The Nebraska Application for Certificate of Title, known as Form RV-707, is the document every vehicle owner files with their County Treasurer to prove legal ownership of a car, truck, motorboat, or trailer in Nebraska. You file it within 30 days of buying or bringing a vehicle into the state, and you pay a $10 title fee at the same time.
This form may look short, but each blank carries weight. A wrong VIN, a missing signature, or the wrong survivorship box can send your paperwork back and delay your plates. Nebraska processes hundreds of thousands of title transactions each year through its 93 county treasurer offices, and clerks reject applications every day for small, fixable errors. This guide walks you through the current Form RV-707, revised 7/2018, box by box, so yours clears the first time.
Here is what you will learn:
- 📋 What each section of Form RV-707 asks and exactly how to answer it
- 🚗 Which documents and ID numbers to gather before you start
- 🏛️ Where to file, what it costs, and how long it takes at the County Treasurer
- ⚠️ The field-level mistakes that get titles rejected and how to dodge them
- ❓ Field-specific answers to the questions most Nebraska filers ask
What Form RV-707 Is and Who Must File It
Form RV-707 is the State of Nebraska Application for Certificate of Title. A Certificate of Title is the legal record that says who owns a vehicle, and only one title can exist for the same vehicle at any time. You use Form RV-707 to ask the state to issue that title in your name. The form covers cars, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, and motorboats.
You must file this form if you bought a vehicle, received one as a gift, inherited one, or moved to Nebraska with a vehicle titled in another state. Nebraska law under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-144 makes the County Treasurer responsible for issuing and filing titles, and it says the application must be made on the form the department prescribes. That form is RV-707. Ignoring this rule means you cannot register the vehicle or get license plates.
The deadline is firm. A Certificate of Title must be issued within 30 days of the purchase date. Miss that window and the County Treasurer adds a late penalty before you can finish, as Sarpy County warns with its $5-plus-interest late fee. The title fee itself is a flat $10 payable to the County Treasurer, and you must bring proper proof of ownership with the form.
One common point of confusion: in Nebraska, you do not mail this to a central state DMV office. Titles are issued at the county level, and you can title in any county on the Motor Vehicle Offices list. The state DMV sets the rules and the form, but your local treasurer does the work.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before you open Form RV-707. Walking into the treasurer’s office with a missing document is the top reason filers make a second trip. Each item ties to a specific blank on the form or a fee at the counter.
- Proof of ownership. You need either the Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO) for a brand-new vehicle or the prior Certificate of Title, properly assigned to you by the seller. Without it, the treasurer cannot issue a title and may steer you toward a bonded title instead.
- Bill of sale. This shows the purchase price the treasurer uses to calculate sales tax. A missing or vague price can lead the office to estimate tax higher than you owe.
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Copy it exactly from the title or the dashboard plate. A single wrong character creates a mismatched record that can void the title.
- Odometer reading. The signed-over title must show the odometer disclosure for most vehicles under 20 years old. A blank odometer field stalls the transfer.
- Your driver’s license or ID. The form asks for your Nebraska Driver’s License Number, and the clerk checks your photo ID at the counter.
- Social Security Number or EIN. The form requests an SSN for individuals or an Employer Identification Number for a business owner.
- Lien paperwork. If a bank or credit union financed the vehicle, bring a copy of the lien instrument and the lienholder’s name and PLID, because the lien section requires it.
- Proof of Nebraska insurance. You need this to register and get plates in the same visit, so bring your current policy card.
- VIN inspection certificate (out-of-state only). A vehicle entering Nebraska on an out-of-state title needs a VIN inspection before the transfer can process, usually a $10 service at the county.
- Payment. Bring funds for the $10 title fee, any sales tax, motor vehicle tax, and registration fees. Call ahead, since accepted payment methods vary by county.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You can download Form RV-707 free from the Nebraska DMV forms page or grab a copy at any County Treasurer office. Many county sites also host the PDF directly, such as the Sarpy County RV-707. Print it single-sided on plain white paper, since clerks scan it.
Confirm you have the current version before you write anything. The form prints its revision date in the corner, and the active version is revised 7/2018. Using an outdated layout with different box order can confuse the clerk and slow your visit.
You may fill the form by hand in black ink or type it using a fillable PDF tool. Type it if your handwriting is hard to read, because the first 35 characters of the owner name are what print on the actual title. Whatever you choose, do not sign it until you are at the counter or in front of a notary if your county requires witnessed signatures.
