$BillOfSale.app

Free Nebraska Vehicle Bill of Sale

Nebraska does not publish an official DMV bill of sale form — any written document that captures the key transaction details is legally sufficient. Sales tax of 5.5% (plus local rates up to 7.25% in Omaha and Lincoln) is paid by the buyer to the county treasurer when the title is transferred, which must happen within 30 days of the sale. Federal odometer disclosure is required for vehicles under 10 years old.

Nebraska Requirements: Transfer title within 30 days. 5.5% sales tax.

Seller Information

Buyer Information

Vehicle Details

Sale Information

Condition & Warranty

Free PDF includes a small watermark at the bottom. Remove it for €4.99.

Nebraska Vehicle Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
5.5%
Title Required
Yes
Nebraska title certificate required; title transfer must be completed within 30 days of sale. County treasurer issues the new title — bring the signed title, bill of sale, and odometer disclosure to your county treasurer's office.
Inspection
Not required

Sales Tax Details

State sales/use tax is 5.5%. Local rates apply on top: Douglas County (Omaha) reaches 7%, Lancaster County (Lincoln) reaches 7.25%. Buyer pays the tax to the county treasurer at time of titling.

Inspection Requirements

Nebraska does not require a safety inspection for private-party vehicle sales. Out-of-state vehicles require a VIN verification before the county treasurer will issue a Nebraska title.

Registration

Registration for this vehicle type is handled by County Treasurer — not the same agency that handles cars in Nebraska. Plan for separate filings.

Nebraska Vehicle Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

  1. Write a bill of sale recording seller name, buyer name, addresses, date, sale price, year/make/model, VIN, and odometer reading
  2. Seller signs the back of the Nebraska certificate of title over to the buyer, including odometer disclosure in the title's designated field
  3. If a lien appears on the title, obtain a signed lien release from the lienholder before the sale closes
  4. Complete a separate federal Odometer Disclosure Statement if the title form does not include an odometer section
  5. Buyer takes the signed title, bill of sale, and odometer disclosure to the county treasurer within 30 days to transfer title and pay sales/use tax
  6. Out-of-state vehicles require a VIN inspection at a Nebraska DMV office or authorized inspector before the county treasurer will title the vehicle
  7. Both parties keep a signed copy of the bill of sale for their records

Common Pitfalls

  • Missing the 30-day title-transfer deadline triggers penalty fees at the county treasurer — don't wait
  • Failing to get a lien release when the title shows a lienholder; the county treasurer will reject a title transfer without it
  • Underreporting the sale price on the bill of sale to reduce tax; county treasurers compare sale price to book value and can challenge suspiciously low figures
  • Skipping the odometer disclosure for a vehicle under 10 years old — this is a federal violation, not just a state oversight
  • Relying on a handshake deal; without a written bill of sale the buyer has no proof of purchase and the seller has no proof the vehicle changed hands

Pro Tip

Keep your signed bill of sale and odometer disclosure permanently — they establish the date of sale and protect both parties if a dispute arises after the transaction.

Nebraska Vehicle Bill of Sale — FAQs

Does Nebraska have an official bill of sale form for vehicles?
No. The Nebraska DMV does not publish a mandatory bill of sale form. Any written document that identifies both parties, the vehicle (including VIN and odometer), the sale price, and the date of sale is acceptable. The signed certificate of title is the core ownership document.
How much sales tax will I pay when I title a car in Nebraska?
The state rate is 5.5%. If you are titling in Douglas County (Omaha) the combined rate is 7%; in Lancaster County (Lincoln) it is 7.25%. You pay this to the county treasurer when you go to transfer the title — it is calculated on the sale price stated on the bill of sale.
I bought a car from out of state — is there anything extra I need to do?
Yes. Nebraska requires a VIN verification for any vehicle being titled in Nebraska for the first time. You can get this done at a Nebraska DMV office or through a law enforcement agency. Bring the verification along with the out-of-state title and bill of sale to the county treasurer.
What happens if I miss the 30-day title transfer window?
The county treasurer will charge a late title penalty. The longer you wait, the higher the fee. There is no grace period, so plan to complete the transfer as soon as possible after the sale.
The seller's title shows a lien. What do I need?
You need a signed, written lien release from the financial institution listed on the title. The county treasurer will not transfer title to a new owner if an active lien is shown and no release is presented.