?

No, not since July 16, 1994.

Are the vehicle inspection and treasurer's offices (plates and registration) open the same hours as your office?

Yes.

Is vehicle inspection in the same building as the County Clerk?

Yes, it is located on the southeast side of the main courthouse.

My title reads "OR/AND OR", do both of us have to sign-off the title?

Yes, Nebraska requires signatures of ALL persons listed to transfer ownership.

What is required to note a lien?

A signed copy of the security agreement or contract between buyer and lien holder and the $7.00 fee.

I have paid off my vehicle and the bank has sent me the title, do I need to do anything with the County Clerk's office?

Yes, the original title must be brought in (or mailed in) to the County Clerk's office for release. The title can be taken to any County Clerk's office in the state. There is no fee for lien release.

Do I need to change my title when I move from one county in Nebraska to another?

No, Nebraska titles are valid in any county in the state.

Can I pay for title and plates with my credit card?

No. Cash, local check, or money orders will be accepted.

I have signed-off a title on the wrong line, can I cross it out and sign on the correct line?

No, erasures or alterations VOID a Nebraska title. A spoiled (duplicate) must be issued.

Can I get a duplicate title from another county?

Yes, beginning January 2, 2003 you can obtain a duplicate Nebraska title in any county.

I have a lien on my out-of-state title, how can I register my vehicle?

We need the name and address of your lien holder and the vehicle registration. We will send for the original title and security agreement. Upon receipt of this paperwork you will be send a post card notifying you that the vehicle must be inspected. The Nebraska title will be issued and sent back to the lien holder. A licensing copy will be available for you to obtain your plates. There is a $17.00 title/lien notation fee.

Can my lien holder fax a copy of my title to issue the new Nebraska title?

No, the original documents are needed to issue a new Nebraska title.

I changed my name as a result of marriage, divorce, or etc. Do I need to change my title or registration?

Change as a result of divorce; the party receiving the vehicle should bring a copy of the divorce settlement and the old title and obtain a new title and registration.

If due to marriage it is up to the individual. However, to change the name on the registration requires that the title be changed also. Bring the old title and certified marriage license to obtain a new title and registration. If name is changed for another legal reason, bring in the certifying document for our review.

One of the owners on the vehicle is deceased. Do I need to change the title or registration?

That is up to the remaining owner(s). However, to change the registration the title must be changed. Bring in the old title and death certificate to change the title and registration.