If you cannot get proof of ownership from a seller, you are not stuck. Nebraska allows a Bonded Certificate of Title in those cases, where you post a surety bond and the treasurer holds your evidence. Ask your county about this path before you start the standard form.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form RV-707 Line by Line
Form RV-707 is organized into numbered sections. Fill them in order. Below, each section or key field gets its own walkthrough so you know what it asks, how to answer, and what goes wrong if you slip.
Section 1: Vehicle or Motorboat Description — Identification Number
This field asks for the Vehicle Identification Number, the unique code that names your exact vehicle. Copy the VIN from the assigned title or the manufacturer’s statement of origin, character for character, in all capital letters with no spaces. For example, Maria Lopez writes 1HGCM82633A004352 in the VIN box, matching her old title exactly.
If your VIN is shorter than 17 characters because the vehicle is older or a trailer, write only what appears on the source document. The most common mistake here is transposing two characters or reading a zero as the letter O, which creates a record that does not match state and federal databases and can void the title later. Many people think the clerk will fix typos, but the clerk types what you wrote, so a VIN error follows the vehicle for years.
Section 1: Year, Make, Model, Body Style, and Color
These fields ask for the basic identity of the vehicle: model year, manufacturer, model name, the body type, and the color. Pull the year, make, and model straight from your proof of ownership rather than memory. For example, Maria enters 2003 in Year, HONDA in Make, ACCORD in Model, 4-Door Sedan in Body Style, and Silver in Color.
If your vehicle was repainted a different color than the title shows, list the current real color so an officer who stops you sees a match. A common mistake is guessing the model trim instead of the model line, which can mismatch the title. Some filers believe color is cosmetic and skip it, but the treasurer needs every description box completed to issue the title.
Section 1: GVWR, Capacity/Propulsion, and Taxi Use
This part asks for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, the seating capacity or fuel type, and whether the vehicle is used as a taxi. Find the GVWR on the driver-door sticker and copy the number. For example, Marcus, titling a work pickup, writes 6,800 in GVWR, Gasoline under Propulsion, and checks No for Taxi Use.
If you are titling a passenger car, the propulsion line is where you note gas, diesel, or electric. The Taxi Use box matters because it changes how the vehicle is taxed and insured, so a wrong “Yes” can inflate your fees. People often leave GVWR blank on cars, but trucks and trailers need it, and a missing weight can delay a commercial registration.
Section 1: Brand Boxes — Salvage, Flood, and Others
Across the top of Section 1 sit checkboxes for Salvage, Previously Salvaged, Flood, Non-Transferable, and Manufacturer Buyback. These are title “brands” that warn future buyers about the vehicle’s history. Check a box only if the prior title or paperwork carries that brand. For example, Janet, titling a flood-damaged car she rebuilt, checks the Flood box because her assigned title is branded.
If your vehicle has a clean history, leave every brand box empty. The biggest mistake is hiding a known brand to make the car look cleaner, which is a false statement on a sworn form and can mean a fine, imprisonment, or canceled title. Many people think a rebuilt car earns a clean title once repaired, but Nebraska carries the brand forward.
Section 2: Survivorship Choice for Multiple Owners
Before the names, the form asks if co-owners want clear rights of survivorship. Choosing No joins names with “And” and means probate is needed to transfer after a death. Choosing Yes joins names with “Or” and passes ownership to the surviving owner when a death certificate is shown. For example, a married couple, Tom and Rosa Vance, check Yes so Rosa keeps the car outright if Tom dies.
If you are the only owner, skip this question entirely. The most costly mistake is checking No or leaving it blank when you wanted survivorship, because that forces your co-owner through probate court for a single car. Many people assume marriage automatically grants survivorship, but on a Nebraska title it depends on this exact box.
Section 2: Owner Name — Last, First, Middle
This field asks for the first owner’s legal name, broken into last or business name, first name, and middle name. Write it exactly as it appears on your driver’s license, since only the first 35 characters print on the title. For example, Maria writes LOPEZ in last name, MARIA in first name, and ELENA in middle name.
If you own the vehicle under a business, put the company’s legal name in the last/business name box and leave first and middle blank. A common mistake is using a nickname or maiden name that does not match your ID, which causes a record mismatch and can delay registration. People think the order does not matter, but the title prints last name first, so reversing them garbles your name on the document.
Section 2: Owner Identification Numbers and Date of Birth
This field asks for your Nebraska Driver’s License Number, Social Security Number or EIN, and Date of Birth. Enter your driver’s license number exactly as printed, your nine-digit SSN, and your birth date in MM/DD/YYYY format. For example, Maria enters her license number, her SSN, and 03/14/1985 in Date of Birth.
If you are a business owner, use the EIN box instead of the SSN box. The most common mistake is mixing up the SSN and license number fields, which scrambles the identity check and stalls the file. Some filers fear giving their SSN, but the state uses it to confirm identity and prevent fraud, and the number does not print on the public title.
Section 2: Second and Third Owner Information
If the vehicle has more than one owner, the form gives blanks for a 2nd and 3rd owner with the same name, ID, and birth date fields. Fill these only if those people will be on the title. If there are more than three owners, attach a second application. For example, Tom and Rosa Vance each complete a full owner block, with Tom as owner 1 and Rosa as owner 2.
If you have a single owner, leave these blocks blank rather than writing “N/A,” which can clutter the scan. A frequent mistake is adding a co-owner casually without realizing both then must sign and both gain legal rights to sell. People assume adding a child or spouse is harmless, but it gives that person an equal ownership claim.
Section 2: Transfer on Death Beneficiary
This field lets you name a Transfer on Death (TOD) beneficiary who inherits the vehicle when the last surviving owner dies. Write the beneficiary’s full name in the 1st TOD box, and a second name in the 2nd TOD box if you want a backup. For example, Janet names her son, DANIEL REED, as her 1st TOD beneficiary so the car skips probate.
If you do not want a TOD beneficiary, leave both boxes empty. The main mistake is naming a TOD beneficiary and also adding them as a co-owner, which creates conflicting claims. Many people confuse TOD with co-ownership, but a TOD beneficiary has no rights to the vehicle while you are alive.
Section 2: Owner’s Residential and Mailing Address
This field asks for your residential address and, separately, your mailing address, each with city, state, and ZIP. Write your physical street address on the residential line. For example, Marcus writes 4120 Dodge St, Omaha, NE 68131 as his residential address.
If your mail goes to a P.O. Box, put the box on the mailing line but keep a real street address on the residential line, since the county determines your tax district by where the vehicle is garaged. The common mistake is using only a P.O. Box, which can place you in the wrong tax district and miscalculate your motor vehicle tax. People think one address covers both, but the form keeps them separate on purpose.
Section 3: Lien Information
This section asks whether a lender holds a lien on the vehicle, and it carries a $7.00 lien notation fee. Check Yes if you financed the vehicle, then enter the Lien Holder Name and PLID and attach a copy of the lien instrument. For example, Marcus checks Yes, writes FIRST NEBRASKA BANK as lien holder, and attaches his loan agreement.
If you paid cash and own the vehicle free and clear, check No and skip the rest. The most common mistake is checking No while a loan exists, which can later block the lender from being recorded and create a legal tangle. Many people think the dealer always handles the lien, but when you self-file you must list it yourself or the title prints without the lender noted.
Signature Block: Sworn Statement and Signatures
At the bottom, the form is a sworn statement that the information is true, and all listed owners must sign. Sign your name, print it, and date it in MM/DD/YYYY format. For example, Maria signs her name, prints MARIA LOPEZ, and dates it 06/05/2026.
Spouses get an exception: where co-owners are spouses, one spouse may sign for both, and a guardian may sign for a minor or disabled owner. The worst mistake here is leaving a required owner’s signature blank, which voids the application on the spot. People believe an electronic or photocopied signature works, but the treasurer needs an original wet signature, and a false statement can bring a fine or imprisonment.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three common situations, each following one person through the most important fields of Form RV-707. Use the one closest to your own case as a model.
Scenario 1: Maria buys a used car from a private seller. Maria bought a 2003 Honda Accord for $4,200 and files within 30 days.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| VIN | 1HGCM82633A004352, copied exactly from the assigned title |
| Year / Make / Model | 2003 / HONDA / ACCORD |
| Body Style / Color | 4-Door Sedan / Silver |
| Brand boxes | All left blank, clean history |
| Survivorship | Skipped, single owner |
| Owner name | LOPEZ / MARIA / ELENA |
| Owner ID and DOB | License number, SSN, 03/14/1985 |
| Residential address | 2210 N 58th St, Lincoln, NE 68504 |
| Lien | Checks No, paid cash |
| Signature | Signs, prints MARIA LOPEZ, dates 06/05/2026 |
Scenario 2: David, a new resident, titles an out-of-state vehicle. David moved from Iowa with a 2018 Toyota RAV4 and first gets a VIN inspection.
| Form Section | What David Enters |
|---|---|
| VIN | 2T3P1RFV5JW012345, verified by VIN inspection |
| Year / Make / Model | 2018 / TOYOTA / RAV4 |
| Body Style / Color | 4-Door SUV / Blue |
| Brand boxes | All blank |
| Survivorship | Skipped, single owner |
| Owner name | NGUYEN / DAVID / MINH |
| Residential address | 815 S 13th St, Omaha, NE 68102 |
| Lien | Checks Yes, lists IOWA CREDIT UNION and PLID |
| Attachment | Copy of lien instrument and out-of-state title |
| Signature | Signs, prints DAVID NGUYEN, dates the visit |
Scenario 3: Rosa inherits her late husband’s truck with survivorship. Tom and Rosa held the truck with rights of survivorship, and Rosa now retitles it.
| Form Section | What Rosa Enters |
|---|---|
| VIN | 1FTFW1ET5DFA12345, from the existing title |
| Year / Make / Model | 2013 / FORD / F-150 |
| Body Style / Color | Pickup / Red |
| Survivorship | Title was “Or,” so she presents the death certificate |
| Owner name | VANCE / ROSA / MARIE |
| Owner ID and DOB | License number, SSN, 07/22/1960 |
| Residential address | 4120 Pine St, Grand Island, NE 68801 |
| TOD beneficiary | Names DANIEL VANCE as 1st TOD |
| Lien | Checks No, truck is paid off |
| Signature | Signs, prints ROSA VANCE, dates the visit |
How to File the Completed Form
Nebraska titles are filed at the County Treasurer office, and you have a few channels depending on your county.
In person (the standard route). Take Form RV-707, your proof of ownership, bill of sale, ID, insurance, and payment to your county treasurer. The $10 title fee is payable to the County Treasurer, plus 5.5% state sales tax and any local option tax on the purchase price, a $7 lien notation if applicable, and your registration fees. Accepted payment methods vary by county, so call first; many take cash, check, or card. Most counties issue the title and plates the same day, and your stamped receipt is your proof of filing.
By mail. Some counties accept mailed title applications. Send the completed form, proof of ownership, copies of supporting documents, and a check for the fees to your county treasurer’s mailing address listed on the Motor Vehicle Offices page. Mailed titles take longer, often one to three weeks, and you should keep a copy of everything and use trackable mail as your proof of filing.
Out-of-state vehicles. Get the VIN inspection done first, usually a $10 service at the county, then file in person. Apportioned vehicles over 26,000 pounds that cross state lines are the one exception to county filing and go through Motor Carrier Services instead.
Keep your receipt and a copy of the completed form. If your title is mailed later, that receipt is your proof you filed on time.
What Happens After You File
After the treasurer accepts your Form RV-707 and fees, the office enters your vehicle into the Vehicle Title and Registration System maintained by the state DMV. The county then prints and issues your Certificate of Title, often the same day for in-person filings. This title is the legal proof that you own the vehicle.
If you noted a lien, the title shows the lienholder, and in many cases the county sends the title to your lender to hold until you pay off the loan. You receive a registration and plates separately so you can drive legally. Keep the title in a safe place, not in the glovebox, since it is the document you sign over when you sell.
If the office finds an error after you leave, it may contact you to correct and re-sign the form, which can delay your title. This is why a careful first filing matters. Once issued, only one valid title exists, and you will need that exact document to transfer ownership later.
If you ever lose the title, you do not refile RV-707 from scratch; you order a duplicate using the related Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title at your county treasurer.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Wrong or transposed VIN. A single off character creates a mismatched record that can void the title.
- Using a nickname instead of legal name. It will not match your ID, and the county may reject the file.
- Leaving a required signature blank. The application is a sworn statement, and a missing owner signature voids it.
- Checking the wrong survivorship box. Picking “And” instead of “Or” can force your co-owner through probate.
- Hiding a salvage or flood brand. This is a false sworn statement that can bring a fine or canceled title.
- Checking “No” on the lien question when a loan exists. The lender may not get recorded, creating a legal mess.
- Missing the 30-day deadline. The county adds a late penalty before it will process your title.
- Using only a P.O. Box for residence. It can place you in the wrong tax district and miscalculate your tax.
- Forgetting the VIN inspection on out-of-state vehicles. The transfer cannot process without it.
- Bringing the wrong proof of ownership. Without an MSO or properly assigned title, the county cannot issue a title.
- Skipping the bill of sale. The county needs the purchase price to calculate sales tax correctly.
- Assuming the dealer filed it. On a self-file or private sale, no one files for you, and the deadline still runs.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Do copy the VIN character for character, because one wrong digit follows the vehicle for years.
- Do file within 30 days, because late filing adds penalties at the counter.
- Do bring your proof of ownership, because the county cannot issue a title without it.
- Do call your county first, because accepted payment methods and mail options differ by county.
- Do match your name to your ID exactly, because mismatches stall the identity check.
- Do keep your receipt, because it is your proof you filed on time.
Don’t:
- Don’t sign before you understand the survivorship and lien boxes, because they change who owns the car.
- Don’t hide a title brand, because a false sworn statement can bring criminal penalties.
- Don’t use only a P.O. Box for your residence, because it can misplace your tax district.
- Don’t guess at the purchase price, because the bill of sale sets your sales tax.
- Don’t skip the VIN inspection for out-of-state vehicles, because the transfer will not process.
- Don’t store the issued title in your car, because losing it forces a duplicate order.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing on Your Own | Filing With a Dealer or Service |
|---|---|
| Saves money, since you pay only the $10 title fee and taxes, not a service charge | Saves time, since the dealer or service handles the paperwork for you |
| Gives you full control over how names, survivorship, and liens are entered | Reduces your error risk, since pros file these forms daily |
| Builds your understanding of the title for future sales or transfers | Helps with tricky cases like out-of-state, inherited, or branded titles |
| No waiting on a third party to act on your behalf | Convenient if you cannot reach the county during business hours |
| Direct contact with the county clerk to fix any issue on the spot | Often bundles title and registration into one smooth dealer transaction |
| You may miss a nuance, like the survivorship box, that a pro would catch | Costs an added fee on top of the state fees |
| You must make the trip and wait in line yourself | You give up direct control over how each field is completed |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I file Form RV-707 with the state DMV or my county?
No. You file with your County Treasurer, since titles are issued at the county level in Nebraska. The state DMV sets the form and rules, but the county does the work.
How long do I have to title a vehicle in Nebraska?
Yes, there is a deadline: a title must be issued within 30 days of the purchase date. Filing late means a penalty fee at the county counter.
How much does the title cost?
Yes, there is a set fee: the title fee is a flat $10 payable to the County Treasurer, plus sales tax and a $7 lien notation if you financed.
In Section 2, do I write my last name or first name first?
Yes, order matters: write your last or business name in the first box, then first and middle. Only the first 35 characters print on the title.
In the survivorship question, should I pick “Yes” or “No”?
Yes joins co-owners with “Or” and passes the vehicle to the survivor; No joins them with “And” and requires probate. Choose based on your estate wishes.
Do I have to complete the lien section if I paid cash?
No. Check “No” on the lien question and skip the rest if you own the vehicle free and clear. Only financed vehicles need the lienholder details.
Can my spouse sign Form RV-707 for me?
Yes. Where co-owners are spouses, one spouse may sign as agent for the other. A guardian may also sign for a minor or disabled owner.
Do I need a VIN inspection?
Yes, if the vehicle was titled out of state. A VIN inspection is required before the transfer can process, and it usually costs about $10 at the county.
In the TOD box, can I name the same person as a co-owner?
No. A TOD beneficiary inherits only after the last owner dies and has no rights while you live. Naming them as both creates conflicting claims.
What proof of ownership do I bring?
Yes, you need one of two things: a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin for a new vehicle, or the prior Certificate of Title properly assigned to you.
What if I never got a title from the seller?
Yes, there is a path: you may qualify for a Bonded Certificate of Title, where you post a bond and the county holds your evidence of ownership.
Is sales tax due when I title the vehicle?
Yes, for most vehicles sales tax may be paid within 30 days of purchase, though mobile homes and cabin trailers must pay before the title is issued.
Can I title my vehicle in a different county than where I live?
Yes. Titles may be issued in any county, but your tax district is based on where the vehicle is garaged, so registration follows your home county.
What happens if I make a false statement on the form?
No, you should never do that: the form is sworn, and a false statement can bring a fine, imprisonment, or cancellation of your title.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Iowa DOT Application for Certificate of Title (411007) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Nebraska DMV Application for Duplicate Title + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Nebraska DMV Bill of Sale (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Nebraska DMV Vehicle Registration Application + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the New Hampshire Application for Certificate of Title (Form TDMV 23) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out New Hampshire DMV Application for Duplicate Title (Form TDMV 18) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Delaware DMV Application for Duplicate Title (Form MV213) + FAQs